Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-05-24


MIR. Mckenzie offered resolution to aboi-
ish the Office of Harbor Master, and reclted
The circumstances under which the election OF
that officer had been dispensed with for sever
al years past.
Mir. Moore understood from Capt. Lowe that
the fees had been abolished, except where ser
vices were rendered.
Mr.. Mckenzie thought not. Every en-
coui ayement should be given to the coal trade.
which it was claimed was Injured, By harbor
fees, and he thought abolisbi1g the office the
best way to get rid of the trouble about fees.
MIR. Moore asked if the Superintendent of
Police did not act in the absence OF OF any
Hsrbor Master
MIR, McKe; zie said yes. He did not care
to press the matter, but preferred action before
the officer was elected.
After some further debate the bill was laid
over.
MIR. Neale offered resolution to allow
judges aud clerks of election, on Thursday, hve
dollars each
Mr.. Mckenzie thought three dollars enough.
MIR. Dowoham favored the original resou
tion and recited the amount of work doue al
the primary election.
Mr.. Moure thought there could be plenty Of
men gotten at three dollars, and the work could
| DC ubuC III OuC uay' LII o]o'SN W 49, e''S PN1
| ut So. Lost-ayes, =; noes, t.
The pay was then fixed at 81, and the reso'
| luton adopted.
The Board then, at $3.50 o'clock, adjourned.
COMMON COUNCIL.
The interest 10 the meeting OF the Common
Council! last hight continued undated, the SEES
sion lasting until midnight aad the outside OF
| the bar and portion of the floor being crowd
| ed by spectators.
MIR. Beckham took the chair shortly after S
o'clock and called the meeting to order and
| read letter from d. l.. Smoot saying that he
| would not be present, and asking postpone.
ment of the resolution in regard TO til. PreSi-
dcncy of the Board.
The Chair said that other business might be
taken up.
MIR. Latham said that he did DOT agree, for
he was satisfied that the B ard could do no
business until it had president properly
elected.
1t was moved then to proceed with the dis
cussion OF the ''pcnding resolution declaring
Mr. Latham the president.
| The Chair said that the Board could not pro-
coed to discuss the resolution now. Dir. Smoot
| had the floor on thai question, aud debate
could not proceed unless Mr.. Smoot was here,
and he would have first to be seut ijr.
Mr.. Risheill moved that the resolution be
| postponed uutil the next meeting.
Mr.. Latham said that he did not agree with
the Chair, for 10 that case the Cou1cll would
be at the mercy of Mr.. Smoot. He lad con.
suited with naoy gentleman both here AM 10
| Washington, and ali, without exception, dc
clared that six vot>s out Of eleven would suffice
to elect the President of the Board. fhi
Board itself had so determined. In 1872 Mr..
SHIN received eight votes for President and
MIR. Hopkins 2, and Mr.. Slim was declared
elected.
The Chair said that courtesy required that
the discussion should not proceed III the ab-
seuce OF Mr.. Smoot.
Mr.. Evaus said that until this question was
settled the Board could do nothing. lie there
fore offered the following:
Res Iced, That the Office of President be de-
| clared Vacant.
MIR. R.shel doubted if Council had the
power to remove an officer without charges.
Mr. Evans rad the latter portion OF the Sth
section of the charter, as follows:
''Ali officers elected by the City Council may
be removed from Office at its pleasure. Each
board may remove all officers elected by such
beard"
| Mr.. Beckham ruled that the charter refer
red to officers GU slde-such as the Clerk OF
the gas. 1t did not refer to the president Of
| the Board.
Mr.. Hopkins said that section of the charter
was repealed.
Mr.. Brodcrs defended his rulings at the for
mer meeting. and said he did not see the use
of all this trouble to be president for one
month.
| Mr. Harlow saw 20 necessity for postpone
| meut.
The Chair (Mr. Beckham )-Thought that
courtesy wonId require that Mr. Smoot should
| be first heard
Mr. Latham opposed postponemcnt.
Mr.. Smith moved that Mr.. Smoot be mott
| fed that Council will now proceed to discuss
| the question.
Mr.. Evans said that Mr. Smoot had been
notified already Of this meeting by messcu
ger. He saw no need of anoth her notice.
Mr. Smiths resolution was agreed to- and
MIR. Hopkins suggested that Mr. Smith cou
vey the notice to Mr.. Smoot as he could ex
plain its purport.
The Chair said be would write note to Mr.
Smoots which be did, and the messenger was
dispatched with it.
In the meantime Mr.. Latham discussed the
23l rule of Council but the Chair thought he
was discussing the pending case, and he took
his seat.
MIR. Smoot finally appeared and the resolu
ton declaring Mr. Smoot elected with the sub
stitute of MIR. Harlow declaring Mr.. Latham,
elected were taken up.
Mr. Smoot had hoped that the time for this
discussion would have been postponed, and as
he was ucw busy in settling up his aft sirs 10 the
Circuit Court, he asked as personal favor hat
the mater.be postponed and the Council pro
coed To other business
Mr. L,tham said he emphaticaIly declares
that no President had been chosen.
Mr.. Evans again offered his resolution de-
clariug the cffice of Presidcot vacant.
The chair (Mr. Beckhan) rul' d the resou
ton out of order.
MIR. EvaDs appealed
The ruiiog of the chair was sustained-ayes,
6; noes, s.
MIR. Hopkins withdrew his resolution offered
at the last meeting leaving only b'ior'
the board Mr. Harow's resolution declaring
that Mr.. Latham had been elected Pres dcnt OF
the board.
Mr.. Smoot addressed the Couucil 10 support
of bis view. 1t was admitted that nine votes
no. nI,,> Low pr,tp Nr