The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-14

within the gift of the people, The very
purpose Of the office is to get the police
| away from the influence of politics or
| otherwise. and so far as possible, though
indirectly and generally, 1t may be said
+, that all offices remotely are the gift Of the
people.
THE constitutional provision relating to
| cities and towns prescribed how the Judge,
/ clerk commemorative attorney, city ser
geant, treasurer. commissioner Of the rev.
enue, and mayor shall be elected; but all
other city officers are to be elected or
appointed by such authorities thereof as
the General Assembly shall designate
article VI, section IA, ct seq)
The absolute power to designate how
they shall be appointed by the city author
tiles carries with it the right to fix the
qualifications, in the absence Of very clear
restrictions to the contrary. There is moth
ing in the constitution which forbds an
employee of the Government from being
police commissioner. nor is there any pro-
vision therein which fixes his qualification;
nor is there any inhibition upon the Legis-
latUre to say what persons shall or shall
not hold such Offices. The Legislature has
all the powers of legislation and govern
ment not forbidden by the constitution it
self. The constitution expressly provides
that all city, town, AID village officers,
whose election or appointment is not pro-
Vided for by this constitution, shall be
elected by the electors of such cities,
towns, or villages, or some division there
of; or appointed by such authorities there
of as the General Assembly shall desig-
nate article W. section 20)
a police commissioner is not an office
named or provided for in the constitu-
ton. 1t would seem clear that the APP
pointment and qualifications for this Of
flee rest entirely with the Legislature.
the question at issue is not whether the
Legislature has power to fix any other
qualifications for an officer named or
provided for, in the constitution than the
constitution itself prescribes. for the
election and appointment of a police
commissioner is to be as the General
Assembly may direct
Il am of the opinion. therefore, that
the provisions of section 1913 of the code
above cited are clearly within the legis-
lative power. so far as a police COM
missioner is concerned.
1T is commended, however. that Mr..
Prices employment by the Government is
not of such a character as the statute
contemplates. He works for the Govern
ment and receives pay for it. and there
fore, comes within the very terms Of the
statute.
with these views. the court cannot do
otherwise than to hold that the respon-
dent, Frank Price, is not legally quail
fed to hold his position as a member of
the Board of Police Commits sioners of the
city of Alexandria. and judgment in these
proceedings will be entered accoriin sly.'
The Centreville Bryan. Stevenson and
Rixey Club held Democratic mass meet
ing tonight at Certreville Va, and
Messrs. r. E. Thornton, of Fairfax, and
and j. B. 7. Thornton. of Manassas, Va,
delivered addresses, which elected much
applause. large crowd was present.
Mr.. ]. W. Talbot, of this city, who for
some time has been connected with the
Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone Com
pany of Baltimore, left here this morn
ing for New York City, where he has ac-
cepted position with that company.
Helen Pullman the little daughter of
Mrs. Henry Pullman, who had her arms &C
cidetally broken last evening, is rapidly
recovering from the effects of the shock.
The Democrats here have nearly Per-
fected arrangements for public speaking
in this city at frequent intervals from
now on until the campaign closes.
Announcement has just been made Of
the marriage Of Miss Efiie C. Maddox and
Mr.. George w. Clark, both of Washing
ton, which occurred in this city October
9. The couple were married at the rar-
sonage of the First Baptist Church by
Rev. George L. Hunt.
a fair is now in progress at McBurney's
Hall, under the auspices of the Sarepta
Lodge of Odd Fellows. The hall is hand
someIy decorated, and the booths present
a very creditable appearance. The prizes
to be voted for are handsome and numer-
Gus.
R. E. Nails has sold to Alice N. Petit
house and lot on the west side OF Lee
Street, between Wolfe and Wilkes. for
$3.50. Rebecca Peake has sold to DR..
George T. Klipstein house and lot on the
west side of Patrick Street, between King
and Prince. and DR.. Klipstein has sold the
property to Mary E. Kelly.
colored Democratic Bryan, Stevenson.
and Rixey Club has been organized in this
city. At a meeting held last evening ].
B. Montgomery was elected President and
J. W. Brown Secretary. The members of
the club pledged themselves to do all in
their power to secure the election of Bryan,
Stevenson. and Rixey.
The Washington Brick Company, of
Alexandria County. has notified the police
here to look out for about $50 to 200
pounds of brass which has been stolen
fro11 taair va2yes R00 otfof Rrtic}es.
The authorities at Rectory Postoffice.
stafford County, Va, have notified the
Alexandria police to look out for dark
bay stallion which was stolen from that
place last night.
Charles VI. Bayless is locked up at po-
lice headquarters on the charge of dis
charging pistol within the city limits
and also on the charge of carrying con-
cealed weapons.