Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-12-13
City Council.
Interest wss concentrated in the nortl

wing of the City Council last night where
the fate of the ordinance granting to W.
5. Barstow the privilege of furnishing
electricity to the city was held in the
balance. The volume Of business trans
acted by the two boards was compare
lively small. The Common Council
concluded their deliberations at an early
hour and invited the Board of Aldermen
to their chamber for the purpose OF
participating in the election OF four
school trustees. The Aldermen, how
ever, could not accept the invitation at
that time, as they had not reached the
electric light bill. The members Of the
lower board finally adjourned to the
Aldermen's chamber to hear the debate.
Later the two boards met in joint con-
yention and elected the trustees.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
All the Aldermen were present when
the boarl was called to order, and after
the transaction of some routine business
without discussion, a communication
from D. ]. Howell, who offered to fur.
nish electricity to the city at a lower
rate than w. S. Barstow, was read. The
ordinance granting the privilege to the
latter to furnish the same, received from
the Common Council at the last meet
ing, was subsequently read the second
time.
Mr.. Hill moved to put the ordinance
upon its passage.
Mr.. Fisher moved that the words, 'or
forfeiture" be stricken out of the 81
section. As be understood the ordinance,
Mr.. Barstow could throw up the con-
tract should he find it Improbable.
President Sweeney suggested that the
ordinance could not, under the law,
vary substantially from that providing
for the advertising for bids, and appealed
to Mr.. G.. L. Boothe, the Corporation
Attorney, who was present, to verify his
suggestion.
Mr.. Boothe said the President was in
a measure correct, although the law did
not forbid amendments altogether.
Mr.. Fisher-"Then, as no amend
meuts can be made to the ordinance, ]
move that it be placed upon its pas
sage"
Mr.. w. H. Sweeney inquired how
many votes were necessary in order to
pass the ordinance.
The President-"Six."
President Sweeney then called Vice
President Curtin to the chair and made
a speech against concurring in the action
of the lower board. He said this was
the first time during the many years he
had been a member OF Council that be
had been called upon to vote upon such
a measure, and he desired to give his
reasons for antagonizing the ordinance
now before the board. He contended
that the bid of Mr.. Howell was by far
the most favorable for the city, and
compared it with that of Mr.. Bars
stow during which he set forth all
the details embraced in both. Person.
ally, Mr.. Sweeney said, he could not be
benefited by Their; he had no axe to
grind and he found no fault with any
one who had been instrumental in bring
ing Mr.. Barstow 5 proposition to Coun-
Gil or in furthering it. He, however, as
a member of Council was determined to
act in what he believed TO be for the
interests of the public. While not versed
in electrical matters, lie was aware OF
the fact that the proposition before the
board was to give away valuable fran
chise, which was likely to become still
more valuable in the future. He then
recapitulated the propositions of Messrs.
Howell and Barstow, as well as previous
bids which had been made by others TO
furnish electricity to the city. The
speaker said he had been charged with
being an obstructionist, which he repu-
dated, and referred to the fact that he,
in point of service. was the Oldest
member of Council, aud said that dur
ing the many years he had been a MEM
Der of one board or the other he had
ever acted in a manner which he be-
lieved to he to the interests of those who
made him their representative. He
would, therefore, vote against the ordi-
nance.
Mr.. Fisher again took the floor. He
said be was opposed to selling the cleo
trio light plant and especially under
present conditions and selected several
provisions which did not meet with his
appreciation. The speaker saw no reason
why Mr.. Barstow could not throw up
the contract should he find it would
prove improbable, in which event bis
forfeiture would be light.
Mr.. Burke addressing Mr.. 30 the, ask
ed "Should Mr. Barstow throw up the
contract, would he not forfeit $40, O00?"
Mr.. Boothe-"Unquestionably."
Mr.. w. H. Sweeney spoke in defense
OF the action of the committee in the
matter. The ordinance was not drawn
up IN accordance with Mr.. Barstow's
proposal, but after that adopted in Rich
mond. 1t would be impossible for all
to agree on any ordinance 10 all its de-
tails. The same subject had confronted
Council during the past five or six years,
aud he now favored somebody doing
something The assertion 10 the effect
that the city can do nothing is again
raised, and the committee, realizing
that, had done the best they could.
President Sweeney and Mr.. Fisher
said they were convinced that the COM
mittee had acted through the best mo-
tive in the matter.
Mr.. Hill said the subject under con-
n;ln.nl;n,, .rnn nr,n 10 hini, bod CON frnnfad