Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-06-20
CITY COUNCIL.

There was but one paper considered !
at the called meeting OF the City Coun-
Gil lsst night--the resignation OF Mr.. J.
G. Holcombe, City Eogineer-and the |
session lasted sn hour and forty min
utes. Mr.. Holcombe. 1t will b. remem-
bered, 10 submitting his resignation |
asked that 1t be allowed to take effect |
July 81, and that he receive pay uutil1
July 81, it being his intention to leave
for the Philippine Islands 10 few days.
Last night he amended his petition at
the request of joint meeting of Coun-
Gil by asking pay from June 20 to July
%. The Common Council received
the report of the committee, but agreed
to pay Mr.. Holcombe up to the 1st Of
July only. Five Aldermen favored
granting Mr.. Holcombe's request, but
two were averse to 1t, and as 1t requir-
ed six to pass such a measure on the
night OF Its introduction, there was but
one thing to do. and that was to concur
10 the action OF the Common Council,
which board voted to allow the retiring
City Engineer pay from June % to July
/. This was accordingly done by the
Aldermen.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
Seven Aldermen were present, Mr..
J. T. Sweeney being absent.
Upon the board being called to or.
der the communication OF Mayor Simp-
son, stating that he had convened
Council for the purpose OF considering
Mr.. Holcombe's resignation and bis re-
quest, was read.
Later Messrs. Appich and Evans, OF
the lower board, appeared In the cham
Der and stated that they had been ap-
pointed by the Common Council to con-
fer with similar committee of the
Board OF Aldermen to consider the
resignation OF Mr.. Holcombe sGd ask
him to amend bis request. Messrs.
Marbury and Clark were appointed on
the part of this board. After their re-
turn they stated that Mr.. Holcombe
had been In consultation with them
and that be had amended his petition
by asking pay from June 81 to July ~.
Subsequently the resignation was
| received from the Common Council
the endorsement showing that that
body had allowed Mr.. Holoombe pay
only from June % to July L.
Mr.. Clark moved q nOu.concurrence
and that the retiring City Engineer be
allowed pay for one month, in accord
aDce with his petition.
This was lost--syes 5, noes 2-siz
votes being required. The vote stood
Ayes, Messrs. Hill, Doble, Marbury
CLARK and Mr.. President. Noes
Messrs. Curtin and w. II. Sweeney.
Mr., Curtin moved that the Alder
men concur In the action of the lower
board. This was lost by the following
vote: Ayes, Messrs. Curtin and W
la. Sweeney-2. Noes. Messrs. Hill
Dobie, Marbury and Clark and Mr..
President-5.
Mr.. Hill then offered resolution or
dering the Auditor to draw his warrant
10 favor of Mr.. Holcombe for the term
specified 10 his petition. This was also
lost by the same vote which prevailed
on Mr.. Clsrk's amendment.
Mr.. Hill then moved that the Alder
men reconsider their action in non
ooncurring and concur with the Com
bon Council,
Mr.. Clark seconded the motion, ant
said he did so from the fact that Mr.
Holcombe had faithfully fulfilled the
duties of his position for fourteen
months, during which time he had
never lost day. Not to concur would
mean to the retiring City Engineer the
loss of eight days pay. The speaker
thought 1t wrong to turn him out OF hii
Office under such circumstances.
The motion prevailed and the board
adjourned.
COMMON COUNCIL.
The Mayors call was read. He an
uouuced that he called the meeting
solely to consider the resignation o
the City Engineer. A paper from En-
gineer Holcombe tending bis resigns
ton to take effect on July 81, and ask
ing leave OF absence with pay from Jun'
81 was read.
Mr.. Lawler was opposed to accepting
the RESIGNATION as offered. To accep
1t as proposed on July 81. and gran
leave OF absence from June 81 would b.
to leave the city without an engineer
and pay for work that was not to b.
done.
Mr.. Trimyer fully agreed with Mr.
Lswler and thought It very necessary
that the city should have an engineer Il
supervise the present work. He wa
not willing to grant Mr.. Holcombs'
request. He appreciated Mr.. Hol
combe's situation, but he did not thinl
it fair and just to continue to draw pay
az an engineer when he was 10 another
land.
Mr.. Appich said we were marbl'
hearted enough to turn down the En
giueer and 1t was just to grant hin
what he asks. "Mr. Dunn has done d
twice and he will do US again II he get
better place." He was surprised
the statement which had been made
Mr.. Holcombe was looking out fol
himself and family. He did not see AM
occasion for Mr.. Trimyer's remarks.
Mr.. Lswler said he challenged the
statement Of Mr.. Appich as he knew
that Mr.. Dunn would come here anC
stay here for two years and for two
years more II Council elected bin, even
il he were offered 81, 600 per annum else
where. He thought the assertions Of
Mr.. Appich were unoalled for and did
Injustice to members who voted for Mr.
Dunn. He thought that each member
of the Council had right to vote for
whom he pleased and sentiment ought
to be wiped out II the city's interest de
msnded.
Mr.. Appich-You 90 ahead. 1t Is al