Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-01-19
WANT A NEW COUNCIL.
MEETING OF CITIZENS FAvoRING STREET
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IMPROVEMENTS, SEWERAGE, &c.
A meeting OF citizsns iavoring street
improvements and sewerage and de-
string change in the personnel Of the
present City Council was held last
night ia the Business Mems League
rooms. A number OF those present
made speeches in which street improve
ments were urged. Ii seemed to be the
opinion of all who voiced their senti-
ments that new Council should be
selected at the coming spring election,
il being alleged that the present bodies
were at variance with themselves and
would never carry out the wishes oil
those present at the meeting. Politics,
they thought, should be elimi-
mated. aud 10 the event of
the democratic committee refusing
to allow any but known democrats to
participate Ia the primary election.
then candidates in accord with those
present should be put into the field
at the general election. 1t was al.
30 determined that at least one
hundred citizens should be induced 10
subscribe ten dollars each to q
campaign fund. A bond issue
was favored in order that street i'm
proyements and sewerage could De pro.
secuted. Some thought that by
re.renchment in repairing streets
no perceptable increase 10 taxes would
be necessary. Those present declared
that politically they had no axes to
grind, but that their main object was
to form an organization for the COM
mercisl betterment OF the city, and not
to formulate political issues.
The following were present: Messrs.
N. B. Harlow. George r. Hill,F F. Pol
lard. John Chilly. w. NJ. Reardon,
Harry Kirk, II. F. Robertson, r. F.
Tucker, DIR. Quackenbush, James
Bayne, w. B. Smoot, Henry Strauss,
Isaac Echberg,C @. @. Lesdbeater, G. B.
Carlin, @. w. Ramsay, ]. F. Tsckett,
A. d. Brockett, J. 4. Cation, E. E.
Downham and J. r. Zimmerman, jr.
Three newspaper reporters we're also
present.
About eight o'clock, on motion o.
Mr.. Isaac Eichberg, Mr.. NJ. B. Harlow
was called to the chair. The latter
upon assuming the position said the
object of the meeting was to bring
about q gathering OF the business men
of the community to consider the best
plan for the Improvement of the city.
All knew OF the low ebb at present pre-
yailing. A large number had promised
to be present.
Mr.. Isaac Eichberg said he had un-
derstood that the meeting had been
called for the purpose of devising ways
and means for furthering the city's in
terests. The administration of the
city's affairs for the past two years had
DOT been satisfactory. There had been
too much wrangling in the City Coun.
Gil and the interests OF the community
had suffered in the meantime. He
wanted no Office, but was present pro
bono publico. 1t was apparent TO
every one that the city was standing
still, or, even worse, undergoing retro
grade movement. We wanted proper
legislation, and new Council was the
great desideratum-a reform Council
He hoped all present would express
their opinions.
Mr.. James Bayne arose and said be
had prepared pamphlet bearing or
he object of the meeting, and read q
large portion of it. The paper was an
exhaustive comparison OF the growth oil
Washington and other places compared
with Alexendria's slow pace during the
past forty years. II urged the adoption
OF modern streets and sewers, showed
discrepancy Ia assessments In Alexsn-
dris and the alleged practicability Of o
bond issue for public improvements.
He, too, favored a new and progressive
Council.
Mr.. J. r. Cation spoke in commenda-
ton of Mr.. Bayne's exhibit and made
some remarks IN the same line.
Mr.. George r. Hill suggested, If Mr..
Bsyne would permitit, that the exhibit
should be published. The comparisons
were remarkable and people should
have an opportunity of studying it
leisurely.
Mr.. Cation again took the floor and
went into lengthy history of previous
attempts to beautify the city, especially
when he was member of the City
Council, and how his plans had not
met with the approval Of bis conferrees.
he now favored the elimination of DO.
litical is ues and the election of q pro-
gressive Council; otherwise nothing
would be done. 1t should be gone into
earnestly and made question OF life
and death whether or not the city was
70 remain IN its present condition of
Iethar2y.
Ex-Msyor Strauss was the next
speaker. He succinctly gave his views
concerning the issues before the meet
ing, and thought if money could be OBJ
tsined at 81 per cent, as stated by Mr..
3. B. Smith at the last meeting tf
Council, there was no good reason why
funds could not be raised for the i'm
provement of the city. He believed it
could be done without Increasing taxes.
He regretted the fact that proceedings
Of Council were not more harmonious,
and that the members did not vie 10
public improvements.
Ex- Mayor Downham subse quently
took the floor. He, too, regretted that
there was not more accord in the adj
mluistration OF the city's affairs. He
thought the time had come when o
Council should be elected which would
rise superior to petty spites and jeal-
ousies and work together for the public
good. He gave history of bis exper-
fence when 10 the Mayors office, during
which he showed that he bad endesv.
ored to formulate plan OF slow, but
steady, street Improvement. Some Of bis
ideas had been adopted by Council and
some bad not. He described the modus
operandi pursued in Buffalo, N. T.,
when public improvements were need
ad-i a Ascending admitting nronerfv