Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-08-13

Tuesday of October came up, DIR. johnson OBJ
iected. The evenings he said were now long
and cool; the heated term was over, and there
we're many matters to be attended to. Ii we
were to be carried back to the District of Co
iumbia nolgls uoleuS we ought to make some
objection, at least. There was 20 reason for an
adjournment; it was merely the following OF
foolish fashion Retroccssion was Il serious mat
ter, of feeling if not of interest; let US see if DO
defence could be made. 1t was political, not
judicial question 1t had been said that not
Wing spoke against it, the Democrats alone
opposed it; there was reason for that The
Wings had hoped to carry the State by ad-
ding the Wing vote of Alexandria, the Demo
Gratis were against that; but all that controversy
had now passed away; the act had passed and
been recognized for almost thirty years. Lodi
viduals and Boards" thought retrocession add
yautageous 10 them, but did not show how it
would be advantageous to US. People should
look TO their interest, at least if they had no
higher feeling. If the measure did not make
us at once, it would utterly destroy US. The
Boards" on the other side want our S. ,0OO,-
600 Of property to tax and our 5000 people to-
swell the population Of the proposed State OF
| Columbia. If we cant make a defence,
at least let US make Il circumstances. Ii
vote were taken now the thing might
be carried, because the people do not under
stand it, but let them learn what 1t Is and II
will be defeated 1t is not like moving to
| Washington and coming back If you don like
it. lie could sell, or give away his property
and 20 elsewhere, and perhaps make more
! money than in Alexandria, but many could not
| 70. He moved to non-concur, and on a rising
vote, Messrs Moore and johnson voted aye,
and Messrs. Januey. French, Scaton and Un-
| derwood 20, whcreupon the chair declared the
action OF the Common Council concurred in.
On motion of Dr. johnson, the Common
| Council was invited to go into convention to
| elect member of the Board Of Public Works
| The resolution relative to the grading OF
| Princess street coming back amended,
Dr. johnson opposed concurrence. Some
| property there, he said, were opposed
to finishing the work because it would cost
them $3.50, not seeing that their property would
| be greatly increased IN value by the improve
ment The plan proposed by the lower Board
| would cost $500; the full work but 5000. He
moved to lay it on the table, which was carried
The Board then went into the Council cham
Der TO the convention, and on returning, Judge
Underwood and Mr. Seaton having left, there
was no longer a quorum so an adjournment
was moved and carried.
COMMON COUNCIL
At the regular meeting last nj ght there was
very full attendance of members of the Board,
and partly filled benches outside Of the bar.
a resolution to change the name of Water
street to Lee street, having been introduced
Mr.. Lucas moved to amend by making the
name Snowdcn street.
Alr. Mckenzie thought that If Water was
Objectionable to the residents how would it do
to transfer the names of Water and Union
streets Plenty of babies, down there aud
baskets. | think Union would be good name
as the people there are fond Of union.
Mr.. Hopkins-Good many old bachelors
about there.
Mr.. Mckenzie They are all honorable |
hope sir.
After some further discussion the subject was
postponed uutl the next meeting,
Mr.. Hopkins asked whose business it was to
buy coal for the city. Last year the City School
Board contracted ear y in the season for fuel for
the uso of the Public Schools to be delivered as
wanted, aud they paid s. 80 ton for coal:
The city paid for a good part OF what it used
Sll u ton.
The Chair said he supposed it was the duty
of the Committee on Public Property to make
the requisite purchases.
The Council then took up Aldermen resolu-
ton appointing committee to lnvestlgate GER
tain statements relative to the late Finance
Committee.
Mr.. Shiun (Mr Fowe in the chair said =
Mr.. President: AT meeting of the Board
of Aldermen, held July Sth, 1873, the Alder
man from the 2nd Ward, the late chairman OF
the Fnauce Committee, asserted that he had
been removed from that committee because he
had offended the President Of the Common
| Council by his opposition to bill exemptlng
the capital and machinery of manufacturers
from taxation. At meeting Of the Common
Council, held July 18th, | stated that the
| charge made by the Alderman was untrue and
| gave some of the reasons which Influenced me
| 10 advocating the removal Of that Individual
| from the important position which he had held
for two years | stated that had opposed his
REINFORCEMENT to the responsible position Of a
member Of the Finance Committee because he
| was ncompeutent to discharge the duties of the
Office or if competent, theu he was unworthy
of the position by reason of his having with
| held information which it was his duty to lay
before the City Council, aud also that he had
misled the City Council by ovcr-estlmatlng Its
resources and Understanding its expenditures
for the current fiscal year. | further stated
that had discovered certain irregularities IN
the management of the affairs OF the Finance
and Light Committees which satlsneu me that
The late chairman OF the Finance Committee
was not the proper person to cntrust with such
important interests as the management OF the
finance, of this Corporation. These charges
were then distinctly asserted. aud | now rcas.
sert them against the Alderman from the End
Ward and against no other member OF the City
Council.
1t is fact we'll known to members OF the
City Council that the duties of the Finance
Committee mainly dcvolve upon its chairman
he exercises general supervision over the
accounts Of the Auditor and the returns of the
Tax Coectors-aDd calls his Committee to-
gether whenever in his judgment the exieencles
OF the occasion require their conyentlon-he Is
the mouth piece OF the Committee 10 the City
Council and from usage or of right devolrcs
upon him the preparation and lntroduclou OF
Salary and Revenue bills. These measures are
or should be submitted to the Committe prior
to their introduction in Council, but the Com
mittee relies upon its chairman for the correct