Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-04-24

The following is n report Of the substance of
some Of DIR. }. B. Johnson's remarks in the
Board of Aldermen on his resolution in regard
TO the city charter:
Mr.. President \ large majority of the voters
of this city Justly regarded the action of the City
Cou neil Of 1871, in the passage of the new char
ter without their consent as most selfish and
presumptuous, and as not only violative Of all
representative duty, but rs IL direct insult to
their integrity and intelligence. Such q bold
act of IL small and brief authority was most glsr
ing arrogance, and, in all probability, was never
before exceeded by u similar number Of men oc-
cnpyiug such comparatively insignificant posi-
ton. Of representa- duty. This conduct Just
Iy excited the suspicion Of the mass of the seo-
pie, and they eagerly sought to ascertain what
secret interest or hidden motive had certain
members OF tho Council of 1871 in making such
unusual haste to have the new charter" rushed
through tho Legislature before an offended con-
stitucncy could collect its efforts in opposition.
They soon learned by facts as plain rs develop
-lncnts could make them that the secret interest
WAS TO force upon the people laws which they
never would adopt by a popular vote, and the
hidden motive WAS TO keep in office tavorltes
and thereby gain control Of the municipal Of
fees which would insure the working of the cor
pnrl;on business in behalf of the narrow welfare
OF il selfish special class. This was the confirmed
inference Of II practical experience, and, untor-
projectors Of the "ncw charter" resulted in the
production of silent agency that worked in a
dc.cterlous manner to them, and quietly placed
them beyond the temptation of that temcrity
which knows not how much harm it can venture
upon with impunity. 1t WAS thus that II wound
was inflicted upon the pride and dignity of the
people, which time has not yet healed; for they
had not the most distant suspicion that those who
were so anxious 10 get the positions OF City Coun-
cilmcn would So rudcly use the place obtained
by II cUntidiEg suffrage To outrage and insult Il
generous confidence. For it 10 be presumed
TINT twcny-Iour men, selected from three Lhous-
ard voters, without any special reference to their
fitness fer the proposed place, should, without
having manifested more than ordinary wisdom
| and Sag;cty, have transferred u them by some
occult or magic power, rs soon us they arc made
CuIncilmrn, the concentrated judgment of said
three thousand voters, is positively more than
the most cunning ingenuity can comprehend !
and, further, Why the same twentytour men,
when they leave the talismanic atmosphere of
the Council chamber, and return to their posi-
tons rs ordinary citizens, lose this extraordna-
~ Giscerumeht To select officers Of the corpora
ton to govorn them, Is som, thing entitled to re-
mark and bes rs about it subtlety worthy Of the
most delicate psychological phenomenon; and it
can, in all probability, be comprehendcd only
by the istute minds OF those who reproduced the
obsolete and discarded usages of the city to gov
ern its present concerns. An individual car
readily see WHY giant at Il distance may look
like pigny, but not why pigmy placed upon
n remote hill should appear like giant, and
why plain Tom Jones without word of Illus
tratirn to explain the enigma, should be deprived
Of the sense to select men TO govern him, but rs
soon ~ made Councilman Is invested with that
paramount power which he did not possess rs
titiz.n and for plain Tom Jones to vote as
Councilman to deprive that indivi iuala rs citizen
Of the dSrcrnmcnt to select officers to conduct
the machinery of the corporation, is capricluus
us it is ncumrrchcnsiblc, and bears on its very
face An inconsistency which nugurs IN absence
oil that due regard which man should always
cvince for the preservation OF his political prlvi-
lcgcs.