Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-10-15
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.

BOARD OF ALDERMEN
As Messrs French and Loving had resi- gned
and Judge Underwood was out Of the city, 1t
required the presence Of all the other members
to constitute quorum, but by half past seven
clock all of those had arrived, and the meet
lug was held, with, however, but three or four
spectators. All the little business transacted
was done without debate, except the acceptance
Of Col. French 5 resignation.
| The resignation read as follows:
To Samuel f. Jumey, esq, President Boanl
Of Aldermen:
| SIR II hereby tender my resignation as a
member of the Board of Aldermen from the
Second Ward to take effect as soon as the elcc
ton for city officers is over, and request its ac
| ceptance. Very Respectfully,
July 18th. 1873. JAMES S. FRENCH
1t was endorsed, Laid over by Board Of Al
dermen July 22d, 1873. Not accepted by Board
of Aldermen August 18th, 1878
Mr. Seaton moved that the action of August
18th, be reconsidered and the resi- gnatlon ac
copied
DR.. johnson hoped the motion would not be
adopted. The resignation was made under the
impulse of wounded feelings and should not be
hastily accepted IF Col. French did net at
tend the meetings he should be fined. Such
action was incumbent upon the Board to pre-
serve its dignity.
Mr. Seaton said he understood that the re-
signation was brought about by au ''harauguc'
between COL French and the gentleman from
the Sd Ward, Or. Johnson) 10 which both Of
them had agreed to resign their positions; that
Col. French with his high toned honor had re-
sigucd in consequence OF that agreement and
that he the speaker, had too good an opinion
of the gentleman FROM the Sd Ward to suppose
that he would not do the same Col. French
had pcremptoriIy resigned, Mr.. Loving had
gone to live 10 distant part OF the country,
and it was difficult to get a quorum, and he
thought the resignation should be accepted at
once aud an election be ordered to Till the
vacancy.
Dr. Johoson said he would condcsccnd to an
swer the member from the 4th Ward 1t was
that when COL French had made its acceptance
conditional he, the speaker, was relieved from
all the obligation Of The agreement. He scorned
the position of Alderman; it was no honor to
hold it, but rather source OF annoyancci 1t
was once place of amusement, but now OF
pain. His constituents, however, had put bln
there and he Was going to remain untl his
term expired and do what he could for their
beue6t He would repeat the expression OF
his hope that the resignation OF Col. French
would not be accepted. 1t was made under the
influence Of deeply wounded feelings, and he
would say that if the groundcss charges
brought against Col. French had been made
against him, the speaker, he would have gone
guuuing for the two individuals who made
them early the next morning, and if they had
not retracted they would not have rested IN
their beds that night Col. French had not
said that he would ntver attend the meetings
again, though in meeting Of the monkey pol
ticiaus of the lst Ward il had been so stated.
Mr.. Moore said he had not thought that
gentlemen of such tone as the member from
the 81 Ward would condescend to use such ex-
prcssions as monkey politicians, aud asked what
he meant by that term.
DR.. Johnson said he meant the few who went
around and by cunning and trucking made the
voters catspaws to do their bidding.
The question was then called on the motion
to reconsider and accept the resignation and 1t
was adopted, DR., johnson alone voting In the
negative.
The following is Mr.. Loving letter Of rcsig-
nation:
Lov1SeSToS, VA, Sept 10, 1873.
To the Honorable Bonrd Cf aldermen, city Qf
Atccandria, Virginia:
When left Alexandria, few weeks since, L
expected to he present Mt the succeeding regular
meeting of the Board, being at that time unde
cided as to whether l would remain in the city
or remove to the country, and deferred to "lier
nv resignation as member OF the Board until
the question of proprIety demanded 1t. have
now to in orm your honorable body that hcreat-
ter I shall claim my residence here, in the county
of Nelson, and respectfully tender my rcsigna-
ton
As | shall not have the honor to be again pre-
IF tb,l I oh be roc
reant to my feelings were not TO express my
grateful acknowledgements for the kindness ex-
hlblted towards me in your deliberations, and to
assure you that l shall always feel identified
with the interest of Alexandria and her citizens.
The advantages have derived from her rcil-
gious institutions and unrivaI!cd hospitality are
SO impressed on my mind that am impelled to
love the good old city.
My faith in my legislative capacity never hay
ing induced me to seek political preternent, L
know not what may be the extent OF conhdcGce,
if any, | may have sustained before the Board
or my constituents doubtless, many have been
disappointed in the quiet way may have dis
posed Of the varieu questions involving their IN
terest, but l have the consolation OF knowing
that in whatever may have failed to do or un-
do in my official acts l have always aimed TO
discharge my duty.
| am pleased to say that your wise legis nton
towards the improvement of your city aw- kehs
lively interest among the people OF Nelson ara
that they are looking forward rs the result OF
YOUR lubors to drgree of prosperity for the
good old town which has never yet been realized
Your new City Hall, Street Cars and Board of
Public Works already give an impetus to the
prospects Of Alexandr!a that would rival the eli
iorls of u first class CITY. Hoping that you may
continue to ii stcr such good works, and that your
deliberations may BIZ in harmony with the Spirl:
of progress, viii h is so encouraging,
AIN, very respectfully,
Your obcdeht servant,
l.. l.. LOVING.
COMMON COUNCIL.
The proceedings of the Common Council
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