Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-10-09


held last night in their roons in Harmonic
Hall.
BOARD or ALDERMEN.
4 resolution was received from the common
Council authorizing the COMMITTEE on Hubllc
Property to repavc the side. walks III front VI
the new market building, when
Mr.. johnson suggested that it lie over until
the scatfolding, &c, was removed from the
new building.
Mir. Markell said the bricks could be .procur'
ed now on advantageous terms, aud the COM
mittee in pressing the matter were acting Tor
the good of the city.
Mr., French thought the resolution had bet
ter lie over, and stated his reasons.
The President was of the OPINION that II the
pavemcpt was laid now the grade could be
properly fixed. !,
Mr.. French then offered resolution that
the Committee on Public Property be author
| lied to proceed with the work IN manner
which will best conduce to the interests OF the
city, which was adopted.
MIR. Scaton presented petition from j.. H.
Davis, asking to be relieved OF this year taxes
ON his house, aud stated that the petitioner
| had been so unfortunate as to dlslocate his
| shoulder: was an old man, and at present could
barely procure the mere necessities OF HE He
favored granting the petition.
Mr. Markell moved that it be referred to the
Committee on Finance.
Mr.. French Inquired if, that was the proper
committee He thought it should 70 to the
Committee on Poor.
Mr.. Markell said the petitioner did not ask
aims; he merely wanted exemption.
Mr.. Seation again urged the granting or the
petition, and said the Board were assembled
| 4 Il ~, b,,
The resolution was referred to the Commit
tee on Claims.
Mr.. Markell offered resolution increasing
the pay of the police force SO Il year, and ad-
vocated its adoption.
Mr.. Seatou-What's their salary now?
The Presdcnt-About $500 year.
Mr.. Seaton said he concurred in the resolu-
ton, and offered an amendment that hereafter
they receive $50 q month.
| Mr. johnson was not opposed TO advancing
! their salary, but was avcrSe to increasing their
nav under, what he termed, the present detcc-
tive police laws There were too many police
men, and he had intended presenting bill re.
ducng the humber, increasing their pay, ana
arranging it so that they would be on duty
twelve hours and off the same time. There
was 10 regularity in the present system, and 1t
tended to make druukards and vagabonds OF
them. He knew members Of the police force
who, before they were elected, always paid him
| for his services and were punctual in settling
all their debts but now they paid nobody. He
dcfcd any one to show him single man who
had been on the force live years who was OF
any account whatever.
Mr.. Seaton was sorry to hear the member
from the Third Ward talk so about the Alex
andria police. He had known many Of the
present force all his life, aud had never seen
anything amiss in them. The pay which they
now receive was inadequate To meet all their
wants, and they should be better compensated
Tor the duty they performed. He had always
supposed a majority of them We're Christians;
Mr. Markell agreed with Mr.. Scaton, aud
said if any OF the policemen owed Mr.. johnson
anything they would pay him.
Mr.. johnson reiterated about the present
system leading them to be drunkards and vaga.
bonds. He was however, their true friend,
and considered it his duty to tell them of their
errors. He was in favor of making their pay
500 IA mouth; aud that they be continued on
the force during good behavior.
Mr. Seaton said Mr.. johnson S plan was an
impracticablc one. 4 man could not stay on
| duty - hours without sitting down. They Were
| ON but eight hours now. which was long enough,
and it would be iuhumau for Council to make
it twelve hours.
Mr.. johnson then offered resolution that
! the Police Board be instructed to prepare bill
providing for reduction of the number of po-
icemcn; that they be required to stay on duty
twelve hours that they receive $50 a month,
and that their term OF office be during good be-
haviour.
Mr. Loving seconded the resolution
Mr. johnson spoke III favor of the resolution.
Mr. French did not want this resolution
adopted as a substitute for the one offered by
Mr.. Markell, increasing their pay S25 year.
He hoped the first resolution would pass.
Mr. johnson said the Police Board was a
monstrosity; it had never worked we'll nor never
would. He advocated the adoption of his reso-
luton, and said it would be better also to pay
them by the week.
Mr. Seaton-The gentleman is fighting
mighty hard for notoriety, and he ought to
| have it.
The President called the member to order.
Mr.. Markets. resolution was adopted
The clerk read Mr.. johnson reso solution.
Mr. johnson said during his whole life he
had never done dishonorable act, nor should
any one accuse him OF such a thing. He had
never sought notoriety, but had merely said
what he believed to be right When he said
what he did he was looking in the future to see
what effect the resolution would have-that Was
the difference between an intelligent and an Or
binary view of any matter
TAT this point three or four different mes
sages were received from the Common Council
notifying the Board Of their readiness to adj
iourn.
Mr. j. s resolution was then referred to the
Police Board.
A communication from j. H. Russell and a
resolution remitting for ten years the ground
rent upon the Pioneer Mills property, were re-
ceived from the Common Council, when,
Mr. johnson said he could never consent to
that passing the Board. Council could not
make specially of one establishment The
Council we're acting under two superior powers,
the Constitutions of the United States and the
State of Virginia. The City Council could not
discriminate in this way, but should pass bill
excmpting all manufactures.
Mr. Simpson favored the exemption.
Mr. French spoke in favor of granting the
exemption of the property in question, and said
he had intended presenting bill making it a