Evening star., 1897-03-31
Effect of Recent Occurrences on the
Elections.
PROPOSED CITIZENS REFORM MCKE'
Some Comment on the Action of
the Mayor.
NJ f E I 1 n q CA L L E D
Evening Star Bureau,
No. J29 King St,

Bell IeiepnOne NO. I'M.
ALEXANDRIA, March 81. 1887
An editorial which appeared In one of the
Alexandria papers last night has called out
many expressions of indignation from
prominent citizens. The editorial in ques-
tion said:
The Washington newspaper that has
done all 1t could to defame Alexandra
county and city exhibits its ignorance Of
the late difference between the mayor and
the police commissioners of Alexandra in
the most glaring colors. to all those IA
j miliar with the facts of the case. The man
who made the raids on the policy shops,
though he acknowledged he was wrong tthe
lrles of the police board requiring him to
report all Information Of gambling to the
r.ayor). escaped with a simple reprimand.
He and another one were subsequently sus-
pended for gross contempt of the mayor
and INSTRUMENTATION. in obtaining informa-
ticn of an alleged felony and not imparting
1t to the mayor, as was their plain duty.
though they did impart it to two members
of the police board and to other persons
rot in official position. Such conduct, il
uLpunshed, would be utterly subversive of
all discipline and would soon demoralze
and disorganize the entire police force and
would certainly not be conducive to the ef-
ficient administration of the affairs of the
city. would not promote the peace and Or
der or the community, and would not ef-
| feet that hearty cooperation of the munich
pal offcers so necessary to the proper gov
ernment of the people who are taxed to
support them
Shortly after the paper was on the streets
| bt sfness men called at The Star bureau TO
| express their opinions in regard to the mat
Ter one prominent merchant, In particu-
| lar. said: The article is thoroughly mis-
| leading, and as l understand the situation.
| not absolutely true. in point of fact ] am
| SidQ tnat
| present all the facts in the case to the pub
lie. Certain 1t is our Alexandria papers do
not do So
| On all sides it can be heard that the edi-
| torlal does not voice the sentiments of
| the people of Alexandria. and they want
| the facts to be presented without favor.
| fhe people say they tired of one ma Il
| rule. and are determined to break it up. II
| posslbie Alexandria politically is In a
| turmoil.
1t is said on reliable authority that the
| allegation that Sergeant Smith has ac-
! knowledged that he was wrong il making
| the raids on the policy shops is absolutely
| without foundation i'll fact.
| Certain 1t is" said his friends. .he
| would not acknowledge that he had done
| wrong in having done his duty
A Bold Political Scheme.
! THE best laid plans of men and mice
| aft gang aglee.' was proven true again in
/ Alexandria last night. when a bold scheme
Oh 'hc part VI ctitd pOltlClanS was eX-
posed to The Star reporter by lone oh de
| gang" 1t appears that it Is the purpose
| OF this gang to elect city council al the
| spring election that will pass an ordinance
| memorializing the state legislature when it
| meets in the fall. asking that the city char
Ter. so far as the board of police commits
| Sioners Is concerned. be put back on Its
| old basis. that is. abolish the polie board
| and put the police back in the hands of the
| city council In this way the city council
| they elect can in turn elect such men as
| they see fit for the police force, and then
| bid law and order goodbye. The lawless
| class. it Is said. are going to take desperate
| chances to win IN the coming contest and
| the good people of the city will organize in
| few days to meet them. A petition will
| be circulated setting forth the scheme that
| is on hand and calling on the business men
i to come to the 'front.' and a meeting held
in the rooms of the Business Mems League
| for the purpose of nominating Il council
| ticket.
1t is conc eded on all sides that to abolish
| the board of police commissioners would be
| a great blow to the city, with these gen.
| tlemen' in charge the police force is growing
| In eff1ctency- There is more interest being
taken in the coming primary than in any
| for years past and the fight bids fair to be
| hot one to a finish. The following is a
| list of those who have so far announced
| themselves candidates for the common
council:
| First ward-AIdermen-N P r. Rurke
| ana A. w -Melchoir. Council-iuber; Snow.
den. John H. Trimyer. Jas. T. McWilliams
j. Alton Moore. Harry Burke, Clarence
| Moore. Sam'I Cuvilfier sr
Second rd-Aiderman-Theo. Ballenger