Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1907-11-13
City Council.
A comparatively small volume Of bust
ness was transacted at the regular meet
ing OF the City Council last night.


Mr.. Sseeney, from the joint commit
tees on public property and general
laws, reported 10 favor of selling two
lots of ground near the old canal outlet,
belonging to the city, at 500 for one
and $500 for the other.
The report was adopted, but the low
er board returned the same nop-con-
CURED in and the paper recommitted
with the recommendation that the COM
mittee request the Corporation Attorney
to prepare an ordinance for the sale Of
the property on the terms recommended
by the committees.
The Aldermen receded from their &C.
ton and concurei In that OF the Com
mon Council.
Mr.. Sweeney, from the finance COM
mittee, also reported favorably on res
olution sppropriating 5000 for repairs to
the Common Council chamber. The re-
port wac adopted.
There seemed to be misunderstood
ing regarding the report Of the-commit-
tee on general laws on resolution in-
curing into the validity of the position
of Police Justice, of this city, submitted
at the last meeting aud adopted by the
Aldermen. Some supposed the opinion
of the Corporation Attorney had been
procured. Such, however, was not the
case, the committee having merely quoted
the law as the subject.
Mr.. Field, from the committee on
general laws, who bad submitted the re-
port, moved that the messenger be cent
to the chamber of the Common Council
With the request that the paper be re-
turned to the Aldermen. The motion
was adopted and the report was return
cd, the Common Council having laid it
on the table at the last meeting.
The Aldermen subsequently, recon-
sIdered their action in adopting the re-
port aud recommilted the resolution in
order to allow the committee an oppor-
tunity to procure an opinion from the
Corporation Attorney.
The report of the committees on
finance and schools sppropriating 81, 800
for the use OF the City School Board was
received from the Common Council and
laid over under the rules.
After the Aldermen had concurred in
the action of the lower board on all the
papers sent in, Mr.. Bill, from the
lower board, appeared in the chamber
bearing an invitation from the Common
Council to join them in joint session
for the purpose of Il ling vacancies In
the School Trustees caused by the ex-
piration Of the terms of service of
Messrs. l.. Stabler, A. H. Thomson.
W. ]. Boo.he and DR.. w. NJ. Smith.
Mr.. Bsllenger moved that tie board
decline the invitation, and that the joint
session to fl the vacancies be held two
weeks hence. bespoke averse TO the pres
ent mode Of procedure in electiDg officers
without previous notice to the commu
nifty or Council. Nobody knew of vacan.
cies until members of Council were
called upon to participate In filling them.
He was opposed to such action, as other
men in the city might desire the posi-
ton to be filed. The present mode of
operating made it possible TO elect only
certain persons, as there was no time for
others to appear as candidates.
Mr.. Hill, after propounding several
queries concerning the mode Of an
nounciDg such vacancies and filling them,
seconded Mr.. Ballengei's motion.
A discussion which was participated
in by nearly all the members followed,
during which it was shown that the
members of the School b srd generally
succeeded themselves, often for many
years, and that there were no contests for
the positions.
It was also suggested that those gentl:-
man whose terms have expired might
suppose from reading the proceedings of
the Aldermen that the city fathers were
not satisfied with their services, which |
we're rendered gratuitously, and desired |
an opportunity to vote for other men.
Mr.. BalleDger said Councilmen re-
ceived no pay for their services, and
should any man elected School Trustee |
fail 10 qualify by becoming piqued at
Council deferring election, there we're
plenty Of good men in the city who
would take their places.
Mr.. Hill reiterated that more time
should be given Councilmen to prepare
for all such elections.
A vote vas finally taken on Mr. Bal
lengers motion aud it was adopted, not,
however, by unanimous vote.
Mr.. Bsllenger said about seven months
sgo he introduced resolution looking
toward the improvement OF Oron0co
street from Pitt to st. Asaph. 1t
seemed to have beed pigeon-hOled by
he committee on streets. He saw no
reason why resolutions presented by
him should be hung up by the commit
ee. A report of some sort should be
made.
Mr.. Marbury, from the committee on
treets, stated that there was no purpose
~ the part of the COMMITTEES to pigeon
lole Mr.. Balleuger's resolution. O.her
Ind more extensive work now in prog
ress caused the delay.
The board subsequently Adjourned.
COMMON COUNCIL.
Council wss called TO order shortly
'efore O'Clock. Upon motion of Mr..
Villisms the reading Of the minutes OF
be last meeting was dispensed with.
The light committee reported favor
bly, on petitions for gas lamps at the
Intersection Of Duke and Fayette streets
nth the stipulation that some responsible .
arty will look after them. The report |
Iss adopted. s
The committee on finance and schools
that the sum of 81, 500 be
ppropriated to meet the deficit in the
shool appropriation, and the report was
dopted. The same committee reported