Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-16
AFFAIRS IN / ALEXANDRIA
Question Aff.otidg BDliceman's Right to
Become Ganddasefor Higher Office.
Board of Polise Commissioners Has
1t Under Consideration Gem
eral anarPerhonal News.
Evening Star Bureau,
T01 King Street.
Bell Teleuhone No. 1O6,

- ALEXANDRIA. Ma, March 49, 1900.
According to custom the meeting of the
board OF police commissioners, which was
called last evening to consider the question
as to whether member of the police force
might actively engage in politics was held
behind closed doors. About 9 o'clock the
meeting adjourned, and it was announced
that no decision had been reached. After
thoroughly discussing the section Of police
regulations bearing. on the case 1t was de-
cided to refer the matter to Corporation At
torney Gardner L. Boothe for an opinion.
Commissioners Bryant, Price and Miller
took the position that an officer of the po-
lice force had no right, under the reguta-
lions, to become a candidate for an office
Mayor Simpson and Commissioner Lindsey
took the opposite view, holding. that police
oh1cer had as much right any other citi-
zen to run for an office provided such can
d1dacy dad not interfere with his duties as
policeman. The mayor and Mr.. Lindsey
took the ground that the state laws made
every citizen eligible to an office in the gift
of the people, and that as policeman is g
citizen he is necessarily eligible.
AS before stated, the question applies to
Policeman Frank Spinks, who has an
nounced himself a candidate for the office
Of city sergeant. Commissioner Price
offered a resolution instructing Officer
Spinks either to resign his position or to
discontinue his candidacy. Capt. Bryant
orered an amendment referring the matter
to the corporation attorney, and this ac-
ton was taken as above stated.
Another question referred to the city at
torney was that as to whether the rules and
regulations of the police force permit an
officer to secure evidence in divorce suits or
to take part in suits for damages or any
other civil suits.
Alleged Violations of Law.
Just before the commissioners adjourned
Mr.. Price engaged the attention of the
board in short speech, in which he de-
clared that gambling was being carried on
within the city. and that whisky selling on
Sunday was also common. He further
charged that the officers in whose territory
the abuse of the law occurred made no re-
port and used no means to break it up,
Mayor Simpson asked Mr.. Price to substan-
tate his charges and to mention case in
point. Mr.. Price replied that his assertions
were made on what he had heard He
law in the manner referred to-, and the mat
ter was dropped.
Union Veteran Buried.
Funeral services over the remains of Mr.
John G. Wiley, whose death occurred We'd
nesday. took place this morning at IL
o'clock at the late residence of the de-
ceased, in Fairfax county, near the Theo-
logical Seminary. Rev. E. v. Register of
the M. E. Church South in this city con-
Quoted the services. deceased was a vet
eran of the Union army, having served
throughout the civil war. Interment was
made in Ivy Hill cemetery.
General5 Matters.
Alexandria Council, Junior Order United
American Mechanics, held Its regular week
ly meeting in Mechanics Hall last evening
Considerable routine business was transact
ed, and a report: was received from the
representatives of the council who attended
the meeting Of the state council in Rich
mond. Several members of Mount Vernon
Council of Washington paid the local coun-
Gil fraternal visit, and were pleasantly en-
tertained.
Cards are out announcing the marriage
of Miss Minnie WapIe, daughter of Mr..
John H. Waple Of Fairfax Court House, to
Mr.. George Franklin Sherwood, which will
take place at Fairfax Court House at 8
O clock the afternoon of the 21st instant.
The Westminster League of the Second
Presbyterian Church held its regular
monthly meeting at the church last night
After the transaction Of ordinary business
an attractive program, drawn from music
and literature, was rendered
Under the direction of the third assistant
postmaster general, Postmaster Crupper of
this city has put into operation the new
system of registering letters at residences
by mail carriers. The system is at present
confined to the residential districts of the
city.
William spriggs, well-known and re-
spected colored citizen, died last night at
his home on South Washington street