Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-07-07
NEW CITY GOVERNMENT.

the Board OF Aldermen and the installation OF
the Mayor.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN
In the Board of Aldermen all the member
being present. Mr.. Jameson, clerk, called the
Board to order aud called the roll.
A1r. Smoot then nominated Mr. S. H. Jan
ney for President, and there being no other
nomination, on his motion, the clerk cast the
vote of the Board for Mr. j., who, upon taking
the chair, returned his thanks for the renewed
assurance of confidence and esteem thus mani
tested.
The oath OF Office was then administered to
Mr.. Jaaney ty Mayor kemper, after which
the newly elected members advanced and were,
10 turn, sworn in by the President.
% motion Of Mr.. Moore, Mr. j. j. jamie
son was unanimously reelected clerk of the
Board, the President casting the ballot.
For Messenger, MessrS. Geo. Doctor, present
incumbent; Joseph Padgett and j. I. Audi,y
were put IN nomination., and on the first ballot
the vote stood: Deeton, 4; Audley, 2; Padgctt
:. The second ballot resulted DcetoD, L. Aud
Icy, .; Padgctt, .. Third ballot: Deeton, 3;
Audley, 3; Padgett, =. On the fourth ballot
Mr.. Deetcn was elected, receiving votes to
Mr.. Audey's 3, Mr.. Padgctts name being
dropped
TIC Clclh llcu lcdu TUG rules vi OTucT vi tue
last Board, which were adopted without amend
mcnt.
The joint rules were next read, but it was
determined not to take ACT ion until in joint
meeting, Mr.. Moore signifyug his intention of
moving to strike out the 9th rule relative to
the transmission OF messages between the two
Boards.
Mr.. Latham, from the Common Council,
brought 10 the salary bill, explaining that the
salary OF the Mayor elect had been left as last
year, the Common Council not deeming it legal
TO change it after the election.
The bill Was taken up and read by sections,
when, upon reaching that of the Health officer,
DR.. johnson opposed the election of any
such officer az unnecessary AID uuwlse, allow.
ing the Board of Health to choose its own pre-
siding officer and saving $50 per aunum. The
Board had dispensed with the usa of a secrc-
tary, one of It's members acting 10 that capacity
and thus saving salary, aud he thought such
a course should be pursued in reference to the
Health officer.
Mr.. Janucy said chat the charter required
| that such an officer should be elected aud his
compensation fixed. He read from the laws OF
the corporation to sustain bis position
MIR. Mckenzie thought that as it was law
OF the corporation that there should be Health
| officer he did not see the use of making any
fuss about it, This officer had his duties to
perform IN visiting cases when they came here
on board vessels, &C., and as it was law he
hardly thought 1t necessary to have it included
in the bill.
! Dr. johnson said the President was mistaken;
the charter did not require the election, it was
only corporation law, but if the Council choose
| to throw away fifty dollars why let them do it;
| that much mon"y would buy wood aud coal
for the poor. He moved to strike OUT the pro-
vision, but the motion was lost, and the bill
then read through and passed, after which
| On motion of Mr.. Moore, the members of
| the Board proceeded to the chamber Of the
Common Council to 90 into joint meeting for
| the purpose of installing the Mayor and for the
| election OF corporation officers.
After returning to the chamber the Board
adjourned.
COMMON COUNCIL.
The first regular semi monthly meeting of
the new Common Council was held last uight.
and was we'll attended The space outside the
bar was we'll filled, and small crowds assembled
in the neighborhood, it being understood that
portion of the city officers would be chosen
| at this meeting.
Justice VIM. H. May, in a most digni6ed
| and graceful manner, administered the oath of
Office to Mayor elect kemper, who said that at
another time and under different circumstances
he would be happy to discuss the affairs Of the
city at length, but the shortness of the even
ing, the press of business and the heat warned
him to say only that he desired to express to
the people through Council his grateful thanks
for their appreciation CT his course expressed
at the recent election. He would eudcavor to
discharge the duties Of the Office of Mayor in
the future as he had done in the past, and he
hoped that at the close Of his term he would
meet with the ,plaudit, "Wel doue good and
faithful servant"
DR.. johnson opposed the appointment of
any committee to supeIlntend the Mayor, who
by the law of the State, had penary power
over the police. 1t would be as foolish as the
appointment of committee to ~uperinteud the
Physicians to the Poor.
Mr.. Hopkins did not understood the object
of the rule to be to Interfere with the Mayor,
but merely TO receive a reference as to police
affairs.
Mr.. d. l.. Smoot thought that the rule
might be amended By extending the functions
OF the committee to be committee on all pub
lie officers
Mr.. Latham opposed the appointment of the
committee, and predicted trouble if any such
committee was created. Couldn't breathe the
breath of life into rule; no committee can
interfere with the Mayor. As the action of a
Board Of Police on former occasion had been
alluded to, he would state the facts of that ac-
ton; Mayor Berkley invited the Board to cou-
fer with him about the course to be adopted
| towards certain policeman. The Board were
unanimous that the policeman should be pun
lshed the Mayor was unanimous that he
should not be punished, and of course, by rea-
son OF the constitution, the Mayors order 10
The premises Was enforced, as it should have
been. There was nothing which such com,
mittee could do that could not be done by
special committee. The Mayor had full power
over the subject. He could suspend or remove
officers. The Council had no power to remove
officers
MIR. Shinn desired to call attention to the
Sth section of the city charter, which expressly
says that "all officers appointed by Council
may be removed by the Mayor"
Mr.. Latham. So the charter says, but the
Constitution of the State 10 this, as in some
other points, was in conflict with the charter,
and Of co,rCo uas bn cuprop,o