Evening star., 1900-12-12
AFFAI RS IN AuEXAN ORR A
SESSION OF COUNCIL MARKED BY
BITTER DISCUSSION.
Charges and Harangues Disturb Sc
renity of the Assemblage-Gen-
eral and Personal.
Evening Star Bureau,
No. 101 King ST.,

and violent harangueS characterized the
semi-monthly meeting of the city council
last night. There was not much business
transacted but the session extended be-
yond the usual time. Many citizens, ex-
pectng an exciting OCCASION occupied seats
in the space reserved for spectators. AT
times several members attempted to make
speeches at once, and Chairman Snowden
found some difficulty in preserving order.
Mr.. Lawler addressed the council in re-
gard to public appropriations. He declared
he not willing to vote for the expendi-
ture Of any more funds, when it a gen.
orally known fact that the corporation was
not getting proper returns for the amounts
appropriated. Interest in Mr.. LAWYERS re-
marks became more pronounced when ne
referred to the position of Alderman Will
lam Dobie foreman of the street gang
and member of a committee creating work
for that department. The speaker charged
that Mr.. Dobie opposed the appointment OF
a new member of the street committee to
be selected from the common council be-
cause such an appointment would result In a
more prudent management of street work.
Mr.. Evans took up the same subject, and
stated that he was Informed that before Mr..
Burke was made chairman of the commit
tee on streets he had been approached by
the city engineer with the question: "1f we
make you chairman of this committee Will
you retain Dobe?'
Mr.. Burke corroborated this statement.
He thought the condition of affairs now
existing was deplorable, and hesitated to
vote for any more appropriations.
Arouses Further Discussion.
Another prolific source for sensational
discussion was opened when Mr.. LaWlar
inquired why the work around the con-
federate monument at the intersection of
Prince and Washington streets was pro-
ceeding so slowly. Chairman Burke of the
rar,lia iai hat ha ar
informed by the city engineer that M.
Bel, the contractor for hauling sand AMI
gravel for the city, had become incensed
because the city engineer had charged that
the sand was not full measure. and had not
been working for several days. This state
ment provoked some discussion as to why
Mr. Bell had not given bond and several
members declared that the whole matter
had assumed the nature of a mSerably eX-
aSpeIating mess.
Mr.. Evans bitterly criticised the manner
ir which the work had been conducted.
He eaid the men employed frequently stop
ped work to smoke and sometimes to make
stump speeches.
Prior to the discussion on this matter the
finance committee reported favorably on
resolution apprOpriating $104 to compete
the work around the confederate memorial
and the report was adopted.
Speed of Trains.
The question of speed of electric trains
in Alexandra was introduced by Mr.. Law
ler, the author of the ordinance recently
passed restricting the rate to five miles an
hour. Mr.. Lawler presented bill in effect
repeating the ordinance in its application to
KING street, but not to Royal street. This
gave rise to more prolonged discuss Ion, and
finally Chairman SnoWden left the chair
temporarily and introduced a resolution
suspending the fve-mile ordinance for a
period of forty days, during which time the
old eight-mile rate Will be observed. In
discussing the matter Mr. SnOWleQ said
he agreed with the statement of a certain
alderman who declared that the Washing
ton, Alexandria and Mount Vernon rail-
road antagoniZed the city at every move.
The chairman declared that If the COM
pany's officials did not come to council with
in the forty days specified he was opposed
to any repeal Finally the resolution was
adopted .-H
In the higher board the matter was held
up, but passed later with provision for PEN
alties for exceeding the eight-mle limit.
Creates n Committee.
resolution was presented by Mr.. Lawler,
which was adopted. naming the presidents
of the two bodies Of council and the mem
bers of the committee on streets to consti-
tute committee for the purpose of exam
inng applicants for the position of super
intendent of gas
The joint committee on light and general
laws reported on communication from
Mayor Simpson advising that the work Of
poses Of incandescent lighting during De-
cember be done under the supervision OF
the city engineer The report favored the
recommended ton and provided that the cor
poraticn attorney be requested to frame an
ordinance for that purpose, which was
adopted. resolution passed allowing
the Washington and Southern railway to
build side track on North ST. Asaph street
in front of Portners brewery.
Officers Elected.
Alexandria Council, No. 627, Royal Ar
canum. held meeting last night in Odd
Fellows Hall. The following officers were
elected for the ensuing term: ]. f. Shinn,
regent; T. l.. Rishiell, vice regent; 8. NJ.
Pullman, orator; George w. Dix, past re-
gent; James E. Alexander, secretary; F. ].
Pollard, collector; r. W. Arnold, treasurer;
H. F. Grilbortzer, chaplain; C. T. He'll
muth guide; NJ. Jaffa, warden; l.. e. Uh-
Ter, sentry; N. S. Greenaway, organst; A.
G. Uhler H. X. Field and N. Wolberg,
trustees. The following were elected rep
resentatves to the Grand Council: d. H.
Appich and H. K. Field, with George Uh-
ler and p; B. Kemp, alternates. Arrange
ments will be made to give a banquet the
second Tuesday in January.
Death of Mr.. Taylor.
Announcement Of the death Of Thomas
Taylor, which occurred last evening at his
home at Four Mile Run, Alexandria county,
occasioned much regret in this city, where
he was well known. Death resulted
after a long illness from a complication
of diseases. De, eased was fifty-four years
of age and is survived by widow and six
children-three daughters and three sons.
Mr. Taylor was in the employ of the Penn
sylvania railroad, and for a number of
years had been postmaster at Four Mile
Run. Funeral arrangements will be made
later.
General Matters.
The Alexandria Light Infantry left here
this morning at o'clock a special car
for Washington to participate in the GEN.
tennial parade. 1t was in charge Of it's
commanding officer, Capt. James E. King.
The political tea entertainment given
last night at Lee Camp Hall by the Seven
teenth Virginia Regiment Chapter, U. D.
c.. was pronounced a great success. An
interesting program was rendered during
the evening. Among the out-of- town guests
present DR.. John s. Powell of Occo-
guam, surgeon general OF the State Camp.
Mrs. ]. Carln Richards was thrown from
vehicle yesterday afternoon near St.
Asaph Junction and severely injured. The
horse Mrs. Richards was driving became
frightened at a train and ran off, throwing
the occupant to the ground. She was con-
Quoted to a residence in Del Ray and a
physician summoned from this city. Later