National Republican., 1888-01-02
ALEXANDRIA MATTERs.
Items OF Interest Gathered for the
"Republioan's" Readers.

The city council and board OF aldermen
were convened In joint session by Acting
Mayor Strauss on last Saturday evening for
the purpose Of electlng mayor to fill the
vacancy caused by the death OF the late
John b. smoot. Upon assembling but two
ballots were necessary in makInga choice
Upon the first ballot the names OF II
Strauss, w. A. Moore, and T.. l.. Downham
were placed in nomination, which resulted
In Mr.. Downham receiving o, Strauss, 3,
and Moore z. Under the rule the name OF
Mr.. Moore was dropped. Mr. Marbury,
who nominated Mr.. Strauss, here withdrew
hls name. Mr.. William s. Moore, OF tue
first ward, then placed In nomIna
tion Mr., Joseph Broders.i A ballot was
then taken, which resulted In Nj.
DowDham receiving 10, Mr.. Broders II. Tue
president OF the common council then de
clared Ms. Il. Il. Downham the mayor of
the city to fill the unexpired term OF tue
late John B. Smoot. This announcement
was received with great shouts OF applause
by the large number OF citizens assembled
In the hallway, outside. 4 committee was
then appointed TO notify MI. Downham Of
his election and to escort him to the pres.
ence Of the Joint assembly In order that the
oath OF Office might he administered at once
and the city enter upon the New Year with y
new mayor. Mr.. Downham upon arriving
and being Informed OF his election m ide
the following appropriate remarks:
Mr.. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN or THE
COMMON CorNCIL: In obedience TO your invi-
tation am before You to accept the honorable
position TO which you have elected me, that of
mayor Of the city OF Alexandria. am, gentle.
men, fully impressed with the responsibilities
attaching TO the position, aud ofthc important
interests that nTe TO be well or III affected by
the manner in which the responsible duties
OF the trust may be administered. by the vlsi.
Providence
bereit OF its official head, an1 by your votes
you have called me 10 take the place of n man
respected, admired, and beloved by the citi.
2ens Of Alexandria. A man. gentlemen, who
from his experience with mon aud the city
hilairs .pre-cmnently qualified him for the
Oilice of mayor hence the task am about TO
undertake ] may well consider dinicult
to have been associStcd Ia the councils
OF our city for many years with our late mayor,
and more conservative gentleman / never
knew Such man you have elected me u
succeed, and will expect Inc to emulate, rep.
resent, and administer the government of our
CITY TO the satisfaction of our CitizenS have
well considered the responsibilities attached
to the position before allowed my name TO be
presented before you. II will be my duty to
use my best endc0vors TO so conduct the affairs
OF the Office TO which you bavc called me that
you Will have no cause 10 regret the confidence
yon have imposed With the help Of Almighty
God will cndegvor to administer the laws Of
our city TO the satisfaction of our citizens.
Thanking you, Mr.. President ana gentlemen.
for the honor you have conferred upon me,
am now ready to subscribe 10 the oath OF Office
Mr.. J. II. d. Smoot is confined to his
home Gu account OF sickness
Mr.. Henry Brierwood, brother.in law OF
The late John b. Smoot, and an ex-mer-
chant Of this city, who came on here to at
tend the funeral OF Mr. Smoot, was on Sat
urday morning last discovered by his
nephew, Mr.. Henry Smoot, who retired
with him the night previous, upon rising
and attempting to awake him, to be dead
DIR. VIM. Gibson was called in and pro.
nounced the cause Of death to be apoplexy.
His remains will be sent to his home ln
Cambridge, Del, for interment.
The Fanchon Club, of this city, will give
their third complimentary hop on the 10th
instant, at McBurney's Hall.
The interest on the city bonds due Jan.
will be paid by City Treasurer Harlow on
and after to morrow. the Sd.