Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1874-01-28


did the thing He boldly asserted that they
had, however, been acting illegally, both in re-
gard to Corporation and State law, aud said
that it was ut recently that they condesceuded
to notice the hand engines at all.
[The Clerk, at DR.. Us. request; then read
the Sd sections of the bill creating Board of
Fire Wardens, which says the Wardens shall
make the purchases of articles 10 general for the
use of the Fire Department
Mr. Latham said the law, to him, merely
made the Wardens the agents OF Council 10
purchasing what the latter ordered He had
long regretted the feud which had existed be.
tween the Fire Department H. e. the Chief
Engineer aud Fire Wardens) and the hand en-
eines. He spoke in complimentary terms OF
the gentlemen composing the Department, and
hoped the bitterness which had been engcnder-
ed would be softeued down, aud each learn to
appreciate the other. The company OF which
he had the honor of being President STOOD sec
oued to none, and its apparatus should be put
in working order He then explained the utlll-
ty Of hand engines at fires occurring on the out
skirts of the city, where there were nothing
but pumps and clsternS, and said as the prop
| ertv owners in these localities PAID as much
taxes as those 10 the heart OF the city, they
should have equal protection tie was not,
however, deprcciatlug the value OF the steam
ers, as no one 10 the city was more proud OF
them than himself. He hoped the resolution
would be adopted and the purchase made:
DIR. johnson said it was well to be plain 10
onr talk: it lasts longer and wears better. The
law allowed the Fire WardeDs such power that
it would be the easiest thing imaginable tor
them to 90 to any furnishing store III the city
and equip themselves with clothing, boots,
shoes, hats or caps and charge the same to the
citv as expenses Ut the Fire Department. He
did not waot to be understood as saying they
would do such thing; he only said they could
if they were SO disposed Council bad acted
very indiscreetly 10 placing such power III the
hands of four men, who undertake to ignore
the claims of the hand engines, and got mad
when he complained Of their dolngs. Had
these four men more sense than "a councll-
men? Every year Cuurcll adopts report and
orders to be paid the bills OF four irresponsible
parties. When he said Irresponsible, he mcaut
they were not under OATH and any ofhcer not
under oath is irresponsible. Personally, he
had the highest regard for the gentlemen com-
posing the Board.
Mr.. Latham wanted by-gones to be by-gones,
and dead questions not to be exhumed. The
ouestion before the Board was whether or not
the Board would pass this resolution for the
purchase Of hose, and Fire Wardens aud many
others were tired of picking up papers aud ind
ing themselves viIIi6ed and abused. This was
90 way to 40 business; VIC should cudeavor to
bring about a reconciliation, and he had hoped
the resolution would pass without such low
language being used III defended the Ward
ems as being gentlemen above reproach, and IT
the law did not require an oath OF them, he
would not
DIR. johnson said he vli6ed or abused no
one save 10 self-dcteuce, and there was no per-
son 10 the city, black or white, that could say
he ever attack d them, orally or physically,
except in sef-detence. Ii the Wardens did
not like his criticism they should resign. lie
came to the Board not as DIR. johnson, but
DIR. johnson, Alderman FROM the Sd Ward,
and it was his prerogative to criticize tn: ac-
tions of officers whom he did not think did
right. H. relied on Heaven approving OF his
acts.
The resolution was adopted, and at 9.25 the
Board adjourned.
COMMON COUNCIL.
The attendance at the Comm on Council last
night was quite good, both within and without
the bar.
MIR. Shiun, the President, rising to personal
explanations adverted to some remarks made 10
the Board Of Aldermen by an Alderman from
the Sd Ward, 10 reference TO the appointment
of Mr.. Hughes upon one OF the committees OF
Council. The remarks there made were based
upon statements attributed to him in report
of the proceedings of Council; aud ne simply
rose to say that that report was lucorrect lie
had said then that he always consulted mem
bers of Council with reference to the appoint
nent of committees and that with reference to
the appointment OF Mr.. Hughes be had con-
suited with Mr.. Portner; aud DR.. johnson had
also spoken to him (Mr. Shinn) with reference
to the subject. p
Mr. Evans called attention to memorial OF
certain citizens of the Fourth Ward for oyster
she'll walks on Gbbon street. He said be would
introduce resolution to have the work done;
for the memorial had been referred to the Com
mittce on Streets, who have suppressed the
thing and do not intend to report it. They
said that it was too small matter to report
about, and they were going to do 1t without
report. He (Mr e. did not think the com-
mittee ought to neg ect to report On all matters.
The Superintendent of Police had told him
that.he had been looking around out there, but
it was so terribly muddy that he could not get
about. This was true and it was reason Tor
making the repairs asked. 1t was an urgent
matter and should be attended to.
Mr.. Hughes said that the matter had been
but short time in the hands OF the COM
mittee and they We're now prepared to re-
port 10 favor Of the work. At first it had been
thought that the work was small one and
might be done by the committee, but it was
ascertained that the expense would be larger
than the committee felt justhsd In mourning
without instructions, and they had therefore
concluded 10 report the matter.
Mr.. Hughes called the attention Of Council
| to complaints as 10 the cutting across Union
street, made to enable the Orange Railroad 10
reach the wharf.
Superintendent Clifford, by request, stated
that the excavation was now about two feet be-
low grade, but he was told by the Engineer
that when the ties and track were laid the road
would be but little below grade. aGd that plat
forms would be made on each side SO as to
make crossing easy.
At the suggestion of the President the subject
was postponed until the next meeting,
Upon the report of the committee adverse to
the reimbursement of DIR. johnson for the pay