Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1894-11-28
CITY CT JNCIL.


boards preamble aud resolution for
the appointment of a committee of five
three from the Common Council and
Two from the Board of Aldermen-to
examine into certain reports concern
ing the integrity and faithfulness of GER
tain police officers, who are charged
with witnessing prize fights, gamb-
ling, sc.
Much other business of a routine ma
ture was transacted, which will be
found in the official proceedings.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
The engineers bill came up as un-
finished business, and after it had been
read,
Mr. Burke made some inquiries con-
corning the fact that the bill abolished
the office of City Surveyor, while the
new city charter obliterated the posi-
ton of Superintendent of Police. Ac-
cording to the bill, the engineer was to
be indicted into Office on the first Of
next August, while the present Surveyor
and Superintendent of Police were to
be legslated out of Office on the first of
July. In other words. the city would
be minus either officer for a month.
Who were to attend to duties now in
cumbent upon them during those thir-
ty-one days?
Mr.. Sweeney replied that all officers
elected by the City Council assumed
their duties on the first of August. He,
however, saw the force of Mr.. Burke's
observation, as the 18th section of the
ordinance provided for the abolition OF
the Surveyors Office on the first of July
and the LIST section installed the en-
gineer on the first of August. There
was an error somewhere in the bill, and
it was agreed that the clerk should
proceed to the chamber of the lower
board for information. He found the
Common Council were under the i'm
passion they had altered the 18th sec
Uion abolishing the Office of Surveyor,
making that official so out Of office on
the FIRST of August, and their clerk hay
ing made the proper alteration the bill
was returned to the Aldermen, who,
having this difficulty removed, contin
ued its consideration.
The question having been raised as
to who was to pay the assistants the
engineer would be allowed to employ,
Mr.. Sweeney called attention to the
fact that the bill provided for such as
sistants only when the committee on
streets deemed them necessary, and not
otherwise.
Mr.. Burke again referred to the
fact that the office of Superintend
ent of Police was to be abolished,
and directed his clerk to read
the duties of that official from the
city code. He said there was con-
siderable work mapped out for that
public servant, and he was DESTROYS to
know who was to take up what he
would soon be compelled to lay down.
Mr.. Leadbeater was rather apprehen-
sive, and asked if it would>not be best
to proceed slow in the matter. Wasn't
there such a thing as being too hasty
in matter like the one presented he
asked. He advised prudence, and call
ed attention to the fact that several
offices were about to be abolished, and
asked the members if they were sure
one man could successfully perform
the duties of two or three others prop
erly. He referred especially to the
work OF the Superintendent of Police.
Mr.. Sweeney read from the ordi-
nance to show that the new Office
would incur no additional outlay to the
city, but, on the contrary, would be a
source of economy. The commissions
and perquisites now received by the
Surveyor would go into the city treas
ury. He defended the ordinance, and
said the city, with a proper man as
Engineer, would save thousands of dol
lars.
Mr.. Burke, however, failed to see
the economical feature. AT present
the City Surveyor employs his
own assistants; under the provisions
of the ordinance under consideration
the city has to foot such bills. More
over, he couldn't we'll see how the city
was to get along without Superin-
tendent of Police.
Mr.. Sweeney again spoke in favor of
the ordinance. showing its advantages
from his standpoint.
Finally Mr.. Hinken moved the bill
be put upon its passage, and it was
passed, ayes, Z; noes, none.
Mr.. Leadbeater introduced resolu-
ton providing for the payment of the
Oyerseer of the Chain Gang by the
week, and that he receive $3.50 day.
He spoke in favor of its adoption, say
ing this officers time was absorbed from
the fact that he was compelled to re-
port for duty every day whether there
was work for him to do or not.
Mr.. Burke said he supposed the
Overseer of the Chain Gang was paid
like ready man on the police force, i.
e., when there was anything for him
to do. During some of the summer
months, when there was no chain gang,
was this worthy to be kept on pay?
Mr.. Leadbeater-"Suppose the reso-
luton to be sent to the finance com
mittee and let them settle the matter"
Mr.. Hiuken moved that the resolu-
ton he laid on the table and his motion
prevailed.
The board after concurring in the &C
ton of the lower board on sundry mat
tiers proceed to the chamber of the
Common Council for the purpose Of lis
tening to statement from Mr.. s. s
Yoder iu reference to the disposition
of the cty's garbage, and upon theil
return adjourned.
COMMON COUNCIL.
Tho Common Council met soon after
the appointed hour of meeting.
A communication from the Mayor
suggesting that tramps coming to the
- I'D ~oou.ro6 tn xuOrty IL