Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-05-22

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is my imperial right to see and to talk as
please, provided [ an decorous and 10 order,
for | have a constituency to represent and |
will represent them. For myself | am 10 favor
of discussion, but am utterly opposed to the
constant habit of trotting out the individual
claims of incumbents when salaries are to be
apportioned. Fit the salary to the Office, not
10 the man; and any man capable of conduct
inc his own busiress knows that an employee
Wi collect more money if paid by per centage
than by stated salary.
Col. French-As the organ Of the Finance
Committee it is my duty to report the Salary
bill, and as that organ it is my duty to eudeavor
to pass IT, / Was willing to accept last years
bill and report it without amendment but 9th
ers thought differently, and the Council has
of the Market at 5000. For the accomplish
mcnt of the purpose of this meeting am dis
posed to acouiesce in their opinion If we don't
pass the bi. to ;ght the Salary bill Of 1872
will be that Of 1873.
The amendment was concurred in.
When the amendment reducing the Trcasur.
er's salary to $50 was read,
Dr. johnson said that as the Treasurer had
TO give bond Of 800, 900, and as his work did
not consist of one stroke OF his pen, but lasted
for 365 days. the cmolumeuts outside of the
salary must be exceedingly lucrative, for GER
tainly no man would otherwise consent to fill it
for the salary of $780,
Gen. Corse said that the salary asst stood be-
fore amended (S2OO) would not be sufficient to
nay for the clerical labor OF the oficerlf not 10
oank, where that labor was performed by clerks
as part of their regular duty. The average de-
posts would not amount to $4,000 day, the
Interest 90 which, at per Ct, would be two
| cb Inv roho urac frr,o
that the office Incidentally brought other bust
ness with it, His brother had held it several
years and took some prdein lt,and that be 1.-THE
speaker had moved to concur in the amend
mcnt because he had cOncurred in all the other
amendments.
Col. French sail t. at the money in the
Treasurer's hands was frequently deposited 10
the morning and drawn out before the after
noon; that sometimes drafts on him were honor
Cd when there was no money in his hands; that
the proposed salary was possibly inadequate,
but that he would take it upon himself to say
that the present incumbent from his interest
in the city welfare would rather the bill should
pass with this amendment than that any diff
Guilty should occur.
DR.. johnson said it was too big thing for
such small salary. Labor all the year and give
u bond Of 500, 900 for $50. 1t would not be
cOuSiStcut VI "OItuy VI lue DOdlu W aGIee. IIel
the salary remain at 5000. If any one earns
his salary it is the Treasurer Ifhe can make
this office incidentally beneficial it is his look
out. He would be doing himself injustice to
accept so small salary. Such a salary would
lead him into specializing with the peoples
money and make him say to the poor mechanic
who comes to him with orders, Il must have
heavy discount"
Gen Cursc-There is no danger of that from
the present Treasurer
Dr. Johuson-No, no danger from him. but
from his successor yet to be elected Danger
of specializing on the money in his hands
at the expense Of those who made it, and
at the expense Of those who had to 20 to
him with their little bills. He had the ut.
most confidence 10 the honesty and integrity Of
day and had taken great interest in his re-
nomination.
| The amendment was concurred in.
The amendment substituting one for four
physicians to the poor, and fixing his salary at
S4UO with 25 cts additional for every person
vaccinated being read,
Dr. johnson said one physician could not do
the work and would not. The poor are not at
tended to now by four physicians, and the poor
We're interested in this decrease of service
against the increase in the pay Of one. He then
described the appearance and condition Of
poor sick woman wanting medical attendance.
| He had known the poor to suffer from the want
of physician he had known them to 90 to
the physicians doors and pull the bells until
the wires came out; he had known them to be |
cursed and driven of, and then they had come
to him and lie had attended to their wants and |
paid money out Of his own pocket to supply |
| them with medicine. If the Board thought !
one physician would suffice let the members |
ask the Superintendent Of the Poors House |
| how hard it is to get any Of the four now APP |
| pointed to come there.
COL French said he had no doubt that the
members of the Common Council had as much |
sympathy and kindness for the poor as any
member in this Board anil that the reason
they had amended the section Was TO make the |
salary, now so small as to be Insignificant, suf
fcent to induce physician to attend to the |
Office properly and that with the salary of 81 70 |
and what he would receive additionally from |
his vaccinating fees would enable him to live |
DIR. JUhnson-The secret Of the amendment |
then, it has cropped our is to give the officer |
support. -.3
COL FreGch-Anatler bill has been proposed, |
which think will pass, with reference to a
change in the management of the Aims House |
and the change 10 the section now under cnsid- |
Grafton has an intimate connection with that |
BILL
DR.. Johnson-Thc bill cannot pass. It will
be impossible to find in any "a men inhuman
enough to farm out the Poor's House to an
avarcious and unprincipled contractor. The |
amendment was coucurred in.
The President said the bill would now be |
put upon its passage.
Mr.. Markell said he was opposed to the in
crease in the Auditors salary and he didn't
care if the bill fell through he was going to
vote against that increase
COL French moved to adjourn.
DR.. johnson said it was not in order to move
an adjournment when member was on the
floor Tie had been insulted that way himself
once.
The bill was then put upon its passage and
lost for want OF constitutional majority, the
vote standing ayes, Messrs Simpson, Loving,
French, Corsc, 4 noes Mcssrs. Markell and