Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1896-01-29
CITY COUNCIL.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.

Nothing occurred IN tne boaru VI
Aldermen last night to cause debate.
There was a full attendance OF the
members of the board. Shortly after
the reading of the minutes of the last
meeting of the board. Mr.. Strider, from
the Common Council, appeared and In
yited the board TO participate in a
Joint convention to discuss the report OF
the committee on conference on the Pc
tition of the Police Commissioners ask.
ing for an increase of four additional
men.
Mr.. Sweeney said that the measure
had already passed the board, and ne
saw no reason why the Common Coun-
Gil should desire joint discussion.
Messrs. Burke and Balienger were
of the same opinion, though through
courtesy to the lower board MIR. Burke
said he favored accepting the invita-
ton.
The board then declined the invita-
ton upon the ground that the report
had been considered and passed by
them.
The board then took recess,
after which they conccurred in the ac-
ton of the lower board on several
minor measures and then adjourned.
COMMON COUNCIL.
Twelve of the sixteen members OF
the Common Council were present.
A few spectators were without the bar.
After the reading of the minutes OF
the last regular meeting,
Mr.. Strider, from the committee on
public property, presented bills for re-
pairs to the jail. and in doing 80 refer
red to the fact that the county should
paw one sixth of the amounts charged
against the city, but as the city had
contracted with the mechanics for the
work he felt that Council was obligat-
ed to pay the bills. In future, how
ever, the committee would see that the
county paid its equitable proportion
for repairs to the Jail.
The bills were ordered to be paid.
The next business in order was the
consideration of the petition for the In
crease OF the police force. La accord,
ance with the action of the board al
the last meeting the proposition WAS
10 be considered in joint session.
Mr.. Strider, who had been sent in to
invite the Board of Aldermen to the
chamber, reported that that board saw
no reason for a joint session. They
had by unanimous vote granted the
petition of the Police Commissioners
and before doing so they had thorough
ly discussed the matter. They would
bowevar come in if the Common Coun
Gil insisted.
MIR. Uhler suggested that the board
on-concur in the conference commit
tees report on the petition and recon-
nit it.
President Snowdeu was averse tc
, this procedure. He favored an i'm
mediate consideration of the measure
Mr.. Cation arose and said he did not
want to reiterete what he had said or
former occasions in regard to the prop
osition for extra policemen, nor did he
desire to appear stubborn and persist,
ent because he had been the champion
of the bill for an increase of pay, mol
did be question the wisdom or integri
tv of the Police Commissioners, but
, when a measure for an additional ex
penditure OF money WAS introduced In
Council he felt it to be his duty tt
closely examine into the matter before
casting his vote, no matter how much
confidence he might have in the judg
ment of those who patronized the
proposition. Council, for instance
had confidence in the committees they
appointed, but how often was it the
case that their recommendations were
rejected? He meant no reflection or
the Police Commissioners, but was
merely discussing the wisdom OF theil
petition and entering into logica
discussion ofits merits. He then read
data he had secured from other cities il
regard to police matters. Petersburg
with population OFFS, 900, had % men
who received $50 month, the captain
81 900, the lieutenant $500 and the ser
geant 500. There were about 10000
, people in Alexandria, ard we had about
one officer to every one thousand in
, habitants. Lynchburg has $4,000
Eighteen men, chief, two sergeant:
and two station keepers police thai
city. The men receive $50 per month
the chief 81 200 year, The sergeants
J $50 per month and the station keeper:
$40. Danville with IA 200 people has 8
chief at 5000 and 10 policemen at S6(
per month. The speaker said there
were twice as many lawbreakers in
Danville as in Alexandria. Richmond
+ with 95, 900 population has 25O police
!, men, a chief, captain and sergeant
Norfolk's $4,000 people were handled
by 65 officers, but that city being sea
port accounted for the increased num-
her there. Mr.. Cation said he believed
there were amply sufficient men on the
; Alexandria force. He still believed the
passage of the bill increasing the salary
of the present force would be the most
sensible procedure, and said were the
issue put to popular vote that bill
would be adopted instead OF the meas
ure now under consideration.
Mr.. Suowden (Mr. Burke in the
chair then took the floor. He said the
petition of the commissioners had been
laid over at the last meeting mainly be-
cause Mr.. Uhler, chairman of the fl
nance committee, who was expected to
answer certain questions, was absent.
The speaker now desired to PROFOUND
some queries, and he asked Mr.. Uhler
if it was not fact that some of the Off
GERS had told him there was not
the disorderly element to deal
with as in former years. (Mr. Uhler
answered in the affirmative.) Mr..
Snowden referred to the fact that the
foroo had haen reduced some wears AGO