Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-03-29
CITY COUNCIL.

meeting no quorum was present 10 the Board
Of Aldermen
Iu the Common Council ten members we're
present, and the business that was to coue be-
fore that Board was transacted 10 the presence
of about dozen or two spectators.
The following communications from the
Mavor were read and referred, the Corpora
ton Attorney, who was present., saying that
the bill with regard to the sale of fresh meats
could be enforced:
MAYORS OFFICE, ALEXANDRIA. VA,
March 18th, SO. J
To the honorable City Council Of Alexandria,:
Genteu en-: feel IL my uuty 10 call the III.
tention of your honorable body to the reported
bad condition Of many of the city pumps, and
especially TO the dangerous condition OF the OLD
and long disused wells which have not been
flied UPS respectfully suggest they should
Debut hav been merely covered over Win
boards, dirt etc =, in such manner IS to render
them liable ut any moment to prove fatal pit
falls to our Ct liens.
| respectfully enclose fer your consideration
the rough draft of u resolution which, it is be-
lieved would probably result in the abatement
of the dangerous nuisance referred to.
/ have the honor to remain,
Very respectfully, &C.,
K. kEMPER, Mayor.
Resolved, That the Committee on Streets are
hereby instructed to Immediately institute 8
thorough examination into the condition OF the
pumps and wells now in use on the streets OF
this city, and especially into that of the disused
wells that have been covered over, and TO take
the necessary steps TO have the pumps and plat
forms put in good repair, aud either have tho
old and dsused wells filled up or the coverings
of the same strengthened and rendered sale.
MAYORS OFFICE ALEXANDRIA VA,
March 18th 1876.
To the honorable City Cauncit Of lsrandria
Gentlemen: | have the honor TO transmit
herewith draft of proposed act touching the
sale OF fresh meats in the city.
| in presenting this important matter tor your
| consideration and action, will merely state
that the Commissioners OF the Sinking Fund are
| unanimously O.: the opinion that unless some
such net be speedily passed the revenues de-
rived from the renting Of the butchers stalls IN
the Market House will he very materially les
sened. Very respectfully your obt. seIv't.,
Z. kEMPER, Mayor.
AN a CT to regulate the sale CT fresh meats in
the city of Alexandria
| Be it enacted by the City Council CT Asexan-
| dris, That 1t shall not be lawful for any person
or persons to sell or offer to sell fresh meat oil
any kind whatsoever in any place, within the
limits of the city of Alexandria IN less qusntl
ties than one quarter, except in the Market
| House the city of Alexandria,
| Il
shall, ON conviction thereof before the Mayor
! be fined in sum not less than --- dollars
! nor more than -- dollars
Sec This ordinance shall take effect on and
after the lst day OF Juue. 1876.
MIR. Latham Introduced resolution declar
ing that Council has 40 right TO decide as tC
the eligibility of the present Mayor for re-elec-
ton, and 10 doing so said:
MIR. President: In speaking upon the reso-
luton just submitted | crave your indulgence.
! At the last meeting Of the Board OF Aldermen
Dr. johnson was pleased to deliver himself oil
we'll prepared speech. touching the subject
indicated 10 my resolution. 1t Is we'll known
that that gentleman claims to be au lalt on
historical matters, especially 10 regard to our
municipal affairs. and WAS more than surpris-
J ed to fluid his utter failure to state facts in the
case alluded to. The charter which was
amended in 1871 did not restrict the people IN
the re election OF Mayor. The provision in the
bent Of said Office shall hold his Office for the
time for which he was elected under existing
laws" was put in the charter by The Legisla
ture, but not at the instance of the then pres
eut Incumbent" His only effort at that time
was TO protect the people 10 their rights and
retain the power to elect their OVID servants;
The then present Incumbent did not tell
our delegates in the Legislature that if that
section (34) was passed it would preclude him
from b"ing candidate for the mayoralty. F."
Although felt that the motive for am hiding
the charter at that time was to legsiale me out
Of Office, | was not troubled for myself as
Mayor, but tor my rights as one Of the people.
The then Incumbent did not say that it
would rule him out altogether" nor was the
exception made for the benefit of the then
Mayor but was made to prevent the Leglsla.
ture from appearing as ridiculous as the sub
uitters of the ridiculous proposition. II the
Historical act Of special legislation" as detail
ed by DR.. johnson were true, his animadver-
sious might be correct, bui unfortunately ne Is
10 the plight Of the ''mau who aimed his gun
at duck or plover, &c. | think Dr. johnson
is right in his houiIy that the people look
uron the Office Of Mayor as one of honor, aud
| think when the people unbiased by prejudice
continue an mount bent 10 the position 1t IS the
best evidence that he represents their pride,
dignity and Intelligence" The Doctor says:
office seekers cor office holders" Sage asser-
ton But the doctor cannot place himself in
that class MIR. President the past occupants
of the nayoraIty were human, and 90 doubt
the future will furnish "a few of the same
sort, and poor frail humanity is so prone to
hold fast" to what is good in the line of Office
that we must not be surprised If we find that
self abpegatlon is not among the virtues of our
Servants and they fail to 'modestly depart
from the fascinating realms of official author
ity.' Report says that many OF the people oil
the Third Ward have been desiring for some
time to say well done good and faithful SER
want" There is material difference, Mr.
Pres dent, in coming before the whole people
of the city for an office and the people in ward
meetings assembled, or before the City Coun-
ell, as many Of US know to our sorrow or COST,
and sometimes both. have been 10 the for
mer category. The Doctors diatribe as to the
''inordinate thirst aod chicanery for places of
trust and unceasing desire to be servants of
the people land" the ''irresistable aDxicly to
make an imnodest effort to retain official posi-
ton, &c | canuot answer. | presume he is
well posted on these points by practical exem-
pliication aud personal experience. The ''or.
uamcnta" part | leave TO the doctors self
comDlaisancv Mr. President I regret th T. I