Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-07-09


for the good OF the city, he was there for that
purpose, and thought this honorable body
Of eight members more capable of elccting the
clerk than the Committee on Light and there
fore there was no sense in cavilng about the
matter.
Col. French said for the benefit of new mem,
bcrs and those who had come in late he would
explain the matter as it stood in his view.
What Dr. johnson had said was likely to pro-
duce wrong impression. The Superintendent
gave bond, aud the money collected was always
deposited with the City Treasurer the same
day, and SO far not dollar had been lost, and
the Gas Works had never been carried on SO
we'll as at present. Council might elect some
one clerk who would upset things generally.
Mr. Seaton said he had great confidence 10
Col. F's motives, and if be committed an un,
wise act it was the fault Of his head and not OF
his heart lie believed he worked for the city,
welfare, but at the same time he thought 1t prop,
er for Council to elect that officer. As general
thing he (the speaker) had to stand solitary
and alone, and it was often grievous and heart
rending when he had fairly to get Oh his knees
to get some one to side with him. 1t was not
so, however, at this time; there were others
who entertained bis views on :his subject: lie
had heen panied to hear that Mcssrs. French
and johnson had signifed their intention OF
resigning; they were two excellent members,
and he would certainly vote against receiving
their designations.
Dr. johnson said he did not want Colonel
French to understand him as impugDlng his
motives in endeavorlug to retain TO the Golh
mittec on Light the power to elect their CLERK
for he had been told by Gen. Corse that his
(Col Fs. probity and honor were: OF the hlgn-
est tone; but were he Ill his place he would not
endaav0r to retain power to which there was
such opposition He then moved that the ac-
ton OF the Common Council be concurred III.
The resolution vas occurred ln-yeaS' o.
noes ,.
DR.. johnson then called up the bill reorgan-
iziny the police force Of the city OF Alexandra,
when
Col French moved that the Board adjourn.
DR.. Johnson said he hoped it would not be
the pleasure of the Board to adjourn.
COL French said the Common Council lad
adjourned some time ago.
Dr. johnson said there was great deal OF
unfinished business to be acted on yet.
Mr.. Seaton seconded the motion to adjourn.
The question was put and the President de-
clarcd the Board adjourned.
DIR. johnson called for a division, but 1t was
found that there was not quorum present, as
the moment the adjournment was announced
two or three members Left
COMMON COUNCIL.
All the members we're present, and an uuu-
sually large attendance was without the bar
Mr.. Eichberg having conveyed an invitation
to the Board OF Aldermen to assemble IN joint
meeting for the purpose OF Installing the Mayor
elect and the members OF that Board havlng
entered the chamber, the clerk read paper
from Morton Maryc, Clerk Of the Corporation
Court, certifying that W. n. Berkley had been
elected Mayor Of the city Justice ". II. May
then administered the oath OF office 10 the
Mayor, at the Presidents desk, all the mem
bers standing, and the members having resum-
ed their seats, the Mayor spoke as follows
.M. President and Gentlemen Of the City
CouncI:
In again entering upon the duties Of the Office
of Mayor for second term, l cannot. but eX-
press my qualification in having received the
approval and endorsement Of my past admins
tration by my fellow citizens: shall aim faith
fully to execute the laws in force, as also those
enact, and TO cooperate with you, gentlemen,
in doing what we can to advance the business
prosperity of our city, and 10 the malntalnancc
of sobriety, good order, and peace among all
the people within our jurisdiction.
The joint meeting then dissolved, and
Mr. John s. Beach, member elect from the
Sd Ward, advanced to the Presidents desk and
had the oath of Office administered to him by
the President.
The President announced the standing COM
,mittecs Tor the year, and hoped that they would
speedily organize and proceed at once to the
consideration of such matters as would be re-
ferred TO them.
MIR. Beach offered resolution, crasing from
the tax bills for the current year all sums
charged as taxes on manufactures. lie SAID the
bills as now made out, contained such items,
though special law exempted all manulac-
lures.
Mr.. Evans said the levy for the year had
been made upon the assessment before the bill
exempting manufactures had passed. and that
if the work of correction was to commence. 1t
had better begin with the assessments.
Mr.. Beach replied that be understood the
tax upon manufactures as now included IN the
bills amounted to about twelve hundred dollars,
and that the object Of his resolution was to save
trouble and prevent the applications that would
be made for rctundiDg taxes improperly col
lcctcd.
Mr.. Porncr said that by special law of the
City Council manufactures were exempted, but
the tax bills had been made out before that bill
had passed.
The resolution was then adopted.
The President introduced resolution pro-
vidiug for tue narrowing of the side walks and
the paving of Union street.
Mr.. Mckenzie thought the resolution had
better lie over till the statements OF the Corpo-
ration's accounts we're presented, and we could
sec the condition of the city's finances He
had understood that the President Of the Board
had said that the estimates for the year would
fall short Of the expenses. It might be all right
to take measures for spending money, but it
would be all wrong if, when the bills were pre-
scented to tho Treasurer, he should say there
was no money there In his opinion it would
be more honorable to pay the interest on the
city debt than to be spending money on pro.
posed improvements He moved to lay the
resolution on the table, but his motion was lost
Mr.. Hughes would like to know what sort OF
material was to be used in paving the street,
~ cohhla ctonns would 'nt do Money was