Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1909-06-15
"THE PEOPLES MONEY"
An Answer to "X."

dria Gazette a communication ap-
peared headed "The Peoples Money
and signed "X."
While the writer courteOusly re-
ferred to my connection with the
"Old Homecoming Week and the
park dedication, he evidently does
doubtless unintentionaD injustice
to others connected with the cele-
bration-a celebration which all
must admit would have been credit
able to many a larger and Weather
community.
His ideas as presented are mislead-
ing. and doubtless we're conceived
and published under a misapprehen-
sion of facts.
| trust | may be excused for pre-
sentng new facts in connection with
this matter that "X" seems to have
not been informed on.
His insinuation that the people S
money was misspent and that the
committee in charge had no right to
ask the city to aid in meeting their
obligations and that those Council
men who voted to make the appro-
priation should be relegated to pri-
vate life. is certainly unjust to the
COuncilmen who voted for the APP
preparation.
Let us look squarely at the matter.
First - While appreciating that
comparisons are OdiOus, | trust l
may be excused for directing atten-
ton to the fact that both in the Board
of Aldermen and in Council those
4 g., h, onnrnnpiqfinn
among the largest tax payers and
business men of the city. and fur
ther. when the personnel OF the eX-
ecutive committee of "Old Home
Coming Week" (the gentlemen who
asked Council for the appropriation
is examined, it VIII be seen that the
list contains the names of the veal
thiest merchants, manufacturers and
property owners in Alexandra ana
its largest tax payers.
These men are the progressive men
of the city. Men ever in the lead for
enterprise and public advancement,
and they all contributed literally OF
their private funds for the celebra-
ton.
Second.-The entire cost of the
celebration lasting a week and culmi-
mating on the 30th of April with a
visit from the President, Vice-Presl-
dent. Speaker of the House, the Gov
ernor, Lieutenant-GOvern Senator
Daniel. the District Commissioners
and hundreds of other distinguished
guests. and for which occasion the
House of Representatives adjourned,
on motion of Mr.. Carlin. our excel
lent Representative, was less than
$1,000. including the deficit. OF this
amount the merchants and citizens
of Alexandria contributed less than
one-half. the balance coming from
our neighbors in Washington city,
the railroads, Alexandria and Fair
fax Counties and other States as tar
off as from Georgia and from the
privileges.
Third. - Admit, for argument s
sake. that some Of the committees
exceeded their appropriations and
that the executive committee aprpo-
priated more money than there was
in sight; let us look the matter
squarely in the face from that stand
point and seek the facts.
Even had the committee exceeded
the money in hand with a know
ledge that the carnival committee had
500. of which, remember, $3.50 was
returned. and with prospect OF Sc
curing several hundred dollars more
from the commissions on the carnl-
val. which were not realized, or even
wore these prospects not in view,
with the final determination Of the
President and other distinguished
guests to be present, could, l ASK
could the committee be blamed Ior
doing everything in their power to
make the occasion one that every
citizen should be proud of, even II
tbev spent a few more dollars than
they had in the treasury. Should a
single thing to make the celebration
complete: should a single thing that
was needed to add to the glory OF
our grand old city have been undone;;
even though it entailed addltlonai
expense o,,
had such failures have occurred that
the first ones to have "howled would
have been the croakers and oDslruc-
tionists of today.
If is a midsummer madness that
obstructs the visions of these over
Jealous gentlemen who fail to SUD
scribe their names to their contribu-
tion. either of money for obstructive
nurnoses or their communications to
the papers. ,., uo,a
The committee on carnival sold
two privileges for $500. These were
renorted TO the executive committee.
and they made appropriations Daseu
mon this amount of receipts. vi
tbls amount $3.50 was restored 10 lh'
neople who purchased the privilege
when it was discovered that the IN
nocent" caneboard and candy pad
dies we're in reality schemes ioi
aeecing the people and bringing as
credit upon the community and clear.
" violations OF the State laws ahu
city ordinances. -,
This statement of facts alone SHOWS
that the executive committee was ho'
10 blame for authorizing the eXpeh'
diture of this sum. which had DeeI
collected and had to be repaid by the
carnival committee, for had this SSot
not been repaid there would nave e4
isted no deficit, and which was better
for the honor and business credit o.
| Alexandria to have this TAINTED
money or let the gambling go OF
oDenlv or to let each citizen contri
bnte the small sum of four cents tC
make this deficit good, through al
auDropriation of Council?
over 100000 people visited Alex
andria during the Week All "er'
nieased. Hundreds of columns o
! newspaper articles were puDlished Il
lregaTd to it.
Alexandria secured more advertis