Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1882-12-06
CITY COUNCIL.


continuation of the last regular meeting) of
the City Council was held last night for the
purpose of electing Lieutenant and two
members of the police force after the cleo
ton OF which q Fire Warden was selected
to fill the vacancy occasioned by the refusal
Of Il member of that board to serve.
IN THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN
all the members were in their seats at the
appointed hour
While waiting for the Common Council to
organize,
Mr. J. B. Smoot said he had matter he
desired TO bring before Council, but believes
it out Of order at present, from the fact that
when Council adjourned last week both
Boards were in joint session assembled ::
hence no business could come regularly and
in order before the Aldermen until that
joint convention had been formally dissoly
ed. He still, however, intended explaining
the matter he had in his mind There had
been number of fires of late, and it was
| well known fact that but one steam engine
had been in service on such occasions, which
had prompted him to inquire into the matter
and to that end he had called on the Chief
Engineer of the Fire Department who had
assured him the other eng ine (the Hydrau-
ion) was ready for service. Mr. RisheiIl-
'She was not out tonight" He had also
called OH two Of the Fire Wardens in regard
| to the matter, and Mr.. J. r. Smoot mem
Der ofthat Board had informed him that he
had ceased TO act in the capacity of Warden
since the first of last July. He positively
ayerrcd his intention Of not serving and
gave certain reasons for his course. If Mr..
5. intended adheringto this determination
he should by all means resign and let
Council proceed to elect his successor.
Mr. Strauss thought it in order for the
Board to entertain resolutian looking to
the adjustment OF the matter He had not
been aware that Mr.. s. had so peremptori-
| ~ refused to serve. lie also thought the
present time, when the election of other
city officers was to be held, the proper one
to elect Mr.. SIS successor
Mr.. Moore ia, ored filling the vacancy
forthwith.
The President said it was question in his
mind whether or not motion or resolution
10 that effect could be legally acted on until
the two Boards again assembled in Joint
session, dissolved, and the Board of Alder
man returned to its chamber. That, he
believed, would be the only legal way to act.
Mr.. Rishcill said the Board of Aldermen at
the last regular meeting Of Council had re-
turned to its chamber after the joint con-
vcntion had been declared dissolved, and
had adjourned in due form; therefore, he
believed the Board to DO in working order
and ready to act on any business that might
come properly before it.
Mr.. J. B. Smoot reiterated his reasons
for not believing business in order at that
| present time.
After some further debate pro and con on
the legitimacy OF the proceedings, the mat
ter was dropped and the Common Council
notified that the Board was ready to enter
in joint convention, and upon invitation OF
the other Board proceeded to its chamber
and participated in the election of the Off
GERS above specified.
Upon the return of the Board to its cham
Der,
Mr.. Strauss called on the Committee Oh
Claims TO make report on the election bills
now in it's hands for inspection. aud ex-
planned his reasons thcrafnr.
The chairman Of the committee, Mr.. Mar.
bury, aidthey had met and examined into
the validity Of some of the bills, but had not
had sufficient time to duly consider
them all, but would act on them as quickly
as practicable. He explained that there
was discrepancy of opinion as to what the
registrars should receive for their services.
some thinking they should be paid two dol
lars per day for their services and others
the ten cents extra demanded on each voter
enrolled in addition to the per diem charge.
The Corporation Attorney had decided that
the per capita charge was illegal
Mr.. Strauss said it was duty he owed
his constituents to push this matter. He
held in his hand au opinion of George A.
Mushbach, esq, sustaining the claims Of the
registrars, which he desired the clerk to
read.
The President ruled the matter out of or
der
Mr.. Strauss differed from the opinion of
the President aud spoke in defence of his
standpoint.
Mr. Marbury said the committee could
not report now, hence the matter WAS not
legally before the Board.
1t was finally agreed to read Mr.. Mush
bach's opinion, after which Mr. Strauss pre-
vailed on Mr.. Marbury to take charge of it
for consideration when the committee COM
mcnccd its deliberations on the claims
Mr. }. b. Smoot then presented commu-
nlcatlon from Dir. J. Il. Smoot rendering his
resignation as Fire Warden, which being
| accepted and motion to elect q successor
adopted the Aldermen again, upon invita-
tion proceeded to the chamber of the Com
mon Council and upon their return. at nine
o'clock, adjourned.
COMMON COUNCIL.
The Aldermen and Common Council re-
newed last night their joint session, all the
Aldermen and ID Councilmeu being pre-.
sent.
The business Of electing lieutenant of
police, adjourned at the 18th ballot was taken
up. Messrs. james Smith aud Henry Crlmp
were the candidates.
14th ballot-Smith ~, Crump II.
18th ballot-Smith 10, Cr1mp Is. So
Henry Crump was declared elected lieu;cn
ant of police.
The Chair announced that the election of
Mr.. Crump made another vacancy in the
police: so that it would become necessary
for the election of two policemen vice Henry
Crump and Keith Davis.
The nominations were: Messrs. Geo. Fl
Lyles, Rolla Henry, VIM. E. Grady. Joshua
Sherwood. Joseph Horseman and Gilbert
Simpson. and the ballot proceeded as fol.
lows:
lst ballot-Sherwood 10, elected, Grady
ii SimncoO e