Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-12-13
ANNEXATION PASSED.
Common Council Adopts Ordinance
Extending Limits by Vote of
IL to 3.

At half past twelve o'clock last night
after stormy session that lasted -four
and bali hours and which bad been
marked by much wrangling, parlimen,
tary questions and exchanges OF per-
sonal remarks, the Common Council
passed the ordinance extending the
limits of Alexandria by vote. OF IL
to 8, The members voting 81 the
affirmative were Messrs. Yates, Brun-
back, Smith, Birrell, Mouroe, Har-
rison, Swan, Marshall, Spinks, Chaun-
cey, and Snowden while those in the
negative we're Messrs. Williams, Broc-
kett and Leadbeater.
The fight for annexation was led by
Mr.. Smith, chairman OF the joint com.
mittee who prepared the ordinance,
with the assistance OF Messrs. Mar
shall, Spinks and BirreIl while the op-
position was led by Messrs. Williams
and Brockett.
A large part OF the time in tue early
evening was taken up by efforts of
Mr.. Williams to secure consideration
OF his resolution appropriating the SUM
Of $500 in order that a committee
might make further investigation Of
| the question. The chair declared the
motion lost for want OF constitutions!
majority and Mr.. Williams made a
vain attempt to have the minutes cor.
rected to show that the resolution had
really been carried.
When the question Of annexation
finally came up debate was limited
to five minutes and each member
spoke on the subject. In bri ef THEN
argument were as follows:
Mr.. Leadbeater did not think coun-
Gil had sufficient Information, but
would vote for the measure il the ter
ritory taken in went up to four mile
run.
Mr.. Smith presented figures showing
that the initial expense to the city
might reach the sum OF s25, 900 and
the annual expense Of maintancc Tor
five years would not exceed $4,000. The
assessed value of the property to be
taken in was about 81 900, 600.
Mr.. Birrell thought that the invest
ment was magnificent one and that
by the expenditure Of few thousand
dollars Alexandria would secure many
bere eiits.
Mr.. Brockett opposed the ordinance
because bc said that while he favored
annexation he did not want it at the
expense OF the citizens OF old Alcxan-
dria. He stated that our present school
facilities are wholly inadequate and that
We should first take care Of our own
children. II any territory was to be
annexed he favored going to four mile
run.
Mr.. Williams said he favored annex
but WAS compelled to vote against the
bill because he did not think council
bad sufficient data to intelIigently vote
upon the subject.
Mr.. Harrison said he had come pre-
pared to vote against the measure but
the information he had received from
the chairman Of the committee was
sufficient to make it plain to him that
it was wise step.
Mr.. Marshall was Of the opinion that
it was impossible to tell the exact cost
to the city as this was matter to be
decided by the judge who would sit on
the case. Many OF the best citizens
we're leaving Alexandria and going to
live in the suburbs aud unless we took
some action the next census would
show large decrease in our pouula-
tion.
Mr.. Spinks presented figures showing
the appropriations made by the city to
various railroad companies in past
years and said that now these compa-
nies had moved out Of the city limits.
Mr.. Chaunccy said that lie had
changed his mind since coming to the
meeting by reason OF the additional
information lie had received and would
vote for the ordinance. He looked on
annexation as a kind OF insurance for
the future.
Mr.. Brurback and Monroe spoke
in favor Of the measure. MIR. Yates
was the only member Of Council who
did not discuss the measure.
BOARD OF ALDERMEN.
As usual, the Board of Aldermen
consumed most OF the two hours
after they had been called to order in
recess.
After having concurred in the ac-
tion OF the lower board in granting
the petition OF sundry residents for
replacing the gas lamp at the corner
of Commerce and Payne streets, Mr.
Brill moved that the board reconsider
its action and refer the papers to the
committee OF light. He said it had
on former occasion been agreed that
such petitions should 60 before the
committee.
Mr.. Balenger saw no reason why
the board should not concur in the
action OF the Common Council, and
Mr.. Field spoke to the same effect.
Mr.. Ogden thought the petition
should 90 to the committee, and Mr..