Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-07-01
New City Government


the new city government could not be complet-
ed to-day, the Mayor elect not being able to
qualify.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN
AT half-past twelve clock to-day there were
only present 10 the Board of Aldermen Messrs,
.. d. Janney, E. E Downham, w. A. Moore
and Lewis Mckenzie, whereupon
MIR. Jameson, Clerk, read that section of
Tue charter 10 reference to the organization of
Inc Board, and as it was not complied With 10
consequence OF the abseotees, declared the
Board adjourned until Tuesday evening next.
at eight o'clock.
COMMON COUNCIL.
lhe Common Council met at moor. all the mem.
pels Icing present at that hour but two, and
having oeen called to order by the Clerk of the
FORMER 9oard, Mr. Shlnp was unanimously re-
eiected President, and having taken the oath
OF othce, as administered by Mayor Kemr er,
TOOK the Presidents seat and said
GENTLEMEN For this manifestation Of
your esteem, can but express my thanks. I
| 90 not msconstrue or fail to appreciate the
| motives which actuate you 10 calling me to this
position by your unanimous voice, and will
say that during the past FIVE years, which by
your favor have held the office of President
OF the Common Council | have earnestly en-.
deaVored to discharge the duties incum bent
upon me with fidelity and inpartiality. What
| have done 10 the past shall strive to do 10
the fulure, and as We have been sent here by
our several constituencies for the one common
purpose OF leglsatlug for the best interests of
our city, hope our sessions may be character
lzed by. harmony and good feeling, and at the
expiration or our term of Office We may return
10 those VINO sent us and receive from them
the plaudlt Of well done good and faithful
servants will detain you 10 longer than 10
thank you again for the honor you have con-
fer:ed upon me, and will now proceed to COM
plete the organization Of this board.
The members then advanced by wards and
TOOK the oath OF office, US Administered by the
President.
Harold Snowden, the Clerk Of the former
Board, aud f. Fl. o. Brian were nominated tor
Clerk, and Messrs. Hughes aud Harlow having
been appointed tcllers, took a ballot and d..
clared the result to be rs follows: Snowlen,
y; U Brian, >. So the FORMER was declared
elected.
D. +. Walsh, p w. Simpson and John
Walker were then nominated for Messenger,
and ballot having been taken By the sau,e
tcllers, the result was announced to be: Walsh.
9; Simpson, 5; Walker o. So the former was
declared elected.
line Board having organized and being
ready Tor business the President appointed
MeSsrs. Hopkins and Brodcrs committee to
notify the Board Of Aldermen that if thew
would meet this Board in joint convention the
Mayor, who was present, would qualify and
take the oath Of Office
The rules Of ordor CT the last Board having
been read by the Clerk
MIR. Rlshel offered an amendment proyid-
lng tVr the appointment of committee on no.
lice, to whom shall be referred all matters ra.
la'ing to the police force, stating that such a
committee, to act in coujunctiDu with the
Mayor, was necessary for the best interests of
the city.
The President stated that he would here in.
torn the Board that 10 his opinion any men,
Der could move to refer any question to com-
mlttee and have that reference made without
the concurrence OF the Board Of Aldermen:
that such concurrence had heretofore been Gus.
tomary, but that such concurrence was alto
geher Supelhu
MIR. Latham regretted the Introduction of
the resolution. The police were ntererrcd
with too much already, and he feared this res
2'utlon was but another wedge to cause trouble
between the Mayor-who is constitutionaIIy
the only person who can interfere with the no.
lice and the City Council. Are we never,
SAID he, to learn anything by experience ? Has
Council forgotten the Police Board how when
that Board had been called together upon one
| OccaSlOn-
Mr. Risheill rose to point of order. which
was that his resolution provided for the an
polntmcnt OF committee on police, and had
10 rcfetence to police board.
Inc PRESIDENT said it was the right of any
member to call another one to order, and that
he would do so himself when he deemed il
proper, but that IN this case he thought the
member rom the lst Ward not out OF order.
MIR. Latham, continuing, said that meeting
had been held, and the Board had determined
on one thing and the Mayor on another. and
the Mayor possessing the proper authority, ex.
ercsed it. The remarks of the mover of the
resolution In offering it we're not embodied in
the resolution. The resolution Was innocent.
| the remarks audlng to things not included 10
the resolution. The Mayor was the sole Judge
OF the management of the police aud he
thought the present incumbent would be as
hrm IN the exercise Of that authority as his
predecessor, who, however, had invited the
Police Board to confer with him, but the Mayor
has the sole power TO suspend or remove
policeman. lie differed with the Prcsideu, in
MIS- opiuon regarding the appointment of com
mlttees. 1t would be treating the Board of AL
dermen with dscourtesy TO appoint standing
committee without heir concurrence, but there
could be no possible objection for the council to
refer any special matter to special committee
lie had studied the police question as much
probably, as any other member, and though he
was not iniallible, none of bis opinions on that
subject had been reversed.
The President said auy legislative body has
| ne right to appoint as many committees as it
chooses without regard to the action of other
| bodies 1t charge Is brought against mem.
Der, or claim is presented, it is not necessary
to have joint Committee. He supposed the
resolution had reference to the salary of the
policemen, and, if so, the Mayor had not as
much to do with it az the Council.
MIR. Rlshei was of the opinion that the Board
was required to adopt the same rules as those of
the Common Council with regard to the ap
pointmcut of committees.
Mr.: Simpson thought that the resolution
would have TO be coucurred 10 by the Board Of
Aldermen, which would also have to concur in