Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-06-22
LETTER FROM RICHMOND.

CORRESPONDENCE Of the Alexandria Gazcttc.l
RICHMOND, VA, June 2lst.-The only
topic thst is discussed here now among poll
ticians is, "Who will the incoming council
turn out ~ and the answer is, with a few ex.
ccpiions, all Of the present ins. This is not
only the wish of a majority of those elected
on the reform ticket, but the citizens gener.
ally, concedu that this, in view Of rumors
that there is rottenness in the management
of tho poor's house, gas works, ETC., is just
about the thing 10 do.
The city council is composed Of is mem
ners, twenty five Of which it takes to elect,
and the reiormers already have Pledged to
abide the issue Of the caucus 90, with an as
sursnce that this plumber will he still
further increased to 80, rs nothing succeeds
like success.
There will he q caucus Of the newly elect
cd members Tuesday night, at which they
propose TO select officers. The board of
common council meets at o'clock, and its
first duty will be the selection of president.
The only persons spoken of for this position
at this time are w. E. Pearce, of Monroe
ward and Jno d. Bethel, OF Clay ward. The
former, while he is not actually n candidate,
is put forward on account of his fitness Tor
the Cilice, heing Grst-class pariamentaTian
and gentleman who stands we'll with all
people He is a druggist by profession, and
a very prominent Odd Fellow, and was n
member of the Grand Encampment recently
in session in your city. MIR. Bethel, has
been hard worker for the new party, but
his business is such that great many who
would like to recognize his party services
feel that his time not being entirely his own
will prevent them casting their vote for
him.
Inasmuch az tho last reform caucus agreed
upon two-thirds rule to nominate officers,
the prospect is that great many prominent
candidates will be left, as q two-thirds rule
always defeats the strongest candidate. Mr..
Jas. NJ. Shelton, of the State, is the most
prominent aspirant for the clerks position,
and while it is not the object of this writer
to 'boost" any one, if party services is
! deemed merit he deserves the Office.
| The colored element or ut least some OF
them, are now holding ward meetings, and
endorsing various persons for Office, claim
| ing TO hold the balance of power; but it will
not do for them to claim too much, as there
| are 35 democrats in the new Council and
only Is republicans, and by pushing the
thing too far they may catch just what they
have now-nothing.
Whilst the municipal kettle is boiling and
bubbling, little fire has been kiudled, even
at this early date, under the Congressional
pot, and speculatons as to Hon. George d.
| Wse's successor are INDUCED in. On the
democratic side, Col. Aylett, Of King Will
liam, who was one Of the prosecutors in the
Ciuverius case, and Richard Beirne, of the
State, are prominently mentioned, with odds
in favor Of the latter. The Knights Of La
Dor mention Hon. II. L. Carter, member of
the House of Delegates, with perhaps some
more Knights Of Labor districts to hear
from. BE this as it may, The sentiment of
the people here is just as much for change
in Congressional affairs as it was i'll the
late municipal election. 7.