Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1909-06-16
COMMUNICATED.
THE PEOPLES MONEY.

uSub buu ptCpolO IuS otiODBSos DiiOi On
comparatively hopeless case. He has
nothing to depend on except to prey up
on the sympathy OF the jory which con-
fronts him or tire them by extensive ar
gument in an endesyOr to prove that his
cause is Just. 10 yesterdays G-zstle,
Mr.. A. J. Wedderburn in an article
which made more than column 10 this
paper, vainly attempts to lsud to the
skies the members of Council who voted
to appropriate $500 to meet deficiency
created by committees representing
"Bome. coming Week." a proposition
which had its birth in the brain Of the
writer of yesterdays article, aud With
which the city dad nothing to do-sx.
cept that OOuncil gave them the amount
asked for, and, in addition, appropriated
5000 for extra police protection. Con-
sisteDcy is jewel with which I am
prone to believe Mr.. Wtdderburn is a
stranger and if he does not form its &C.
quaintsnce soon he will be relegsted to
that galaxy of shining "hss-beens." No
man in town knows il all, although one
claims this distinction. Mr. Wedder-
burn, a day or two ago, in a spirited ar.
gument, admitted that Council had no
right 10 make this appropriation direct,
end said he had prepared resolution
giving the city few of the assets 10 the
shape of pilasters and flower boxes OF
the court of honor in return for the
money. This, like many others of his
wise suggestions, did not suit those who
came 10 at the eleventh hour aud swsl-
lowed up the honor after Mr. Wedder-
bum had borne the heat and burden of
the proposition, aud fell on deaf ears; the
wiseacres knew better. II ever beyond
this vale of tears there is place for the
prosecuted aud msligned and those of
forgiving spirit like Mr.. Wedderburn's,
Notwithstanding the indignities hesped
upon him, be ought TO stand head and
shoulders above any ] know today.
As stated above, Mr.. A. J. Wedderburn
was the father of the whole proposition,
in fact, was the whole thing appointed
committees at will, some Of which never
held q meeting and some members of
which never knew of their appointment.
Like the spider, he wove q web around
some of the best citizens. Little inter-
est was taken until the word went forth
that Congressman Carlin and a commit
tee had invited President Taft, the vice
president, the speaker Of the house, the
governor of Virginia, the Presidents
cabinet, the senate and house Of repre-
sentatives, and that they had accepted
the Invitation to be present. Then Gull
ness gave way to activity and those who
scovned the proposition st first fell over
each other In an attempt to be leaders.
The first step was to get rid Of the prime
mover-Mr. Wedderburn. This they
did when at a meeting they ousted him
and elected Mr.. J. Y. Williams in his
stead. This isn't the end. The COM
mittee subsequently held a meeting at
which they wanted him to be conspicu-
Gus by his absence, but Mr.. Wedderburn,
by virtue OF his membership on the ex-
ecutlye committee, appeared on the scene,
much to the discomfort Of the rest. I'm
medistely the telephone bell rang and
Mr.. Wedderhurn was needed righ'
away at DR.. Gibso0's drug store, alWo't
half mile away. Thinking something
wrong Mr.. Wedderburn engaged in
conversation ss to who wanted him and
for Whist purpose and while the conver-
sstion between Mr.. Wedderburn and the
imaginary party was going on over the
phone the committee made their escape.
A man of forgiving disposition like
Mr.. Wedderburn's and one with con-
science so spongy that one day he ed
mlls an appropriation is illegal and the
next day places those who vote for 1t on
the pinnacle of fame, is deserving OF
something better than what he now pcs
sesses. Lat anyone show any tangible
uason why the city should pay this $500
or any part of it and | think the entire
membership of Council would vote for it.
Because the cit zen didn't contribute OF
his means for the support of the prOpO-
silion it doesn't necessarily imply that
he is undesirable or a sorehfsi as the
writer of yesterdays article would infer.
One OF the gentlemen "roped in" as
leader in this movement said yes
ierday that it had already cost him $500
aqd he ssid he did not know whether all
The bills we're in as yet. He had one
satisfaction, however, for be was told he
looked we'll on horseback
The article signed *" made no re
Fiction, direct or by insiDustiOn, on any
committee or any member of commit
tee in regard to the expenditure of the
funds entrusted to them, for personally
he knows them to be men OF sterling
worlh-men who have sacrificed time
and money for the city's welfare.
GEO. II. HAYDEN.
I notice in last nights Gszstts COM
..:.. To-, NJ IUaddarburn