Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1901-11-21

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PoIIog oMMIssIONERs.-The regu
lar monthly meeting Of the Board o
Police Commissioners held last nigh
was not characterised by any animated
scenes or discussions, although there
ives variance on one matter which came
up-the movement TO sue the city fol
counsel fees In the late Injunction pro
ceedings. Mayor George L. Simpson
presided and ell the members were
present. The first business brought up
was the reading Of Chief Webster's
monthly report. He stated that on the
night OF November Is Policeman Frank
Baths undertook to reprimsnd him;
November Is Policeman Wm. L. Davis
handed him Die baton and badge, stat
ing at the time that be had handed his
resi- guation TO Mayor Simpson. This
constituted the substance OF the report.
Il was received.
Msyor Simpson then handed Score.
tary Miller the resignation ofPolicemsn
Wm. l. Davis. After being read 1t was
received. o. motion it was decided to
al the TWO vacancies and to elect the
two policemen on the ooe ballot. The
secretary then read the names OF the
fourteen applicants. There was only
one pew applicant since the last meet
ing.
o. ihe FIRST ballot William Msyhugh
and William f. Allen each received
five ballots and were declared elected
policemen.
When the result OF the ballotiDg was
announced Commissioner Bryant said
that he was glad that Commissioner
Lawler was with the majority this
time.
Secretary Miller then re9d the follow
ing resolution:
Whereas 10 a suit OF chaBcery, insti-
tuted Ia the Circuit Court OF the city OF
Alexandra, Va, by George l.. Simp-
SOD, mayor of the city of Alexandria,
Va, against the Board OF Police
Commissioners of Alexandra, there
was o decree requiring the said
board to pay certain costs; end
whereas 1t was necessary for the board
to employ counsel to represent 1t in said
csust; and whereas application was
made by this board to the City Council
OF Alexandra to make an appropriation
TO doirsy the necessary expenses and
costs and fees Incurred by this board 10
connection with the said suit; and
whereas the City Council has neglected
to make said appropriation, or In any
other way provide for the payment OF
the said expense, costs, fees, etc., there
fore,
Be it resolved, That the secretary
OF this board is hereby authorized to
employ counsel and for and on behalf
and in the name of this board ins itute
such legal proceedings as may be ad'
vissd by the counsel employed as
necessary to compel the City Council OF
Alexandria to make 90 appropriation
to pay the costs. fees. and expenses To-
CURED by this board in connection with
the suit herein before mentioned, or to
provide for the auditing and payment
OF said costs, fees, sod expenses.
During the debate that eDsued over
the introduction OF the preamblss and
resolutions, Mr.. Lswler and the
Mayor expressed their opinions on 1t.
Mr.. Lawler said be thought the MEM
bers OF the board who had incurred the
indebtedness should pay the bills them
selves and not saddle the expense Of
their disputes with the Mayor on the
taxpayers of the city. He oonteDded
that the resolution had no business
before the police board. Capt. Bryant
said that Judge Niool had placed the
COSTS OF the suit on the board az
board, and not on the members as 10"
dividuals. He said the Taxpayers
should have been thou0ht OF before the
Mayor Obtained the INJUNCTION against
the board. He thought the resolution
would determine whether or not tie
board had any standing under the laws
OF the State.
Mayor Simpson said that the mem
beers Of the board bad not only EN-
pioyed counsel before he had asked
Judge Nicol for CD Injunction, but even
before they had consulted the city at
torney. He asked them il they could
deny this. Capt. Bryant acknow-
lodged that this was true, but said that
tue board had only employed council
"for general purposes" He said the
CITY attorney did not care TO take
stsDd between two wings of the city
government.
Mayor Simpson said the Police
Board was no part OF the city govern
ment. He also called attention to the
law creating tue Police Board, aud said
1t made no provision for the employ.
ment OF counsel or mourning debts OF
any description.
Commissioner Lawler then asked
for a recorded vote. This was done.
and the Mayor and Commissioners Law
Ter opposed It.. and Commissioners
Miller, Hi, and Bryant voted for II.
Toe vote being for and against, IL
was passed.
Commissioner Bryant then called up
the mat, or of the charges OF Chief Wet
ster against Policeman Frank Bettn:
Ooief Webster was called 10 o the room.
He stated that he bad no witnesses at
the present time and the matter was
postponed until the next regular
monthly meeting.
H. koa,d suhlaouentlv adjourned