Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-07-01
The New City Government.

City Council.
The City Council met at 10 o'clock in Har-
monte Hall, quorum appearing in both branch
es. There was large number OF spectators
inattendance Mayor Latham aud Mayor elect,
Berkeley, were present In the cham Der OF the
Board of Aldermen, aud were in conversation.
Board Of 4dtoleymcn In the Board OF Alder
men there were present, Messrs. Simpson, Mar
ke, French, Loving, Underwood, Corsc, John
son and Seaton.
The Board was called to order by Mr.. jamie
son, clerk, when Mr.. Markell nominated Mr..
Simpson for President. The nomination was
seconded by MIR. Underwood, when, upon mo
tioD of Mr.. Seatun, the election was made
UNANIMOUS
Mr. Simpson returned his thanks for the
honor conferred, and trusted that the action OF
the Board would entitle the members to the
plaudits of their constituents.
Mr. Latham, ex-otlicio, Justice OF the Peace,
then administered the oath Of office to MIR.
Simpson, who in turn administered the oath
to the newly elected members, McsSrS. French,
Loving. johnson and Seaton.
DIR. johnson moved to postpone the election
of clerk of the Board until the adoption OF the
Salary bill, and urged Il reduction Of the salary
of that officer.
On motion of Mr.. French, the rules Of order
of the last Board were adopted.
The motion to defer the election OF clerk was
then taken up and,
Mr. French opposed Il reduction OF the salary
of the clerk or of any other officer who was
competent
DIR. johnson said clerk could be obtained
who would do the work for 500 per night,
and that the salary at present was $3.50
Mr., French conendcd that there would be
no economy in the proposed reduction
y iuesSagc was received from the Common
Council notifying the Board Of the organization
of that Board.
Mr. French, continuing, said he was in favor
of the reelection of all the old officers whose
duties had been properly performed, and ut the
DIR. johnson further argued in favor OF re-
duction.
Mr. French moved to lay the resolution on
the table, which motion prevailed.
DIR. johnson offered u bill reducing the salary
of the Mayor from $500 to $500 with . per ct.
commission on the licenses issued by him. He
said he meant no reflection on the new Mayor.
but was for reducing the salaries Of all the
officers, and the sun thus saved could 90 to re-
pairing the streets and making people comfort
able. "A ride over these streets for Que year
would send any man S soul to hell.
Mr. French moved to lay the bill on the table,
and thought it in bad taste to Introduce 1t at
this time, just when Il gentleman Of opposite
political views had been elected. lie was op-
posed to these attempted innovations, and con
tended that the bill was unconstitutional, "a the
salary OF an officer could not be reduced alter
he was Installed.
Mr. Seatou conceded with the views Of Mr.
French
Mr.. Markell was in favor of cutting down
the salaries, but did not see how it could be
done at this time
DR.. johnson replied and contcndcd that no
attack upon the newly elected Mayor was mcut,
but that he was for reducing all salaries and
thereby reducing taxes.
The motion to lay the bill on the table pre-
vailed, and the members OF the Board proceed
ed to the chamber Of the Common Council,
where Mr.. Berkeley was sworn in as Mayor.
On returning to their chamber a resolution
to have 100 copies Of the rules OF order prlut-
ed was adopted
The resolution to defer the election of clerk
was then taken up, and opposed by Mr. French,
and advocated by Dr. Johnson, aud the vote
being taken upon its adoption by ayes and
noes, resulted ayes 3, noes +.
The Chair declared the resolution lost, where
upon,
Dr. johnson, with an exclamation, said that
the resolution was not lost. ''Hc saw the game.
When it was necessary, it required five to pass
resolution, but when not, three or four we're
only required. There was a law in the case
and he intended to hold the Board to that law.
The clerk and President explained that the
resolution had only received three votes and
therefore could not have passed, and the Chair
again decided that the resolution was lost.
= ln, lnl a tbn al oT
a clerk. when,
Mr.. Freuch nominated J. j. Jamicson for
reelection.
Dr. johnson nominated j. r. Cation.
Mr.. Seaton nominated VIM LyIes, but sub
scqucntly withdrew his name, and the vote be-
ing taken, resulted: Jameson &, Cation |. 80
Mr. Janicson was declared elected
Mr.. French then nominated for messenger
Lcmucl j. Robey and paid that gentlemen Il
high compliment fer his usefulness and cf-
ficicncy.
Mr.. Markell then moved to make the cleo
ton unanimous, which motion prevailed and
Mr.. Robcy was declared unanimously elected
messenger of the Board
On motion of Mr. Seaton the Board then
adjourned.
The President stated that he would announce
the stardiDg committees at the next meeting.
Cinnamon C0nncI-At a little after ten
O'Clock, Harold Snowden, the Clerk Of the last
Board, called the roll Of the members elect, and
all answered to their names except Mcssrs
Beach, Portncr and Mankin, Of the Sd Ward.
The first business in order being the election
of President, Mr. Hopkins nominated G.
r. Shinn and hoped his election would be de-
clared unanimous
Mr.. Claggctt was well satisfied with Mr.
Shinu's course as presiding officer of the last
Board, but would nominate Mr.. Joseph Hop
kins for that position.
MIR. Hopkins was oblig to the member but
again desired the unanimous election of Mr. |
Shinn.
A ballot being taken the result was announced
as follows: Shinn s, Hopkins 2 So Mr. Shnn
was dc clarcd elected
Mr. Shnn took the chair, and the oath of
office having been administered TO him by May
or Latham, in few appropriate remarks, cx
pressed his thanks to the Board for the honor
conferred upon him and his intention of dis