Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-03-15

ence committee. He said he desired
to set himself right; the appointments
by the Chair Of the conference co!a-
mittee were all right, but as the Alder
men committee Vas composed of two
members Of one way Of thinking the
committee would not have been equal
~ divided.
The Chair then said; Before
proceeding to the business of the even
ing, the chair will make a statement in
regard to the special meeting on Tues
day last He then requested Coun-
Gilman Birrell to read the statement
which was as follows:
The parliamentary status OF the tax
bill is this: The law imposing taxes
has passed this board, concurrent
action is refused by coordinate
branch as to certain provisions of the
proposed law. The law is read s
second time, at which stage it i:
open to amendment. No effort is made
to amend or pass the bill by majority
OF the Board OF Aldermen. They only
non concur and for the purpose o.
reconciling any difference, ask for
conference.
The report Of a conference committed
would not bind u member who dis
sented.
A legislative body of two branches
could appropriate different amount O
money for the same purpose. Thi'
would necessitata conference.
The minutes of the special meeting
held Tuesday, March Z, indicate that 6
committee OF conference upon the par
Of this board. was requested by the
Board Of Aldermen.
The record fails to show that Com
mon Council complied with the request
and during the discussion the chair ap
pointed two members to represent thi!
board.
The ce.president was then called
to the chair.
Prior to the adjournment Mr.
Brocketl moved that Council! elect two
members TO serve On the conference
committee
THIS the vice president ruled out o
order.
Members know that the discus
sion all ranged around the prorosi
ton to take from the president tit
appointment OF a committee-a propo
sition he resented-and he made hi
selection of Mr.. Burke by reason OF Mr.
Burke's long membership on ths
finance committee, aud his reputation
in Council for conservatism; the othe
member selected was Mr.. Harrison,
In order 10 have it in the record,
propose to show that il there we're not
line OF word il the charter as to sht
CITY Council making lis own rules, iii;
Official record shows when and hoT tht
rifles we're revised. The printed COPS
OF tie rules plainly read On the title
page Rules of order Of the City Coin
eli OF Alexandria, = and are dated 1877
On July 10. 1877, committees were
appointed by the presidents Of both
branches to revise the rifles.
On November 13, 1877, a Joint meet
ing Of the City Council was held ii The
Council chamber to hear the report
Of the joint committee on the Re
vision, aud adopted Rules for The
government of the City Council. .
These rules we're concurrent.
Rule is provides, There shrS be
standing committees OF two members
from each board. j."
An additional member on light anc
streets we're appointed BY Joint action
of the two boards.
On July IL, 1881, the Board Of Al.
dernen amended sections 9 and 8 OIL
rule l6; and the paper Was sent to thi:
body for concurrence.
l nov read in part what | said Oh
Tuesday night last as follows:
The chair will receive and have
read an order or Joint resolution
amending rule 6, offered By any mem.
Der, and should it receive 9 votes, aud
the Board Of Aldermen concur By
vote Of OF more, no objection will be
made This, however, IS not essential.
have stated that the appointment OF
committees IS il the hands of the
president, aid if such appointment is
unsatisfactory then majority Of the
board can so decide, and the 9 or mora
dissenting members can nominate and
select the committee. The chair will
not entertain a motion to take from
it clearly vested right, conferred upon
him b. the rules Of the City Council,
until he exercises that right, which tia
City Council has conferred upon him
by authority Of section > OF the city
charter 10 which he has referred, The
chair appoints on the conference com
ulittee Alessrs. Burke and Harrison. .
This excerpt from my prepared re-
II arks indicated my Intention to nomi-
nate, leaving it to Council TO reject such
uouioatious should it 80 desire lem
phasize these words, il such appoint
melts are unsatisfactory then majority
CT this board Can So decide, and tie niue
CT more dissenting members eau Io1ai-
nate and select the committee. .
Such action upon tbs part CT certain
gentlemen, from whom have right to
expect courteous treatment, will not
worry ne for moment, high-hsnded
aud uuva1rautsd as it may be.
This precedent. ii set, may return 10
plague It's oIiginatoIs; it certainly will
not njure me in the eyes OF ny constitii-
snt5 OF the First ward, or lose me
the good opinion OF my fellow towns
man Of all the wards.
A report Of the street committee
fa7o1ing the appropriation Of $3.50 for