The times., 1899-12-13
ALEXANDRIA NEWS.

ALEXANDRIA, Va, Dec. 12.-The Virginia
House OF Delegates in session at Richmond Mon
day afternoon passed a bill authorizing the
board OF supervisors OF Alexandria county to
place bonds OF the county in the market TO the
amount OF Sl50, 900. This sum is TO be expended
for the improvement Of roads IN Alexandria
county.
The bin authorizing the issuance OF bonds
introduced early IN the session by Mr.. Frank
Hume the delegate from Alexandra county
II resulted from long agitation OF the subject
OF good county roads; matter which was forci-
bly brought TO the attention of the authorities
over a year ago. when Governor j. Hoge Tyler
and other high officials Of the State visited Alex
andria county the occasion OF the dedIca
tion OF the county court house at Fort Myer
Heights. Speeches made at that ceremony led
TO future discussion Of the subject, and upon the
election Of Mr.. Hume the State Legislature
early last fall the matter assumed definite shape
In the introduction OF the bill mentioned
II is understood to he the intention of the
board OF development OF Alexandria city and
county, recently organized with Mr.. il. NJ
Lothrop OF this C..y as president, 20 press the
passage Of this measure by the State Senate in
order to hasten as TAR as possible the improve
ment of the county IN this direction. Whether
the matter will occupy unlimited attention at
the meeting OF this organization in Alexandria
city Monday next has not been definitely settled
1t is stated as probable, however, that considcra-
tion Will be given TO this matter as well
suggestions which may be made for the ad-
vancement of the project for the construction
OF the Memorial Bridge. This latter measure,
il is understood Will be urged upon Congress
with full force by the representatives. of the
board OF development.
MIR j. W Payne, the expert employed TO ex-
anime the accounts of the county, has completed
his lahors The conclusions reached by Mr..
Payne are now, II IS said in the hands Of the
board OF supervisors OF the county. All official
reports previous 20 Mr.. Payne's have been given
out promptly but in the present instance, the
supervisors refuse diyuge the experts findings
II is stated on high authority, however, that
shortage which is said TO be satisfactorily
planned amounting to Sl,9IL26, was found IN
the accounts OF County Treasurer William Nlblrt.
Deducting an allowance for his commission, the
same authority says shortage oil Sl's-S6S Is
still shown in the experts report
In explanation Of this difference, II Is eN-
planned that Mr. Wibirt, who has been treasurer
OF the county for many years, has voluntarily
should have been paid by the various property
holders of the county. Further, il Is said, Mr.
Wibirt has requested time in which TO collect
from property holders all delinquent taxes Of
The sum in arrears 81 321 is said TO be charged
on the books Of the county 10 Mr.. Wibirts per-
sonal account pending collection OF the amount
from tax payers.
former county clerk, Mr.. Payne is said TO have
discovered a shortage Of Sl4 which, 1t is stated,
has been paid by check from Mr.. Young
Mr. Payne is understood to conclude in his
report to the supervisors a recommendation for
sweeping changes in the system OF bookkeeping
for the county. He is said to have reported
that the present mode IS old and uncertain,
which he alleges, is in part responsible for the
alleged mixed condition OF the county ac-
counts.
A semi-monthly meeting of the city council
was held tonight, which, after the transaction
Of considerable business adjourned over for the
Christmas holidays, TO meet on the second Tues
day In January A communication from Mayor
Simpson was read, in which that official advo-
Gated the establishment of free night school, TO
be supported by municipal appropriations The
mayor called attention to the fact that there are
many boys in the city who are compelled to