Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-03-14
TIE RULES OF THE CITY COUNCIL

The City Council meets tonight. .
II, Sc words are familiar to all the
re .,lers OF the Gazette, as they appear
fl, 1usntly at the head of the local col
una, There was more said as to the
rules on Tuesday night last than has
been said in forty years past, members
no doubt sincerely differing in their
opinions. There is still in print Rules
of order OF the City Council" adopted
JUL IA, 1874. Before referring to
these tue acts of assembly 19O2-O"-
OF page All are quoted as follows:
1.-The council, OR EACH BRANCH, As THE
CASE MAY BE, cShall have authority 10
ADOPT such rules and to appoint stIch
officers and clerksas it may deem proper
for The regulation ofITS proceedings, auu
for The convenient transaciioh o. 49, 49,
mes Ito compel the attendance OF aose so
members, to punish ITS members LOT
dis,.rderly behavior, and by vote OF
two thirds Of its members, 20 eAPei q
member for malfeasance or mlslsasance
in Office.
The citv charter is somewhat differ
emf in phraseology; note then the above
saws ITS proceedings. Section OF the
charter says:
The City Council shall have authority
10 adopt such rules and appoint Such
officers and clerks as they deem proper
for the regulation OF THEIR proceedings.
and for the convenient TRANSACTION OF
nusiness;to compel the Attendance OF
absent members; 10 punish its members
for disorderly behavior; and. by lwo-
thirds vote Of the members OF THE
BRANCH IN WHICH IT OCCURS, ,expel
member for malteasance or mlsleasance
in office.
Note-THElR proceedings. The act
Of May 20, 1903, is the last act.
The suggestion that the Council rules
were intended to be joint is not recent.
AT times rules were adopted; at other
times they were not The minutes OF
Council of July Il, 1874 read: The
members OF the Board OF Aldermen,
having entered the chamber the
amended joint rules were read by
the clerl, Of the Common Council, the
amendments explained by the presl
dent, and on motion OF Mr.. Hopkins
the rules we're adopted.
In July 1876 both boards adopted
the former rules In November 1871
the rules were revised by two members
from the Board Of Aldermen and four
members from the Common Council.
In the composition Of committees only
two membe.s from each board were al
lowed. In 1878 another effort was
made by the Aldermen for further re,
vision, but the Common Council would
not agree-later, both branches adopted
the former rules. In July 1881 joint
ules were adopted; in 1855, both
boaru, adopted rules; in 1855, no rules
we're adoptt :. in 1887 the Council only
adopted rules; - 1889 both boards
adopted rules; in roal the Aldermen
only adopted rules; in lGaS and 1895
rules we're adopted by both boards.
in 1897, Council only, and in 1909
and 1901 both boards adopted r'ilcs.
This last named Council served
until September !. 1904, the
term being extended under the ne"
constitution. In 1904 rules were
adopted by both boards; in 1906 neither
board adopted rules in 1908 rules were
adopted by Council only, and in 1910
neither board adopted rules. In num-
erous cases committees have been
appointed with no rules, but the
old ones, in force. There are laws
constitutional, statutory, common and
the law of common sense, usage and
precedent, and although presidents do
not make laws. they at times prove
good guides. The rules Of 1877 have
ever since been the guide.