Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-02-24
CITY COUNCIL.

/ " $3.50 CooOAuOo ny tnN
selection last week of Mr.. Samuel l..
Monroe, for that position, the regular
semi-monthly meeting of the City
Council last night attracted but little
attention, and the number of spectators
was small. None appeared without the
bar in the Aldermen's chamber.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
Seven Aldermen were present, and
the lr5ceediugs caused but little discus.
sion.
The clerk was absent and Mr. Frank
Grimes Glled his position pro tempore.
A letter was read from the clerk to
the effect that he had recently received
a letter from Mr.. Andrew j. Byrne,
now of Detroit, Mich, asking to be put
in charge Of the gas works in this city.
The applicant claims to be in every way
qualified t)r the position, and says he
was at one time in charge of the Rich
mond gas works. He is a brother OF
Mr.. Joseph Byrne, of this city. The
clerk stated that he had mislaid the let.
ter.
Mr.. Hinken said he had heard of the
applicant. 1t appears that the climate
of Michigan is too cold for him and he
wants to get back to his native State.
A suggestion had been made that the
letter be referred to the committee on
light, and the clerk pro tempore, who
was about to endorse it, asked if it was
to be referred to the committee with it,
structions to correspond with Mr..
ByIne
Mr.. Sweeney said there was to be no
instructors tackled to the reference.
TIE committee would consult their
own wisdom in regard to correspond
ing.
Mr.. Dobie asked if the committee
had not on past occasion been request
ed to correspond with some Que capa-
bic Of taking charge of the works.
Mr.. Curtin spoke favorably Of the
applicant. He was said to be in every
way competent to fill the position he
sought. He was gentleman who had
worked his way up from the pick and
shovel, Until he was now competent to
take charge of any gas works The
speaker, however, didn't know whether
or not the city was in need of his SER
vices. II it was a line could be dropped
to him.
Mr.. Sweeney said this was not Il
matter OF dropping line to an appli-
cant for the posi!o but the question
at issue was whether or not the COM
mittee could use its own discretion in
that matter. The clerk, it seemed, had
received an application from Mr.. Byrne
for the position. He had mislaid it al d
sent communication to the Board of
Aldermen stating that fact. The note
was no IN 9re than memorandum. The
committee could and would at the
proper time conduct its own correspon
dence; they and they alone had juris-
diction in the matter, unless the laws
formulated by Council were to be g
ignored. Mr.. Sweeney also stated thai
Mr.. Byrne bad made previous appli-
cation for the position and it had been
answered by Mr.. Cook, the former
clerk.
Mr.. Ballenger asked that the letter
of the clerk te read again, which was
done, and Mr.. Ballenger and Mr..
Sweeney coDcurred in the opinion that
the letter should have been sent to the
committee on light. This, they thought,
wac the plain duty of the clerk. II
should not have been sent to the Board
of Aldermen. Council could refer the
matter to the committee, but could
give no instructions. The committee
must decide whether or not ID CORE.
spond.
1t was finally decided to submit the
matter to the committee on light.
The Mayors message vetoipg the
resolution passed at the last meeting
authorizing the Mayor and Auditor to
settle with R. It. Cook, ex.Clerk of
Gas, by receiving notes for the arrear-
ages due payable twenty-four months
from date was received from the Com
mon Council, the Mayors objections
having been sustained.
Mr.. Dobie moved concurrence.
Mr.. Hnken made some explanations
in connection with the matter, in
which he stated that the shortage Of
1915 IS in MIR. Cooks accounts was
subject to credit of sos due the ex-
clerk for salary.
Mr. Marbury, who was about to put
the question on concurring, remarked,
The committee, who drew up the res
olution was wrong them
Mr.. Sweeney-"No, the committee
is not wrong, but the Mayor does not
agree with it,"
Some further colloQuy followed, dur
ing which the Mayors message was re-
read and finally his objections were
sustained and the resolution from the
other board providing for settlement
within two years time on notes bear
ing six per cent. interest, secured by
deed of trust on real estate, was corr
Cured in.
A resolution, introduced in the lower
board by Mr.. Smith, chairman of the
committee On streets, providing for the
paving, curbing and guttering of the
south side of Wolfe street, between
Washington and St. Asaph, under the
amended SD section OF the charter.
brought out some discussion.
Mr.. Sweeney wanted to know If Mr..
Charles King, who owned the eastern
half of the square, was willing to pay
mis- quota. There were but two parties
to deal with--Mr. King aud the city.
The latter owned the western half, and
would, of course, pay its portion, the
public schools occupying it. Mr.. Smith,
he thought, should be able to answer
this question before Council acted in
the matter. Beside, we are now work
ing under section 1913 of the code of
Virginia instead of the old 33rd section
of the CITY charter.