Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-07-26

is and early in the evening it vas appar-
ent that Messrs. Brockett and Williams
did not intend to recede from their
former position but would throw every
obstacle in the way OF the passage %
the bills which were pending before the
lower board. In their role rs oost'uc-
tionists they were joined by Mr.. Harri-
son and for time by Mr.. Brumback
and with the help OF the former sue.
ceeded in preventing action on the re-
paving OF several OF the important
blocks OF the city. :.
The discussion was started over the
ordinance to pave Washington street
from King to Cameron. Two weeks
ago the Common Council pa sed the
ordinance providing for the paving OF
this block on petition OF three-fourths
of the property owners with the stipu-
lation that each owner pay one-slxth OF
the cost. This was amended by the
Board OF Aldermen who required only
one-half OF the property owners to petit
ton Council for the improvement. Dur.
ing the discussion on the amendment
MI. Brockett ssked that the city engi-
neer appear before the board that he
might give some information in regard
to the proposed work. This started
hot exchange OF courtesies with MIR
Marshall, who said that he objected to
Mr.. Dunn's presence, not on personal
grounds because he thought that he
was one OF the best city engineers in
the country, but because he was tired
OF the methods which were being used
to delay the passage OF the ordinances.
He said that the people of the city
we're becoming disgusted with the &C
ton OF the Council in hindering work
that was so urgently needed and that
as a representative OF the taxpayers he
would insist that some action be taken
at once. He thought that the matter
had been thoroughly thrashed out and
saw no reason why Mr.. Dunn should
be brought into the discussion.
The chair ruled that MIR. Dunn could
be present and upon his arrival Mr..
Brockett propounded a number OF
questions as to the effect on Washing
ton streets if only half Of the property
owners pay their assessment and have
the work done. Mr.. Dunn did not
throw much light on the subject as he
stated that any member OF the Council
could imagine what the streets would
look like as we'll as he could. Until
the ordinance was passed fixing the
grade on Washington street it was i'm
possible to tell just what would be done
with the unimproved portion OF the
street but he thought any work done
would be as safe at present. II his
suggestion OF the grade was adopted
the new paving would be from twelve
to twenty four inches lower in places
than the present cobble stones and con-
sequently il any OF the old paving was
left it would be this much higher when
the new work was completed.
Mr.. Birrell then secured the floor
and in the course OF few minutes
made one OF the most bitter and caus-
tic speeches that has ever been heard
on the Council floor. Calling his col
league from the third ward, Mr..
Brockett, by name, Mr.. Birrell re-
fsrred to him as "a member who is
trying TO mystify this body, who is
bamboozling the people Of this town,
drawing on his imagination, and build
ing castles in the air." He said that
he was astonished at Brockett's action
ip posing before the public as an Opt
mist and believer in public improve
ments yet in the council chamber is
found trying to prevent the passage OF
bills which will give the people what
they want. Mr.. Birrell waxed elo-
quent when he spoke OF the optimist
who has turned pessimist and said
that he then became the worse person
in the world
Mr.. Brockett arose to the question Of
personal privilege and in his remarks
addressed to Mr.. Birrell denied that he
was opposed to public Improvements
but on the contrary was very much in
favor of them. He did not think that
anything would be accomplished by the
passing OF the pending ordinances and
therefore intended to oppose them to
the bitter end. He referred to his work
for the city which stood az testimonial
to the fact that he had always taken
leading part in tho work OF improving
Alexandria. When the work on North
Washington street was commenced he
secured the signatures OF many Of the
property owners and paid thousands OF
dollars into the city treasury. Hardly
a single square in the city had been
paved except with his work and per-
sonal contribution, and people who
knew his record would not believe the
charges made by Mr.. Birrell.
Hardly had the excitement between
Messrs. Brockett and Birrell subsidized
when Mr.. Brunback threw his gaunt-
let into the arena and was able to fur
ther romplicate matters. He had been