Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1900-05-09
CITY COUNCIL.

by the Board of Aldermen accepting
the invitation for joint session, the re-
suit being the election Of Mr.. J. G.. Hol.
combe City Engineer, Mr.. G. @. Bayly
Superintendent of Gss, and Mr.. ]. Den
mis- Normoyle School Trustee from the
Second ward in place of Mr.. Geo. OAR
ley, deceased.
In the Board of Aldermen the bust
ness introduced was mostly of routine
nature.
Auditor Price submitted q communi-
cation In response to resolution pass
ed at the last meeting OF the board in
curing by whose authority he drew
warrants for street work since the res.
ignation OF Mr.. Dunn az City Engineer.
The Auditors communication will be
published tomorrow. 1t was referred
to the committee on streets.
Mr.. Lawler, from the Common Coun-
Gil, appeared in the chamber and ex-
tended an invitation to the Aldermen
to meet the lower board In joint session
for the purpose OF electing q City En-
gineer, Superintendent of Gas and a
School Trustee from the Second ward.
Mr.. Hill moved that the invitation be
accepted, and the motion wac adopted
| unanimously.
Upon the return of the Aldermen a
com munication from Mr.. Gardner L..
Boothe, Corporation Attorney, calling
attention to the fact that Council
had made 10 provision for defending
the city's interests in the mandsmus
proceedings instituted against the Po-
| lice commissioners by ex-Policeman
Spinks regarding his removal from the
force. Accompanying the communica.
ton was an ordinance authorizing the
| Corporation Attorney to defend the
city's interests and a preamble and res
olution setting forth that the embroglio
could be settled by compromised. g.,
the reinststing of MIR. Spinks by the
commissioners. The papers had been
referred to the joint committees on
finance, general laws and police.
On motion of Mr.. Hill the action OF
the Common Council was non-con.
Cured In snd a committee OF confer
ence-Messrs. Hill and Ballenger-sp.
pointed. They retired and Ia q few
minutes time reported that they had
met similar committee from the low
er board and had agreed to pass the or
dinance authorizing the Corporation
Attorney to defend the city's interests
in the matter. Later the ordinance
was received from the Common Coun-
Gil and adop ed.
A resolution was received from the
Common Council providing for the ap-
poiotment of q committee of five
three from the Board of Aldermen-to
Inquire into certain charges OF miscoD.
duct on the part OF City Electrician
Kirby regarding the taking Of some
wire from the southwestern section oil
the city and using the same In placing
an arc light at the intersection OF Lee
and Jefferson streets.
Mr.. Clark moved that the resolution
be laid on the table.
Mr.. Dobie opposed this procedure,
saying the matter should be investi'
gated.
Mr.. Clark said the charges which
had been urged against Mr.. Kirby were
of q verbal nature, and had been
brought by one member OF the commit
tee on light, who failed to substaD tate
it. The committee had thoroughly
sifted the matter. The defense had
produced witnesses, while the prosecu-
ton has failed to do so. He was sverse
to the resolution of inquiry, as he re-
garded the procedure unnecessary.
Council had nothing to do with the
charge that had been brought against
the electrician; the latter was employ
ed by the committee on light, who
could dispense with his services at any
time.
A vote was finally taken and the
resolution was laid on the table by the
following vote: Ayes, Messrs. Hill,
Bsllenger, Clark, j. 7. Sweeney and
Mr.. President-5. Noes, Messrs. Dobie,
Curtin and w. II. Sweeney-3.
After the announcement of the vote
he'd been made Mr.. ]. I. Sweeney took
the floor and made q very animated
speech against those concerned ia
bringing the resolution into Council.
He began by saying that he at first had
purposed to allow the matter to pass
uB noticed, but be realized that it was a
reflection upon the committee on light.
He was amused at the friends of the
resolution. Rumors concerning MIR.
Kirby's action in connection with the
wire referred to had been going the
rounds for some time, and those who
were circulating them had had abund-
ance of time to apply to the Mayor for
a warrant for the electricians appre-
hension. The matter had finally been
brought before the committee ou ligh!
at the instance o! one of the members.
The speaker was under no obligations
to defend Mr.. Kirby, but he was ever
ready to give every NAH his due. The
committee had no right to brand
the electrician as dishonest man.
The Police Court was the place to carry
such cases II the promoters of the reso-
luton had charge to urge. The COM
mittee on light had no power to swear
witnesses nor to resolve themselves
into court.
MIR. w. II. Sweeney interrupted the
speaker and asked if the Alderm an
were trying Mr.. Kirby.
Mr.. ] T. Sweeney replied that the
resolution bore on it's face an ugly
inuendo and implied that there was
some serious charge against Mr.. Kirby
which should be ventilated. The
speaker was not the man to neglect to
defend any one when he deemed it
proper. He then proceeded to give q
history of the taking OF the wire by Mr..
Kirby as it had been learned through
the evidence before the committee. 1t
had been taken at nearly midday by
TWO men who had been ordered to do
so by Mr.. Kirby, and had been used 10
erecting the lamp at the intersection OF
Lee and Jefferson streets. Mr.. Kirby
| sho ,p;rn halanrad IN fha