Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1878-08-02
Letter fyOns Falls Church.

Correspondents Of the Alexandra Gaz'tte' !
FAILS CuURCH. VA, Aug !, 1878. -~Our
new Town Council, 10 the meetings they nave
held during the past month, have devoted
themselves principally TO taking baek'sIght
over th, action Of the proceeding oDc, prepara'
tory to setting out on their new career, during
which they desire 10 profit By the errors and
short comipgs Of the past Tbs report of the
committee on municipal records is far from
hAtering, and, whils it may seem harsh to-
ward the gentlemen they have been called upon
to succeed, strict adherence 10 facts would not
permit them TO report otherwise. The affairs
OF the corporation are decidedly at loose ends,
and, while there is 20 lnlmatIoo OF any othclal
improperly, the irregularity with which the
machine has been run casts very serious shades
over The business capacity OF the genllemeo
who have been in charge. Such results must
always be expected as long as Offices are hed
by popular clamor instead OF regard for the
capacity cf the nominee. Integrity ls OF prime
importance, but without capacity, as gross
irregularities may occur, with as serious results,
as under the management of dishonest persons.
Wheo will the American people learn to com.
hine for the protection OF their Interests, even
though it. be at the expense Of personal ard
partizan prejudice
Oar school people are agltatlDg the EutJec! OF
the sutscl ptlon for the ensuing year. meet
ing will be held at Jefferson Institute, Tuesday
evening, 9th instant at which it is desirable
TO see lho faces of all the friends OF popular
education. 70 maintain the school as graded
one, and secure its continuance for the full term
of ten months, the county and State school
funds must be supplemented by q considerable
amount, which, heretofore, has been raised by
voluntary subscription. 1t is the hope OF the
trustees to be able to continue tue school upon
the same basis By continuance ct the same
plan.
The colored Baptists have been divided for
some time by difference Of views which toay
led 10 sort Of secession. Active tt0rts have
been on foot Tor some time to bring about
settlement tremendously either by re. connection
or separation, and tho Wednesdays Of each
Of the past three weeks have been devoted to
efforts 10 that direction. The efforts SO far
seem 10 have all failed, the differences seeming
to grow greater the more they are discussed
Work upon the narrow euage railroad has
been suspended temporarily, MIR. Chas. /.
Bird, the contractor. having gone to Baltimore
10 lock after another contract, which has been
awarded to him, for the construction OF street
railway. The grading of the road, 50 far as
completed, stood the storms of the past few
days much better than was anticipated, show
log that the work, both Of the engineers and
contractors, had been we'll done.
The effects of the hard times are felt by our
people as we'll as by others there have been
no sales OF property of any particular impor.
tance this season, aud but one new res!deDce
erected 10 the neighborhood. thing unpara'
lelcd since the war. We are anxiou5!y watch =.
ing our sentineIs on the watch towers to catch
the word when the tide commences to turn.