Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-04-23
ng (passed by the Common Couucil com.

Dr. johnson said the only objection he had
was that such work should be put out by con-
tract.
Col French said, with all due Difference to
DR.. Us. optnlyn, that lightning rods were
something which Guild not easily be contracted
for. 1t they were not properly pu' up there
would be no utility in ,hem. ].
DIR. johnson said the Committee on Public
Property were no judges of lightning rods. 1t
withdraw bis objection. a..
The action of the Common Council was con-
Cured in. .n
DIR. johnson then introduced bill fixing the
salaries of the Mayor and Auditor, the former
at $500 per anuum, with the usual fees for the
use vi the seal security i 900; the Auditor
to receive 800, and to collect the licenses, for
which he is to be allowed .! per cent; bond TO
be equal to the license tax to be colltctcd IN
addition to usual amount, and deposits to be
made with Treasurer daily.
COL French moved that the bill be laid on
the table The Common Council Rad passed a
resolution directing the Finance Committee to
draw up bill fixing the salaries of the differ
ent officers, which would cover ALL If bills
were drawn up for the purpose Of fixing the
salaries Of one or two corporation officers, there
would be no end to the discussion.
Dr. johnson hoped Col. 1. would withdraw
his motion. The bill before the Board was de-
signed to meet the wishes of the people, as
everybody wanted the salaries Of the Mayor
and Auditor reduced. For instance, it took
two hours to attend to the duties OF the Mayors
Office You could get plenty of reliable gentle
men to take the position fer $500 year.
Col Freuch renewed his motion aud reitera-
ted his objections to the BILL $1,000 or 81 100
IL f., An
crlng what qualifications were required
discussion He (Dr j. Intended to expose
the doings of that gentleman He charged
Col. 1. with going to the ias Works and as
suriug the officers there employed that their
salaries should not be cut down, reducing one
officer pay at the expense OF another, &c.
He 1.-THE speakcr) would not allow such lnJus-
lice to he garfield on with lmpunlty.
Col. French said DR.. j. was wong IN max
ing such an attack on him. He denied the
allegations.
DR.. johnson said he knew the intent Of the
salary bill which the Finance Committee pro-
posed to prepare. 1t would reduce the Mayors
salary and Increase the pay Of some one else.
Col. French appealed to the President to
know it this was not the first time his motives
had been Impugned. What profit would 1t be
to him either way. lie did not want men
placed in positions Of such responsibility on
starvation pay. The Mayors salary was the
only one that could be reduced.
DR.. johnson said he did not prap"sc TO ni-
pugn Col F. motives, but 1t was fact ap-
parent that were other parties holding the po
sitiou of Auditor besides the present lncum-
bent he (Cul. f.. would not be 50 anxious
about keeping his salary up.
1Nho * hardly n
order.
DIR. j. continuing. When twcnty-thrcc mcm
brrs of the City Council were opposed to CIV
ing the Committee on Light power to elect
clerk of the Gas Works, Col. French was the
only man to object, and eventually defeated Il.
The people demanded the reduction OF the sal
aries of some OF the officers. aud it the present
inculn bents didn like it let them get out.
The President stated that he had known
Col. F. ong time; been in the Beard with
him, and members of the same church, and
never heard his integrity assaulted before.
Gen. Corse corroborated the Presidents
statements.
The bll! was laid on the table.
DIR. johnson called up his resolution in rcIa-
ton to the city charter, and proceeded to OK
press his views iu opposition to the instrument
and the mode of its adoption by the l@Sl<la,
ture and Council. lie deprecated the met hpd
of selecting officers by the Council instead OF
by popular vote, aud considered it as al atrlg-
ucul Of political privileges.
Col. French said he was sorry to have to
opposc Dr. j.. resolution, This was no time
10 reopen that question. The present charter
worked very we'll Under the old regime the
collectors of taxes we're often inundated, being
afraid tG distraIu for fear of losing votes. lie
knew it did not suit public appetite, but nc
was conscious he was doug ri ght in uphoIdlng
the present charter.
DR.. johnson said the passage of this charter
was an arbitrary act, deprvng intelligent people
of the right to rule themselves. If Council took
their liberties from them they would max no
Scrapc in taking their money, also public SEN
timcnt should be respected; what was stronger!
Was the opinion Of the people TO be ignored by
corrupt and ignorant COunc linen 1t was an
insult to his dignity and intelligence in passing
such an instrument 1t was false to say that
collectors were utimidated in the collection Of
taxes before the passage of this charter.
Mr. Simpson said he never spread his sails
to catch the breeze 1t was time enough to
discuss the subject when Council was petition.
ed for change He defended the present Of
Ecers Of the corporatiou and said he would
advocate whatever measure he thought right,
without locking over his shoulder to see who
it affected.
DR. johnson said he was protesting against
having his rights iusultcd. One of the men
who had helped to pass this charter could not,
were it to save his soul from h-ll, repeat the
MULTIPLICATION table 1t was an insult to his
Intelligence for such men to pass laws to gov.
ern him. He was sorry to see there were two
members Of Council who cared nothing for pub
lie opinion. He would bet that were they re-
ouested they would not resign
The resolution was postponed, anu at 1850
the Board adjourned.
COMMON COUNCIL.
The attendance at the meeting Of the Com
mon Council, last night, both Within and with
out the bar, was small: ,,
referred the bill Of DR.. johnson for advances
mad in repairing the Friendship engine. house,
reported the bill back without action Tor the
reason that one of the members OF the commit
Il. Van,