Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-14
AN ANIMATED DEBATE
CITIZENS DISCUSSING NEW
FORM OF GOVERNMENT.

A meeting was held at the Alexandria
county courthouse last night to consider
measures to improve the county govern
ment Three general proposals were
brought forward and discussed, but be-
fore vote could be reached the hour
grew late and adjournment for one week
Commemorative Attorney Mackey,
County Clerk Rucker r. C.. L. Moncure
and others over some of the acts of the
board of supervisors and Mr.. Mackey's
efforts. as he claimed. to have them take
proper care of the peoples interests, was
a closing incident.
Walter f. Weaver. who was elected
chairman at the beginning of the series of
meetings. called the meeting to order
about o'clock and the measures reported
from the legislative committee. as detailed
exclusively in The Star last Monday, were
read by the secretaries. County Clerk
Rucker thereupon stated that while he
was member of the committee he had
attended none of its meetings and was
opposed to every measure submitted.
The bill prepared by Maj Ewing was
taken up and explained by him. 1t was
shown to provide for village commits
sion to be chosen by citizens within limits
agreed upon by themselves and approved
by the county, government and to have
power to provide for village improvements
and sanitation out of taxes to be raised
wholly within the village limits
AS reported from the committee this
measure leaves to the county superyis-.
ors all the taxes now expended by item
and control of county roads within %ro-
posed village limits. Maj. Ewing stated
that he wanted a part Of the road tax
collected in the village turned over TO
the village commission to be expended
ola the village streets well as on coun-
~ roads within the village He proposed
WAC county roads within the village linn
It, sIt0u,, bestransferred from control of
the eVsN ris. ~so that of the village
COMM n. original bill proposed
that 50 per cent of the road tax collected
in each such village be returned to the
village commission for street and road
uses. but he would agree to 90 per cent
or any other reasonable proportion that
could be agreed on. Otherwise he would
oppose the plan.
The committee secretary. c. II, Great
house. stated that only one member OF the
committee at its meeting last Saturday
opposed Maj. Ewing's plan as originally
submitted, and that as changed regarding
the road ia Xthis member favored il. He
urged the ratification of the bill as
changed
Substitute Offered.
Mr. Rucker moved that Maj. Ewing's
bill be rejected, and after further dis
cussion Charles l. Simms of Glencarlyn.
favoring the Ewing bill If his own pro-
posal failed. moved to substitute Ill for
county Incorporation. Messrs Rucker,
Moncure and citizens favored this substi-
tute. Opposition to county incorporation
Mr.. Moncure said. would come from AL
exandria city and from the corporations
doing business in the county. Alexandria
wanted the territory and the corporations
We're opposed to the increased taxation
that must follow such incorporation.
Therefore bill probably could not be
put through the next legislature but if
the people would unite they could beat the
corporations and provide properly for
the great future that lay before this
rapidly growing community.
Mr.. Mackey opposed county incorpora-
ton and village incorporation. because
either in his belief would bring back ST.;
Asaph's race track. the saloons and ex-
pensive. corrupt government. The three
bills which he had prepared, he was as
Sured by Repre- sentative Cation and Sena-
tor Thornton. could probably be passed
this winter and they. would provide
middle ground. where increased taxes
would not be required. and yet proper
sanitation and police control would be
secured. He said. however. that Mr..
Moncure was mistaken about the COR
porations opposing the change of form of
government on account of higher taxes:
for their rate of taxation was already
fixed by law and would be the same under
any county government.
A controversy arose. as stated. in which
Messrs. Mackey, Rucker. Moncure and
others participated over the supervisors
acts and. while this was rousing some
excitement, the meeting adjourned till
next Friday.