The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-16

Not until yesterday afternoon in the
rooms OF the Washington Board of Trade
was a climax reached in the consideration
by the Alexandria County Board of De-
yelopment of what is known as the new
bonding bill, recently passed by the Leg
islature Of Virginia TO authorize the
board of supervisors OF Alexandria coun-
ty to borrow money by the issue of bonds
10 repair and improve and increase the
public roads Of said county, and to au
thorize the qualified voters of said county
to vote upon the question:
Other subjects were considered by the
meeting, which was called TO order at
Ais o'clock by President A. NJ. Lothrop,
of this city, but all matters We're sub
.ordirated to the discussion of the bond
ing proposition, which debate was con-
5inued until an adjournment was forced
shortly before o'clock. Then the ques-
ton whether TO bond Alexandria county
TO the extent of $50 coo for the improve
ment of roads was still undecided, and
by close vote a delay in the final de-
cision OF the matter until Monday after
noon OF next week was agreed to by the
board.
At times discussion waxed warm, and
dramatic scene ended the meeting,
when Augustus Davis chairman of the
special committee appointed at previous
meeting TO report the features Of the
new bill. said amid great confusion, fol-
lowing motion to adjourn by G. C.
Boteler Mr.. Chairman, l demand the
protection of the chair. ] have right TO
address this body free from interruption,
and i propose to do it" He was allowed
10 proceed with his speech.
After the meeting had been called TO
order and the minutes read by Secre-
tary Clements, Mr.. Davis moved a sus-
pension of the rules in order that new
members might be elected forthwith. Wig
orous objection was made TO the motion
by J. II. Hobson. who addressed the meet
ing, saying that such a procedure was
unconstitutional; that it was contrary to
all rules and established customs for the
government OF the organization, and that, /
perhaps. there were those among the list
proposed who il would be desirable to ex-
clude fro membership Of the board Mr. 1
Hobson's statement that the very life of 4
the society itself depended upon the great
care exercised in the choice of its mem |
beers brought forth a retort from Mr.. |
Davis, that the names proposed for mem |
bership were representative men, who /
lived in Alexandria county before Mr.. !
Hobson ever heard OF the county"
Replying 10 what he termed an insinua-
tion, Mr. Davis declared that there was no
intention to pack the meeting OF the or
ganization
Mr. NJ q. Harlow, Of Alexandria city,
interposed, seconding the motion 10 pro-
coed with the election Of new members,
which was then carried almost unani-
mously. The following were then declared
members CT the society upon receipt by
the treasurer OF the necessary fee: r. W.
Darby. ". p. Lockwood Curtis B. Ora
ham J. B. Meredith r. II. Walker. A W.
Cathcart, 7. d. DeLaishmut, DR.. J. r.
Hagan. and DR. b. " Rust
Next in the regular order came the re-
ports OF committees. John b. Henderson,
for the Committee on the Memorial Bridge.
told the meeting that he had visited the
var Department had seen Secretary Root
and General Wilson, Chief OF Engineers.
and had learned that both gentlemen fay-
ore6 the bridge project Further. Mr.
Henderson said that it was decidedly best
that The Board OF Development let the mat
ter rest for the present. He stated that
the officials Of the War Department we're y
anxious to construct the bridge hut as a
natiOTal not local proposition; that they
desired local pressure TO allow the mat
ter TO drop in order that Congress might I
recogn ze the great national Importance OF
the measure now before it, and not re-
gard the bill recently introduced as u
scheme for the advancement of local in
terests In closing Mr. Henderson stated
that the plans Tor the construction OF the
bridge were being prepared at the War
NJ f. Church, q member of the commit
tee, rose to a point Of order. and asked
that the Committee on Memorial Bridge be (
empowered by the board to investigate and
report upon a certain statement made in (.
the press TO the effect that Congress de-
sired the State Of Virginia to re-cede that
portion of the State. now Alexandria
county. formerly included within the Dis
trict Of Columbia, to the General Govern
ment
Thereupon Mr.. Davis offered resolution
for the appointment of a special commit
tee. follows:
Whereas ii. probabilities Of Memorial Bridge ,
being bniit across the Potomac River are now
placed in jeopardy by -the action Of the Senate :
committee on Tie District oi Columbia insist (.
ing that certain lands along the banks OF the
Potomac River in Alexandra county shall be /
,eded back 10 the General Government by the I
legislature Of the State OF Virginia, before they ,
Nil make favorable report the construction :
. said Memorial Bridge; therefore be It o
Resolved That committee OF ten members OF 4
his association be appointed by the chair 70 I 4
rEainine into this matter. and report at q |,
ef1ai meeting ~ this association 20 be held on IL
Monday. The I'D inst. said committee shall con- 7,
Alexandra
county, two members from the city Of Alex
mora, and two nonresident members, and that {
he president Of this association shall he tie I '
.Aairn4H Of said committee. b
A prolonged discussion ensued. resulting
In the adoption OF a resolution directing u
The executive committee OF the board to Z
report at special meeting of the board I
next week upon this feature of the case. 7
Nothing new was reported by the COMMIT l.
ZEE on Mount Vernon Avenue nor wac Il
here anything of interest brought forward
by the committee on Alexandria county !
egislation.
Routine business having been disposed ID
II, the board began consideration OF the
,onding bill.
For the special committee recently ap- ,.
'ointod to report upon the features of the :
Few bill. a. B. Graham submitted a ma
'oriy and a minority report. The first n
Tss signed by five members Of the COM II
nittee, and the minority report by three "
members. Il
favorable view OF the proposition was
made by the majority of the committee +
his report was read by Secretary James Al
!. Clements, and fully endorsed the bond q
ng bill, urging its passage "
During discussion OF this report warm al
words passed between Mr.. Davis and Mr. Ii
iobsoD, The latter declaring that Mr.. Davis "
ias erroneous in his statement regarding i
he action Of the committee at its meeting, z
fhereupon Mr. Davis raised the point of II
rider that Mr.. Hohson wac not a member p
the committee, and therefore had no Ia
art in its proceedings pC
For the minority al the committee Nr. 10
douglas read report signed by three J,
iembcfs. declaring against the bonding
roposiiion In all its phases. II was stated
y Mr. Douglas that the scheme OF bond
q lNE -