Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-07-01

didatcs for the position were reeelV q from
Jos Paigat, p. W. Simpson, jr.. j.. ID. LYles,
and J. s. Walsh
MIR. Mushbach dominated E. II. Eaton.
First ballot, Walsh, I; Eaton, s.
The Pres dent declared Mr., Eaton elected.
Mr.. Hughes inquired if ii did not require
votes 10 elect ),
The Char-"No, according to my ruling.
Mr. Hughes inquired if it bad not been the
practice heretofore 10 require 9 votes to elect.
The Chair-Never before the remarkable
proceedings of last hlay-uever before was sueh
pisce Of folly perpetrated ky this Board Inc
ouestioa is not dcbatabc. Ii the gentleman 10
dis:ati ti~d he can appeal troul the decision Oh
the Chalr.
M. Hughes appealed The decision OF the
| Chair was sustalncd-ayes, 3; nays, =
The CHER announced the next business to be
the inauguration of the Mayor, and appointed
Mrssrs Eyaos and Brodcrs committee 20 In.
wife the presence and cooperation of the Board
of Aldermen.
Mr.. Hughes presented petition of the
Western Uniou Tclegras h Company asking
an extension of its privileges and desired
Immediate action thereon.
The Chair ruled the subject out OF order, as
both Boards were bout to convene 10 joint
session. Al this moment the Board OF Alder
men entered the Chamber and the City Coun-
Gil having convened 10 julnt session, Mayor
Kemper administered The oa.h OF office OF May
| or to DR.. j. B. johnson, who, on taking the
| oath, srid:
GENTLEMEN OF TIE CRY Council THE NUM-
cipa election of the 18th of Nay, was test OF the
pers onal popularity Of the respective candidates for
the Corporation Offices and not contest on either
slde, of political principles, or party tealty NO
one can lruhfuy say, that the issue which brought
me into your presence, was not frankly ana tarly
| made and nonorably won and 1t is not only JUST
to myself bnt due TO those who voted for me TO NIL
| The place which now occupy, to return TO them,
through you my heartfelt thanks for their kindness,
and to say, that if know myself no official act of
mine shall forfeit the trust which has been so gene
rously confided TO me. The cnartcr says, 'the
mayor shall see that the laws Of the corporation be
duly executed" and again, s'he shall lay before the
Citv'Counc from time 10 time, in writ g such
alterations in the laws of the corporation as ne
shall deem necessary or proper" This being the
Injunction, cannot be accused OF presumption II
venture to offer to YOU, sssuch alterations in the
laws of the corporation" as have been, from TINE
to time, sugg sted to me. will faithfully see that
the laws of the corporation be duly ,xecuted, and
| be quite careful to see that the Sabbath Day shall
be kept holy within Alexandria not only by sup
preston of all secular business during quiet hours,
but by street obedience to the following statute
approved by the Legisla ure, March u. 1871:
:sThat no intoxicating drink shall be sold in any
bar room, restaurant, saloon, store or OF her place
within The limits of this corporation, from twelve
O'Clock on each and every Saturday night OF The
week until sunrise Of the succeeding Monday morn.
ing; and any person violating this, SHALL he deemed
guilty Of nlis.cmcanor, am II conVctcd shatl Dc
punished by q fue not less than ten nor more Than
live hundred dollars -
This law Shall not be violated with impunity
and will no permit The business men lndlca.
ted in this statute to conduct their avocaLiOn on
5a,. vii npn otrt thtr r
mission merchant TO do their trade on the Sabbath
and knowing all ciliz>l engaged in the bust
ness III question, to be good aud respectable law
abiding men, apprehend not the slightest dlfllcul
W in having the law strictly obeycd; and Knowing
Luem, as [ do make no hesitancy in saying that
this carcfu calling vi their attention TO the law, will
be suiIic Mt to ensure their observance OF it; but
should it bccom: necessary for me TO Interfere,
| will most certainly do so, without hesitation, for il
needs no argument from me TO demonstrate the i'm
DO ,ance Of devOUing one day Of the week to rest;
and religion, duty. will not Halter wrong, or
attemp. TO win It's political influence by caiolcry
| ard while am not IN favor OF the enactment Ul
sumpluary laws By deliberate bodies, gree i'll the
application OF those prime pies 20 the conduct oil
men which have for their object The preservation
of the r.lity happiness and spcrity Of society
II is growing Impression among many OF the
taX.Iayers Of the city, that the present law forming
the police force, should be so altered or amended as
to make The system lese expensive Than the sum OF
nine or tel thousand dollars per annum and it is
seriously suggested that restoration of the old sys
! TEN OF police constabIcs and night watch, would
| not only be equally efficient in cyecntir the Ia wa
| nf ,h- oarpv, ZION, out much more economical &c
~ the city treasury. AS matter Of economy, 1t is
II "lauy subj ct worthy of your examination.
to riy II be my study by proper police regulations,
Os this cnotSe force as efficient as possible and in
sonable co.ir I sincerely hope to haze your rea
thr INSTRUMENTATION. | will require nothing but
no Office undcr he painest official duties, and in
J negligcuce of dut command will tolerate wlfu
- garded as an outrage am sure it would be re-
in office a worthless az the co immunity TO keep
re MANY good and reliable naithlcss officer when SO
1t willing to perform the duticsare always ready and
ID executing The laws of the corpthat office and in
r. imparay, and enforce all acts zion, VIII 40 So
2. in just manner according to thee Clly Souncl
mony in each special case. anu Ics'l-
Whipping as punishment, has been
but for such summary and economicaI'rIeu 10,
punishment, there is no law except in cases que OF
larceny. Otherwise it is against the principtetl
u Jurisprudence to permit violator Of the law
Y se'ccL his own punisnmcnt and it is not in tn
: power of the Mayor 10 allow prisoner to choose i
:, the absence of the ability TO pay fine between
: whipping and the chain geng. Hence, whipping
y only allowed believe, in of petit larceny
: The repair and cleaning of the streets will lie
S matter OF considerable Interest 10 you and no sui
a jcct will probably be of more Importance Eyperi
encc has enabled me 10 strongly recommend tn
SfeiI necessiIy VI putting ouI all considerable re
pairs and improvements Of the streets at contract t.
the lowest responsible bidder, and to avoid as far
possible, the rcic euce OF matters of repairs of tn
c streets TO the conn ttec on Streets, with power Il
b act for under this bad habit, DIRK on the street
has been done without SYST which should not hav
9 been commenced. The only systematic plan for tn
gradual Improvement of the st e,ts ever known L
the corporation laws, W IS Instituted under the con
=, troll Of the Board oil Public Works. That body wa
/ compos of intelligent aud reliable citizens an(
bau the members of it, hecn allowed to pursue thci
own Judgment, some OF our streets would W day
present more inviting appearance to pedestrians
3 and strangers. The Board greatly improved one
strcet, but before il had time to complete the i'm
provcment, the law upon which it was based, was
repealed Brief as The existence of the Board Of
Public Works was, it lived long enough to prove
not only its utility but Its system and when its
members handed over their books TO the City Coun-
Gill it vas found that at least three thousand dol.