Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1885-12-17
JNo. ]. LAMIEsaN. Clerk.
COMMON COUNCIL.

At called meeting of the Common Council of
the city of Alexandria, held on tho 10th day of
December, 1885, there were present: Isaac Eich-
berg, President, and Mcssrs. Moore, Snowden,
Brent, Fishor, Goodrich, Whiting, French, Harri-
son, Strder, Bhler, Pullman and Peake.
communication from the Mayor, stating tho
object of converting the City Council wa, received
and read
The report OF the special committee, appointed
to investigate the expenditures Of James z. Cole
man. lato superintendent of Police, and certain
matters referred to the same by the Committee
on Finance, was presented by Mr.. Brent, char
man. received aud ordered to be printed in the
official proceedings of tho City Council, which re-
port is in the words following, viz:
To the CITY Council of Alexandria, Virginia
Your committee, appointed by order OF Council,
the ls day of July, 1885, to investigate illegal
pcnditurcs of money the Streets and the overdra
by the Auditor upon the City Treasurer, therefor; and
to state the accounts of tho Superintendent Of Police
for tho last fiscal year having concluded their labors
in the premises and concerning certain matters re-
ferred to them by the Finance Committee, beg leave
First. The Superintendent of Police, in the manage
ment Of his office, has violated every law relating
thereto
Especially the following, viz
]. Chapter 20, Which requires him TO keep book
of original entries showing the names OF all laborers
and others employed by him" and that, a the end of
the year. the shall be deposited in the hands of
the Auditor, and remain In the Auditors hands for the
inspection Of the Council.
g Chapter O. II, Which provides that he shall not
cxpend any money in the public service, unless the
same shall have been specially designated by law
g. Chapter O. Il, Which provides, that he shall have
public work done by contract often practicable"
and advertise tho same in the public papers q
reasonable tmoi the preference to be given TO the
lowest offer.
In many instances, contracts have been made by him.
without any advertisement.
T. Chapter s. %, Which requires him. mmedately
upon the completion of any paving gravelling, or
curbng to return the clerk Of the Common Council
statement of the total expense thereof, with list Of
the proprctors Of the ground in front of which said
paving. grnvelling curbng shall have been done.
During the whole of the fiscal year ending May 3lst
1885 the Superintendent of Police has failed to comply
with tho law in q single instance.
Mr.. Coleman AYERS, in his testimony, that he made
out bills against property owners, required by this
law, and put them in the hands of Mr. F. L. Brockct
who promised to deliver them to the clerk of the Conn
mon Council Mr.. Brockett testified that Mr. Coleman
did no such thing.
second During said fiscal year Mr. Coleman pur-
chased large quantity of sand rock bricks and
ing; aggregating Ss75 %. (See exhibits Q and 81
Mr.. Coleman purchased two hundred and ninety
sl63 90 from r. W Baenger This curbing was the
steps from the old Court House and ivesixths OF it
Mr. Ballenger testifes that he purchased it from the
county othcials These steps were not suitable for
curbing, and what was left hand the Committee
Streets has had to dispose of at Csc per foot.
Your committee have only been able to find where
l24 feet Of this curbing has been used.
The amount turned over by Mr. Coleman was 90 feet,
which leaves 81 feet TO be accounted for.
Third. Your committee, herewith, file an exhibit,
marked f. showing the tools purchased for the streets
also exhibit, marked s. showing the tools turned
to Mr. Dobie.
Fourth. Your committee find upon examination of
the Of the of Police the names
of number of men, Of whom after dgent search and
inquiry, they can learn nothing. The men who were
constantly employed the streets knew nothing Of
them and heard of their being employed on the
streets Mr.. Coleman was unable TO give any satis
factory account of them, and had never heard OF many
of them. list of these men is herewith filed marked
G. showing that they received, during tho said fiscal
year, the sum of S644 "a.
The same state of facts exists pay-ros for work
charged to the Board Of Public Health and Public Pro-
pcrty (see exhibit showing some nstancesl.