Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1906-10-27
City Council.

brief A resolution was passed oftering
800 reward for the arrest of the MUIR
derer Of Chas. +. Smith. A communi-
cation from Mayor Paff was previously
read announcing that he had withheld
his signature from q resolution oferiog
reward OF $500, passed by both boaris
last Tuesday night, and giving his res-
sons for his action. An ordinance ap.
propriating $500 to be used by the
Msyor tor criminal expenses in connec-
ton with the police department was re-
ferred to the finance committee.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
When the Mayors communication
had been read 10 the Aldermen Mr..
Simpson asked if there was any business
before the board. The psLer was en-
dorsed as having been received by the
Common Council aud the Mayors OBJ
iectio rs sustsined.
so far as he could see there WAS really
nothing for the Aldermen to do, a. the
matter of Offering $500 reward for the
apprehension of the murderer ofO. I.
Smith had already been settled by the
lower board.
President Sweeney thought the Alder
men should slso act on the Mayors COM
munication from The fact that the reso-
luton had been passed by both boards
Mr.. Simpson failed TO see the reason
for such a procedure. Should the Alder
men declare the resolution operative not
withdrawing the Mayors objection moth
ing could be gained after the action OF
the Common Council.
President Sweeney still believed the
Aldermen should take action.
After further discussion Mr.. Burke
moved that tie Alderman concur in the
action of the lower board.
The qnestion-''Shall the resolution
become operative Notwithstanding the
Mayor objectionss-wss put and decided
in the negative by unanimous vote.
The resolution offering a reward of
800 for the arrest of the murderer was
subsequently received from the Common
Council and their action concurred 10.
An ordinance appropristing $500 10
be used by the Mayor in the criminal ex-
penses of the police department was also
received from the lower board and their
action concurred in.
The board then adjourned.
COMMON COUNCIL
The board came TO order at 1886. All
the members we're present.
The Chair said he had called the
special meeting to hear communication
from the Mayor
The clerk then read a message from
Mayor PAT giving his reasons for with.
holding his signature from the resolution
of the last meeting offering reward Of
$500 for the apprehension &c., of the
murderer of G. T. Smith.
Council decline to pass the resolution
over the Mayors veto.
The Mayor in a second communica-
ton stated that be had received advice
from Governor Swanson stating that he
has supplemented the reward offered by
the city for the arrest of the murderer by
800 from the State fund.
The communication was received.
Mr.. Strauss offered resolution that
$500 be appropriated as contingent
fund to be used by the Mayor to defray
The necessary criminal expenses OF the
police department.
Mr.. Burke thought the resolution
should be referred.
Mr.. Boothe said that the meeting had
been called to receive the Mayors mes.
sage aud to offer reward for the MUIR
derer, and the members should be faith
ful to the State laws which they had
sworn to respect. He held that the
board could not do indirectly that which
they we're prevented from doing directly.
Mr.. Strauss said that his object was
not to make a reward but to secure pay
ment of necessary expenses of the police
in the necessary prosecution in search
for criminals.
Mr.. Spinks advocated the resolution
of Mr.. Strauss.
The Chair stated that the meeting was
called for the purpose of considering the
Mayors message and of offering a re-
ward for the capture of the murderer,
and no other business could transacted
without unanimous consent. He also
stated that the resolution of Mr.. Strauss
could not BIZ passed on the night Of its
first introduction.
Mr.. Strauss insisted on the passage OF
his resolution and the Chair expressed
his surprise at the stand taken by 30 old
a member of Council, who be said bad
certainly known the rules at one time,
but who had evidently forgotten them.
Mr.. Brill moved that the resolution
offered oy Mr.. Strauss be placed upon its
passage.
Mr.. Uhler objected aud the objection
was sustained by the Chair.
Mr.. Brill appealed from the decision
Of the Chair and his appeal was no: sus-
tsined. 10 voting to sustain the Chair
against 5 in opposition, the Chair not
voting.
At the suggestion Of the Chair the res.
olution was by unanimous consent re-
ferred to the committee on finance.
Mr.. Birrell explained that his vote in
the Chair did not mean that
be was not in hearty sympathy with the
Offering of liberal reward for the cap
ture of the murderer, but that Council
must act legally in the matter.
The Chair said that he and Mr.. Bir-
rel agreed exactly on this matter,
Mr.. Uhler then offered resolution,
which WAS unanimously passed, sppro-
priating the sum of 800 for the arrest
and delivery TO the Alexsndris authori-