Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-04-04

bled at the Opera House last night, in
pursuance Of call signed Your Eel
low Citizens" distributed a few days
ago. Ga the second. third and fourth
pages, it will be remem oered, certain
regarding street improve
ment, sewer g, light, water, taxation.
ETC., were printed for the consideration
OF the public.
Shortly after O'Clock Mr.. A. III.
Thomson arose and moved that Mr.. J.
Il. Cation be called 10 the chair, and
upon vote being taken he was elected
temporary chairman. He asceaded to
the stage aud thanked the meeting for
the honor conferred, but said before he
made any further remarks he would
suggest that secretary be chosen.
One OF the audience nominated Mr..
James Bsyne and he was elected, after
which Mr.. Cston explained the OBJ
ject of the meeting. He averred that
the movement had no political signiii
canoe, that there was no intention OF
placing an independent ticket In the
field at the approaching spring election,
nor would new parry BIS formed.
Those who had intere ted themselves
in the movement had no political axes
to grind, nor were any of them thirst
ing for political position. All, he said,
were animated by single purpose
the good Ct old Alexandria. Every
one in the audience was interested 10
the city's welfare; they wanted the
streets improved, sewerage, incsndescent
lights, cheaper water rents, etc. Mr.. Ca
ton gave rapid resume of the principles
referred to in the circular accompany
ing the call Of the meeting, referred to
the efforts made last winter by an asso-
citation of citizens for the bringing about
of such regime, and portrayed the
many advantages which the city would
enjoy, as we'll es its rapid growth, II
the objects OF the meeting materialized.
He reiterated that the gentlemen en-.
gagged 10 the movement were simply
and only acting pro homo publico, and
requested those present to give q full
expression of opinion, 10 order that the
desires of the taxpayers would be
known by those who will be elected
city fathers 10 the next few weeks.
On motion of Mr.. Isaac Eichberg Mr.
Bsyne read the circular which had
oeen distributed throughout the city.
Mr.. Ca on made some further re-
marks upon the conclusion Of the read
iug. Among other things he said be
had been 10 company yesterday with
some gentlemen who had come here
TOR the purpose OF inspecting certain lc-
cations with view of starting manu-
acturing plant. They were greatly
disappointed at the nakedness of our
river front, and marveled that such
ostural advantages remained undevel-
oped. They were, however, favoiably
impressed with all they saw and were
confident that there was future 10
store for the the city.
Mr.. M. B. Harlow followed. BE
said, among other things, that the
bringing of manufactures here was the
greatest desideratum, and called atten-
ion to the fact that many places with.
out the advantages possessed by Alex.
andris had become busy msnufacturine
centres. He urged an earnest move.
ment on the part of all Alexandrians
towards bringing about q similar statt
Of things here. He also admonished
ais hearers not TO talk despondently o.
our city, but extol it more earnestly
vieing together 10 efforts to build 1t up
Mr.. J. l. Bowles, of New York, was
the next speaker. He began by saying
ne came here recently for the purpose
Of selecting q site for a manufacturing
plant, and while go engaged he had
oeen greatly surprised at the condition
Of the streets and the commercial dead
ness which pervaded everything. He
compared such a state OF things with
be growth of Brooklyn, Buffalo, and
several other northern cities which bad
been metamorphosed from similar con.
di!ions into leading cities. The people
living in these places had put their
shoulders to the wheel and brought
about these results. These places had
thrown out inducements for manufac
turers to locate among them. and bad
not waited for people to come TO Their
cities but they had gone after them
From the speakers observations Alex.
audria must enjoy an unenviable repu
tation abroad. as he had been told moi
to invest anything here when he had
signited bis intention of placing 8
mandatory In this city. He, how
ever, was an optimIst, and believed
Alexandria was destined at very early
day to grow into manuiactur.
ing city. Mr.. Bowles then went
on to state that it was his purpose
10 utilize the old Mount Vernon
Cotton Factory into factory for the
manufacture of envelopes, etc., in
which from 100 to $50 females and
from so to 100 males would be employ
ed. The present building, he said,
would be sufficient for the early needs
OF the company he represented, but 10
the near future two additional struc-
lures OF the same size would be erected
His company had asked no induce.
ments; but it had come here believing
this city possessed all the advantages
needed for any enterprise.
Mr.. G. F. Taylor made short speech
III WuiCu 10 cukkootCu VIM Obcnp inirs
between Alexandria and Washington
would benefit this city more than any
thing else. The streets we're good
enough; we waited people here. There
were plenty of uOsightly streets in Bal
timore, but they did not check the
growth OF the city. He referred to
people who had roped Alexandria 10
years ago by wildcat schemes and
promises of starting factories, and
caused some merriment in bis descrip-
tons of by-goue iliusions and present
conditions. We should stop decrying
the city, he said. as the contagion
spreads ell over the oouatry.
Mr.. Nathan Wollberg favored elect.
ing practical business men to Council
men who would have the interests OF