Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-08-13
CITY COUNCIL.

Council lsst night was mostly OF a
routine nature. The deadlock In the
Board of Aldermen, however, wss
broken and legislation Is once more
progressing. There had been several
conferences during the day at each OF
which the clouds seemed to be break
ing. and shortly before the board was
called to order it was apparent that a
president would be chosen and that 10 |
order TO do so the lot, which bad |
several tim been suggested, would be |
resorted 10. This was done aud the |
deadlock was soon thing OF the past.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
A large crowd OF spectators gathered
without the bar to witness the proceed
ines, most of them supposing the same
drama which had been enacted at
each meeting since the frat OF July
was to be continued. They were, how
ever, disappointed, as while they were
surging in and securing points OF
vantage to witness the proceedings
the principals to the tie-np were
formulating plans to unrayel 1t in short
order. There was considerable caucuse-
ing and 1t was finally determined the
clerk should prepare two slips Of paper,
complete fac SMILES OF each other; that
he write on one the name of Theo. Bal
lenger and on the other that OF John 4.
Sweeney; that he fold them exactly
alike and that he place them in a hat
and request Mayor Simpson to draw
one OF the slips with the understanding
that the name OF the gentleman appear
ing on the clip so drawn should receive
the unanimous vote of the board for
president. The directions were carried
out 10 their entirety and the Mayor
drew one OF the slips which bore the
name OF Mr.. Sweeney. A0 attempt
was made to start applause by some OF
the spectators, but there was no dis
position to exultatloD, every one being
pleased with the termination of the six
weeks wrangle, aud friends of both
candidates manifested the best feeling
toward each other.
All the members were present save
Mr.. w. II. Sweeney, and the clerk
called the board to order and read the
communication OF the Mayor giving bic
reason for calling the meeting.
The clerk stated that nominations
for president were in order, when Mr..
Ballenger nominated Mr.. Sweeney.
Mr.. Hill suggested that the clerk
cast the vote OF the board for Mr..
Sweeney, which was accordingly done
aud that gentleman took the chair.
In doing 80 he returned his thanks to
the board and expressed his gratiica-
ton OF the fact that the members OF
the board had finally fixed upon plan
by which chairman could be selected
and business proceed. He said that
while serving as president 1t would be
his am to give due recognition to every
member and deal fairly and courteous
ly. He recognized the fact that there
should be cooperation on the part OF
the members OF the board, as 1t would
be necessary for all to vie In order to
discharge the duties incumbent upon
the members as Aldermen. He again
thanked the board for the honor con-
ferred.
The president then announced the
committees on the part of the Council,
which will be found in the official pro-
ceediDgs. The formation of the CON-
mittees bad been previously agreed
upon by all the members.
A pile OF papers which during the
past six weeks had come 10 from the
other board was then read and the &C.
lion OF the Common Council coDcurred
in on all save one--a preamble and
| resolution requesting the Board OF
Police Commissioners not to fill any
vacancies on the police force until the
committee considering the proposition
for q reduction OF that force shall have
reported.
Mr.. Clark said he was opposed to
reduction OF the force. He thought
there were not enough men for the du.
ties required of them. He recently
walked over one OF the beats 10 com
papy with an officer and was satisfied
no man could properly patrol such an
area and be effective In the discharge
OF his duty. He favored increasing the
force instead of diminishing it. There
should be, he thought, twenty-four
men instead of nineteen. Mr.. Clark
moved to lay the paper on the table.
Mr.. Ballenger seconded the motion.
The president and Mr.. Burke sug-
gested that The preamble and resolution
carried nothing with them. They mere
ly asked the com missioners not to fill
any vacancy until it was settled
whether or not the force was to be re-
duced.
The paper was finally laid on the ia
BILE by vote of 4 TO 8.
Mr.. RsheilI, from the lower board,
appeared in the chamber with q reso'
luton, passed by the Common Council,
providing that When Council adjourned
II be to meet on the fourth Tuesday 10
August. He also stated that the lower
board were through with their business
and ready to adjourn.
Mr.. Balleuger moved to amend the
resolution by making 1t read until the
second Tuesday 10 October, saying that
should the occasion require it the
Mayor could at any time call meeting
of Council.
Mr.. Burke said the City Engineer had
some business to present which would
need attention before October.
It was again urged that the Mayor
could at any time call a meeting, and
Mr.. Bsllenger's amendment was finally
adopted by unanimous vote.
The Common Council, however, ad
hered to it's action and returned the res
olution, when the Aldermen receded
from its action and concurred In that OF
the Common Council.
The board then adjourned.
COMMON COUNCIL.
The president took the chair soon sf- |
ter o'clock and read message from
the Mayor, stating that ss In all prob |