Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1879-02-19
PUBLISHED DAILY AND TRI-WEEKLY BY
EDaAR SNOwDENs

PUBLISHED DAILY AND TRI-WEEKLY BY
EDaAR SNOwDENs
WEDNESDAY EVEN'G., FEBRUARY 10.
THE 22D of FEBRUARY.-Of all the com
munities in tho world, that which has gathered
here on tue banks Of tho Potomac. ct Alexan'
dtia, has QUO unique characteristic. shared by
10 other people. Whether we be successful or
not in the efforts that have been earnestly made.
decade after decade, for hundred years. TO
push the town into the current that bears cities
on to prosperity. We have tie historic right
to claim George Washington, "tho foremost
man in all the files of time" as our fellow
towusuan. His first military expedition was
gotten up on tho very streets where the Light
Infantry and the Cadets now parade, aud from
our market place he marched forth to his first
battle. All the intervals of bis public life we're
times spent 10 constant intercourse with our
people. and when, having laid Gown his great
command at Annapolis, be came hither, ho was
met at the Potomac shore and welcomed home
by his fellow citizens of Alexandria; and when
death ccsed the scene, the Common Council
Of Alexaadlia was the ouly official INQUIRER at
his grave.
He was tho originator and tho main promoter
of Il score Of public improvements designed to
benefit tho town, and to-day macy OF our lads
arc educated by his bounly-a gift that is even
more valuable DOW than WHOM he bestowed it
nearly century ago.
The city is full of memorials Of him. If, 10
our shame there have been times when VIC
have neglected to commemorate his birthday in
the festal manner that was begun .in hi5 own
life time, let future alscfity atone for past nc
elaot in this regard.
We trust that not oulY the firemen and the
military, but tho trades, ond all the organize.
lions OF the city will make it point of pride
to take part in the coming celebration, 80 as to
render it something worthy Of the city-at least
90 outpouripg of effort TO commemorate. amid
places familiar to him during his life. tho cx-
allied patriotism and lofty civic virtue Of tho
first General Of our Armies, tho first President
Of cur Republic, and the First Citizen Of our
town.
Sad news reaches Us from Richmond respect.
ing the possibility Of an extra session OF the
General Assembly. AS matter Of fact. the
present is not only an extra, but an extra.iudI.
cial session, aud the extension of the time set
Tor lis expiration will DO running the extra
business 10 the ground. However, if the mem
bers who, contrary to the expressed understand.
ing and desire of thtir constituents. ios ely
voted themselves enough money out Ct the
States depleted treasury to pay for winters
residence 10 Richmond. feel disposed to pro-
long their stay amidst tho gayeties Of oapitoline
lif, at the expense Of the oppressed taxpayers
ct tho State, they can do so with impunity, for,
not only Virginia, but the United States and
The cities and toWr thereof have now reiuaugu-
rated the good old rulo that might makes
light. aud those can take who havo the power,
and those may keep who cap. Congress re-
fuses to pay just claims against the government,
States either refuse to pay legal claims against
themselves or mako their creditors accept
much less than is fairly due them, aud cities
not only rcpudiate their Just debts but do so
efectually by changing the form Ct their gov
erument, and that, too, 10 accordance with the
decision Of the Supreme Court, which says
thore il no redress for such grievances. The
mombers of tho Virginia General Assembly do
not hesitate to take huGdIe1s of thousands Of
dollars from treasury of borrowed moucY for
their Individual use, bu! they haggle, to
The Injury not only Of their owe reputation for
honesty, which apparently they deem Of little or
no consequence. but of that of tho State. about
accepting proposition for tho settlement of
the State debt more favorable than spy fair
minded aud reasonable man had o right to e2-
pect. The times arc out of Joint, and tho worst
Of it is that the prospects for improvement Gre
by no means cheering.
#
The U. S. Senate yesterday passed the in
ternal revenue bill reducing The tex on tobacco,
and We are glad oft, bccaus, though the tax
is really paid by the Consumer and not by the