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

few hundred feet of hose in order to make such
gines useful in those parts where the steamers can
not be made available. In locating the places for
the keeping of the two steam fire engines, would
suggest the importance of taking into account the
geography of the city, and locate each steamer, at
the least expense in such position as to be eqauly
convenient to all parts Of the city without the slight
est reference to the prejudice of any who may call
themselves members of This or that company. The
plea of longevity, less than the claim OF graft
tude for services long rendered, demand that the
steamers be placed in corporation property in charge
of the oldest fire companies under the command OF
a resolute Chief Engineer of the Fire Department
who will that the members not only obey orders,
but demean themselves in a manner worthy IT the
self sacrifice which tiremen always make in the per-
Torrance Of their duty.
call your attention TO the Importance of encour
aging by liberal legislation, the cheapes! and most
ex editious mann of communication between this
city and the city of Washington. The two cities
are gradually approaching each other by continuity
OF impfo 1emeEis, and every facility should be Oh
fered the residents and ofceh holders of Washington
TO make their homes among us tor Alexandria ia
not only well situated in geographical point OF
vew but remarkable for the salubrty of its atmos-
phere, the refinement and intelligence of its citizens,
the pety of It's churches, and the excellence OF its
schools
Experience has demonstrated that not only con-
venience, but economy will arise from thu consoli
daon of the off es Of the clerk of the Gas Works
with that of the Auditor The Auditor en- readily
do the work of the clerk of the Gas Works, and by
reasonable increase Of the Auditors salary, three
or four hundred dollars can, in this way, be saved
every year.
| The payment of the interest on the corporation
debt will BIZ matter of great solicitude to you i;
and it has not yet been proved that two Per cent.
the taxable property of the city will pay the full
amount of six per cent. Interest on that debt and
the current expenses OF the city government. The
| If thp n hi divided he
into the creditor and debtor class, and it would be
grand achievement, if the City Council could ap-
! point a committee who would consummate agree
| ment, whereby less sum than six per cent utter
est would be received by the creditor class on their
evidences of the ciLy's Indebtedness. The hope of
such all arrangement, think, is worthy of an effort
! towards its acc mpIishnlcnt. Great Britain was
driven 10 the necessity of reducing the rate Of in
terest on It's public debt, an Virginia was forced to
! similar position, and | cannot see he improperly
! of the City Council max ing q like effort.
| In conclusion, allow me to warn you against the
mprudencc and sometimes criIniuality, Of class
| legislation. 1t should be your pleasure to prefer
those plans of legislation which seek LV harmoniZc
the tious subjects of delibcrativc IMPORTANCE
i Nothing is so conducive to wise legislation rs Il
slow and careful consideration Of measures present.
ed To YOU for action for hAsty legislation Is almost
always productive of HARM and when once begun,
it is more easily naugu -ated than its evil elcts are
arrested after They are once started. Glass lcglsla
| ton is always conducted in great hllrr; and
from it springs all The evil Of dcllberatrc bodies
for it allures the mind the legislator from tie
, common welfare of his constituents, and entceS
him to use his vote in behalf Of the interest Of
selfish few /; and however obscure a law. making
assembly may be- it is still agent or trustee, &C
ting as the sworn representative OF the interest OF
the whole people il! whose good 1t was originated.
Therefore il may be safely deemed best for Nom
Der of u dcbcrativc body TO be careful not 10 vote
on any measure that is intended TO benefit special
class without good commensurate, With the welfare
of every class whose interest is alike, entitled to the
| re:crratrc influence Of his vote and not TO give
his support to any question that has not al equal
bearing o.. every variety Of subjects to which 1t APP
pertains nor yield his assent legislation beyond
what is common to the duty Of the position which
he holds and has not the sympathy Of the kindred
class or variety of the hjccts To which 1t rel ats
and finally, Gentlemen lever allow committees 10
exercise functions, the duties of which you should
Yourselves collectively discharge, for in nine in
stances of ten, committees examine questions from
personal StandpOntS, and not, as a rule, from the
impulses Of patriotic desires; and always remember
that dcbcrativc bodies are the active or expressive
agency of government, and are Instituted for the
welfare of the whole people, and not To subscrvc
the sinister motives and sOrdd combinations OF sell
fish men, who, unmindfu of the in. rest OF othc S,
are ever ready 10 accumulate " thcn$c YES, all the
advantage that chlcancry can gather from the WORK
o. corrupt pl JceeGlngs.
The address was received with applause
/ Mr.. SIN ut then moved that the convention
adj luru, AID the molinn was carried.
The Clair called attention to the petiioa OF
the Western Uniou telegraph Company, aud
Mr.. Hugh 81 explained the lbirci, aad on
his motion tn: prayer Of the petitioners was
granted
Mr.. Hughes moved that the Board Of Al.
derncn be Invited to" JOINT >r>si:u to consider
the p.wcr Of III" City Council 10 fill the of,
fees OF Chi Engineer aud Wardens Of the
Fire Department.
MIR. Mushhach moved to postpone the con
sd"ration of the natiou.
MIR. Seals desired to inqu;ra if the election
Of the 25th Of My IVES .cga; ii 50 he Could see
20 necessity for the rcso ution, and pending
the further consideration OF tue subject i Was
ascertainnd that the Beard Of Aldermen HAD
adj1urncd, and the motion TO pcs pone was
adnp.cd. and the Board, 90 motion Of Mr..
Herbert, adjourned.