Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1900-04-18
CITY COUNCIL.

ried, a. has been the case seVera' times
during the past year. the Board Of
Aldermen declining the invitation "a
meet the Common Council 10 joint Sec
sion. The meeting was called BY tne
Mayor for the purpose OF calling the et'
tention OF Council TO the fact that tne
Office OF City Engineer was vacant. q
we'll rs that of Superintendent OF Gas
Communica of the Mayor giving
his reason for calling the meeting were
sent to both branches; and bis mes
sage urging the necessity Of having suit
able men at the head of these depart
ments was transmitted to the lower
board. More than the usual number
of spectators were present, but the pro
ceedIngs, were short and dissppoint'
ing.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
All the Aldermen were present.
After the clerk bad read the call Of
the Mayor,
Mr.. Hill offered resolution suthoriz-
ing the Presidents of the two boar G
and the committee on streets to desig
nate at once a board of examiners to
examine cat didstes for the position OF
CITY Engineer, and report the result
Immediately to Council.
Mr.. Hill said be introduced the
resolution for the purpose Of facilitating
the matter, and as the meeting OF
Council had been called to consider the
question of the Office OF City Engineer
The resolution was adopted by
unanimous vote.
Mr., Clark subsequently, introduced
resolution, Hhich was passed by q
unanimous vote, requesting the Mayor
to have Penny Hill burying ground
cleaned up and the fencing repaired OF
q cost not to exceed $40. Mr.. Clark ex-
planned the urgent need of the work re-
quired.
Mr.. Ballenger, after the Mayors mes
sage referring 10 the vacancies 10 the
offices of City Engineer and Superin
tepdent of Gas had been received from
the lower board and read, saw DO good
reason for making two bites at
cherry. Council would do nothing 10
regard 10 the Office OF City Engineer un.
ill an examination of candidates be
held. The city would get along short
time without Superintendent Of Gas,
and that officer and City Engineer
could be elected at the same time.
Mr.. Hill agreed with Mr.. Bsllenger.
Some members of the lower board, who
could not be present, would like to be
on hand when these matters we're con-
sidered. The regular meeting would
lake place next Tuesday.
Mr.. Burke, from the Common Coun-
Gil at this junciure entered the chamber
bearing an invitation for the Aldermen
to meet the lower board 10 joint ses-
sion.
Mr.. w. q. Sweeney. referring to Mr..
Hills remarks, said the candidates for
City Engineer might not be ready at
the next meeting.
Mr.. Hill said they would be il the
provisions of bis resolution we're car
ried OUT.
Mr.. Msrbury, abiding to the Office
OF Superintendent of Gas, said the pres
ent incumbent bad been deemed incom-
peient, and at present there was but
one available candidate, he, only, having
passed the examination.
Mr.. Bsllenger said the gentleman re.
ferred to had passed the examination,
but be might be proficient in theory,
only, and not in practice. He was not
ready to enter into az election under
the circumstances.
Mr.. w. II. Sweeny thought all invi-
.ations to participate in joint meeting
should be accepted and
Mr.. Ballenger-"Im only speaking
for myself; that's all "
Mr.. J. L. Sweeney favored accepting
he invitation and gave a succinct his
.ory of the legislation which had led up
% the present crisis. He was proceed
ing with bis remarks when Mr.. Smith,
Of the Common Council, appeared in
the chamber and stated that be had
been authorized to inquire if the Alder
men intended to accept the invitation
o joint session. II not, his board was
eady to adjourn.
Mr. Sweeney, continuing, said 1t was
o be regretted that no Alexandriau
,ould be found who was qualified to
lold the position, but the candidate
Tbo had passed the examination was
doubtless practical man.
Mr.. Bsllenger-"Do you know wheth-
II or not he ever managed gas plaDt?"
Mr.. Sweeney-"I do not, but Pm
Wiling to take the opinion OF the exam.
ners az to bis ability
A vote was finally taken on the invi-
alton of the lower board, and the chair |
eing unable to decide by the voices |
eard, the roll was called with the fol- |
owing result: Ayes, Messrs. Curtin, W.
/. Sweeney, J. T. Sweeney and Mr..
Presidents. Noes. Messrs. Hill, Do
lie. Ballenger and Clark.
On motion of Mr.. J. T. Sweeney the
GARD then adjourned.
COMMON COUNCIL.
The board met soon after the hour
ppointed and Mr.. Snowden was called
. the chair. Twelve members were
resent.
A communication from the Mayor
'as read setting out that he bad called
he Council together in order to con-
der the propriety Of acting upon the
inject OF securing city engineer and
Letting q superintendent OF gas.
After q recess had been taken to
wait the action of the Board of Alder.
len, but nothing coming 10 from that
osrd,
The chairman resumed bis seat and
,ked what order OF business should be
ursued.
Mr.. Smith asked what business was
sfore the Council.
The cnair-"Nothing but the Mayors
esssge and recommendation"
Mr.. Smith-"I move to adjourn"