Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1889-02-12
Meeting in the County.

A largely attended meeting OF tho citi
zsns was held on Saturday night last at
Walker school house in tho county. A
permanent organization was perfected BY
the election of a. T. Douglas, president h
s. Brockett, Of Washington District II. I.
Hirst, of Arlington District, and w. h.
Hatch Of efferson District, vice presidents !;
James f. Clements. secretary, and john i.
Birch, treasurer. The Alexandria County
Improvement Association" was chosen as
the name of the organization.
GA motion of c. B. Graham, jr., the above
named officers were appointed y committee
to draft constitution and by laws for the
organization to be reported at the next
meeting.
On motion of R. G. Cunningham, the sub
ject of improved county roads" was de-
cIared open for discussion, and the issuing
of county bonds TO the amount of $50, 600
for maoadsmiz;ng roads was advocated by
bin in plausible terms.
Mr.. Graham opposed the propo stion, say
ing the county was taxed too high now;
that the burden of taxation had been great
upon the people, and he was opposed 10
making it greater.
DIR. Frank HUNS asked Mr.. Graham il he
did not think the advance in property and
the great number of people that macada-
miz d roads would bring among us would
not help to decrease the rate OF taxation.
Mr.. Hume strongly advocated the mscada-
MIXING Of the principalsroads of the county.
Civil engineer, J e. Sickles was present
and spoke at Length on The importance OF
aud manner OF Constructing stone roads; ne
was often interrupted by Inquiries anal gave
much valuable information.
j f C emenls said the tota! value OF pro
perty in the county was now eleven hundred
thousand dolsrs that the road tax was 10
cents on The 800, making road tax OF
sixteen hundred and fifty dollars now paid
by the county, besides the foe of 81 80 upon
each person over is. and under 60 years OF
age: said this would be more than enough
to pay interest on $50, 900 worth of bonds,
without Ievying one cent of additional lax
on the people, besides the treasurer's books
showed the county WAS out Of debt snf
would have surplu; of 81 ,000in June next,
and the board of supervisors could cut down
the levy for general county purposes and
advance the tax for road purposes.
Mr. W. W. Douglas was opposed to issuing
bonds and said nc in favor OF every person
doing all he could to improve the roads. lndivld-
uslly and otherwise; but to create debt OF
$50 0C0 or $50, 600 was too great burden to I'M
pose upon the people.
Mr. w. II Hatch spoke at length upon tho great
benefits Of and the manner If the construction of
macademized roads. Messrs. Matthew Trimble,
R. S. Kearney, Robert Il Vetch, Geo. Donald
son and others spike in favor of issuing bonds, to
be iadiciously expended in macsdsmzing the
principal roads in the county, aud on motion
Messrs j. E. Clements. Z. G. Cunningham and III.
Trimble were appointed committee to examine
the laws as to tho issuing of county bonds and
what amount Alexandris county could incnr in
the matter OF public improvement, and 10 report
at the next meeting.
A resolution to request the Board of Supervisors
to employ a civil engineer a. cost not to exceed
$50, TO examine the five principal roads III tho
county, to wit: The road leading from Hunters
Chapel, by way of Convslescent Camp to Alexsn-
dris city; the road from Long bridge TO the Fair
fax county line, nesr Bailey's cross roads; the
road leading from Aqueduct bridge, by way of
Balls cross roads to the Fairfax county line; the
road leading from Aqueduct bridge, by way Of
Wunder's cross roads, known IS the river road to
the Fairfax county line and the road leading
from the Chain bridge TO the corporation line OF
Falls Church and to report the probable cast OF
macadsmiZing fifteen-feet width OF said roads
their entire length aud report to this association
as soon as practicable with all other matters thst
said engineer may deem necesssry-was, on mo
tion, referred to q committee to be appointed at
the next meeting.
The association then adjourned to meet on Sat
urday night next at the same place at half past
G clock.