The Washington times., 1901-07-25
THE ALEXANDRIA TANGLE.
Rival Factions in the Aldermanic
Board Hold Conferences.
Fruitlcss Efforts Made to Decide
Who Shall He President-Many
Propositions Made and Rejected
Sweeney still Favors n Primary.

Who Shall He President-Many
Propositions Made and Rejected
Sweeney stin Favor. n Primary.
ALEXANDRIA,. Va, July 24-Today,
for the fourth time, the members of the
Board of Aldermen met in the law office
of A. w. Armstrong and tried In vain to
elect President for that body All sorts
of propositions were offered by both sides,
but without result. The Sweeney faction
is heartily in favor of holding a primary
to solve the problem Members of the Hill
faction are bitterly opposed to a primary
and have suggested everything concriya-
BILE besides this. AS there are four MEM
bers in each faction, and neither side is
willing to agree to any propositions
made by the other. the tangle has as
sumed a serious aspect and the city's af-
fairs are badly disorglnized- The matter
is now looked upon as one OF very grave
Importance by both councilmen and citi-
Zens.
Friends Of both factions this morning
undertook to settle the matter In an ami
cable manner. Conferences were held by
both factions until long after noon with
out the slightest effect. Had these con-
ferences had any effect II was the inten-
tion OF Mayor Simpson to call the board
together tonight. but as the conferences
amounted to nil. Mayor Simpson did not,
as he thought II would only result In a
repetition of last nights proceedings.
Frederick Paff. jr., President OF the
Common Council. was In favor of adopt
ing Mr.. Hill's plan. which was that Of
casting lot for president. Councilman
Spinks was opposed to this method of
uAlx h.
any other suggestion that might end the
matter.
At IL o'clock an informal discussion was
held between Messrs. Hill. J. T. Sweeney,
Paff, and Spinks in a store on King Street
During the discussion all sorts of propo-
sitions were made. Mr.. Sweeney was still
heartily in favor of holding primary
to settle the matter. Mr.. Hill was of
the opinion that the best and quickest
method of ending The tangle was the
tossing of penny, or the drawing of
one Of the two names from a hat. Both
Of these propositions were unsatisfactory
to the Sweeney faction. After a lengthy
debate Mr.. Hill agreed to a proposition
that each side name the committees, and
member from one wing be elected presi-
dent for one year, his side to have first
Mr.. Paff favored the suggestion offered
by Mr.. Hill to place the names of both
men for the position in a hat and draw
therefrom, the first drawn to be declared
president for the first year. and the other
to hold the position for the second year.
This was objected to by the Sweeney fac
tion. Mr.. Hill then offered to draw lots
to decide who should be the first incurn-
bent. This was also declined by the op-
posing faction. Mr.. Sweeney stated that
1t would be unfair to the three members
who had supported him to entertain any
such a proposition without first consult
ing them. He stated that he was willing
to abide by any proposition made by
Mayor Simpson. Mr.. Sweeney still clung
to his idea of holding primary to settle
the difficulty. Mr.. Hill then proposed
that lots be drawn TO decide whether or
not primary should be held. This prop
osition also met with the disapproval Of
Mr.. Sweeney.
Subsequently the quartette called upon
Alderman N. P. T. Burke, ii being under
stood that he was willing to agree to
any plans that might be suggested. Up
on the presentation of the various plans
Mr.. Burke asked that he be given time
to consider them, and in the meantime 1t
was decided to send for certain other
members of the board in order to get
their views on the question.
At 1890 o'clock all the members of the
board save Mr.. Clark met in the law
Office of A. w. Armstrong, when Mr..
Burke presented the following proposition:
1T is hereby agreed that the board of
aldermen appoint committee. each side
to have the selection of one member, and
upon the assembling of the board each
M meeting night president pres e shali & be elect t
shall end when the meeting adjourns,
each side to have alternate nights In nam
ing the president.
1t was stated that gentleman from
Mr.. Hilrs side could be chosen president
at the first nights meeting.
In the opinion of Alderman Marbury
the best method of solving the problem
was to cast lots.
Mr. Sweeney still insisted on holding a
primary, and an animated discussion be-
tween Messrs. Hill, Burke, and Sweeney
followed. MessIs. Hill. Ballenger,. and
insisted that the casting of lots
would be the best manner of solving the
problem. This method did not meet with
the approval of Alderman Burke. He stat
ed that were 1t matter in which he alone
was concerned he would give in. but con-
the fact that he was represent
ing a constituency, he would decline the
This brought the meeting to
q close, ana IL now looks Inat the dead
lock is firmer than ever.
Park Agnew. State Chairman of the
Republican Committee, this morning is
sued a call to the delegates of the State
Convention and the Republicans at large
to the effect that the State Convention
would be held in Roanoke August u, and
not Charlottesville, as had heretofore
been the intention of the e-committee-
The following is copy OF the call;
which is signed by Chairman Agnew and
State Secretary Asa Rogers.
"A careful investigation has developed
that Charlottesville is not equipped>with
sary to meet the demands which the State
has the right to ask. After
obtaining this information l addressed
letter to each member of the State Com I
enquirfng whether, under these
conditions, they desired the convention to
meet in Charlottesville or the call be
changed to meet in Roanoke, and the re-
plies received to date are in ratio of four
TO one in favor of Roanoke, q majority
Of the committee having responded.
Il therefore give notice to all con-
,erned that the State Republican Conven-
lion will convene in the city of Roanoke
on August q at Il o'clock noon.
The object of this convention. as has
heretofore been told in The Times, is to
nominate candidates for Governor. Lieu
tenant Governor and Attorney General.
Alexandria Division, Ancient Order of
fJibernians tonight in Odd Fellows Hall.
on North Columbus Street, conferred the
first and second degrees upon ten candi-
dates A large number OF washington
members of the order were present. After
the degree work was completed refresh
ments were served.
In the Corporation Court today in the
case of Julia b. hewitt VS.. Manley T. Rust
pt al n decree was entered ordering sale |
Of the estate of Virginia Baggett, de- |
ceased
The remains of Mrs. Fannie Gordon, |
whose death occurred on Monday last |
we're today forwarded to Warrenton, Va. |
'or interment.
1t is reported that Alderman ]. M. Hill, |