Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-07-22
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
Investigation of Charges Against DR.
j. Is. JOhnsOn-Charges Withdrawn
Exciting Scene. &c

j. Is. JOhnsOn-Charge Withdrawn
Exciting Scene, &c.
A few minutes after o'clock six members
of the Board of Aldermen-Messrs. Janney,
Mckenzie, Moore, Smoot, Downham, and
Johnson-assenbed, and were called to order
by MIR. Japney, President The space outside
Of the bar was again crowded to lis utmost ca
pacity by an interested crowd Of spectators,
while within large number CT members and
ex-uembers of the City Council occupied seats,
and numbers of persons filled all the doorways
leading into the chamber
Immediately after the reading of the min
utes OF the last session,
Mr.. Moore said be would like to state that
these charges were not made against a mem.
Der of the Board as such, aud therefore be
questioned the jurisdiction of the body in the
premises. He thought, properly, the matter
should have been brought before the City
Council. He was of opinion, however, that
the ruling of the chair last night relative to the
number Of members requisite to make the TO-
yestgatlon Was correct and if this Board was
to try the case it should be through a commit
tee. He merely threw out these remarks as
suggestions.
The President said that be was confirmed 10
his opinion that his ruling 90 the previous
night Was right. He had called upon the for
mer President of the City Council (Johu B.
Smoot), also the Corporation Attorney, both
of whom had fully endorsed his views, the Cor
poralon Attorney declaring that the proceed
iogs of the previous night Were all illegal 10
his opinion the Board, as they were now pro-
ceedlng, Was not Il Constitutional body on ac-
count O. the n-atteDdance of Two OF the
members.
Dr. johnson differed with the President, the
former President and the Attorney. For the
purpose Of putting himself 10 better position,
pecuoiarily, he mad but lately opened an office
for the practice Of his profession iG neighbor-
ing city, and almost upon bis entrance there
he was met BY the charge, published in nearly
all the papers, OF malieasancc 10 office ana
fraud. lie could not describe bis feelings at
the time when he read these assertions, coming
from his home the place from which be most
needed support and encouragement, Instead Of
receiving which came the charge of fraud
Take out his heart and write upon it all that
was damuabe and deSpisable -hypocritical l.
but Tor G0d sake save his character Strip
him Of everything he possessed, but protect
his character il order that he might maze a
support for himself and his family. All the
opinions which had been given IL reference to
| the jurisdiction of the Board we're false There
must not be any delay in the investigation
which had become an hundred times more Sc
we're since being published in the newspapers
Strip him of everything, but save his charac-
ter. If this charge had been made against any
other member of this Board but himself how
he would have put his foot dowu and stamped
out the damnable SANDER. But lie had not
one friend here, and ne demanded speedy
trial
Mr.. Mckenzie did not concur With the Pres.
ident, the former President, or the Attorney
The thing which troubled him was that Dr.
johnson was not cha, gcd with anything as
member of this Board Whilst he had some
respect for the oplrous OF attorneys, (uot a
great dea), he always preferred to be govern
eDed by common sense. 1t must be recollected
that he had been presiding magistrate for a
number of years, during which time not one of
his decisions had been set aside by the Court
OF Appeals, or any other court. The charge
was one OF improper conuuct whilst 10 charge
OF the smallpox hospital aud not as member
OF this Board, and he was of the opinion that
the examination could b conducted as We'll by
tive as by committee Of three. The charges
should probably have been inveSti gated by the
City toupcll, as there was 20 charge against
an Alderman, but one against what might be
considered an employee OF the Corporation !;
but lnasmuch as the examination had been
commenced II might as we'll 70 on.
The President reiterated his former views in
reference to his previous ruling, fortified by
the opinions of Mr. Smoot and the Corpora
had no more right to sit as board to try this
case than they had to try any other criminal
charge. 10 his judgment two-thirds vote was
requisite for an expulsion, aud therefore two
thirds were equally requisite 10 the examiua-
ton. In bis opinion it was just as clear case
as IT there was 40 quorum present.
DIR. Mcheuzle inquired if there was not a
quorum present.
The President said there was quorum, but
not wo-thirds, as Dr. Johnson was NOT quail
fed to vote upon his own case.
DR.. johnson differed from the views ex.
pressed by the President, ard conteuded that
the examination could and must proceed.
Mr. Smoot moved that the Board resolve it.
self Into committee Of FIVE for the purpose Of
conducting the examination and report to the
Board, the President suggesting with power to
send for persons aud papers, which, being &C.
cepted,
Dr. johnson said he had no fears of exon
GRAFTON, but time was of great importance to
him. This Board was simply Investigating
charges, aud he was here defending himself
The whole Board could go 90 with the exam
ination of the case. His accuSer was present,
aud he was ready with his witnesses. He de-
handed that the investigation proceed
Mr.. Jauney.inquired who would compose the
committee
Mr.. Smoot. All the members except DR..
johnson.
Mr.. Moore seconded Mr., Shoots motion.
Dr. johnson said Suppose the other men,
bers come in; they could not be excluded.
MIR. Snoot. They would not be admitted
on the committee.
The motion for the committee of FIVE was
then adopted, and Mr.. Janney chosen chair
man.
At the instance of Mr.. Moore Mr.. Whealley