Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-06-26
Majority in Common Council in Fine
Working Trim at Last Nights
Meeting.
MR.. BARRETT NOT ADMITTED.
Leader Williams is Successful in His
Efforts to Prevent Action on Ad-
mitting New Member.

1t was not necessary to go to Balti-
more or Chicago last night to see
full sized steam roller working in
rare form, and while it did not have
much work to do, it was very success
full while it was operated. and those
on board seemed to relish their job in
mashing out of all semblancc the
claims of Robert S. Barrett to seat
in city council The roller was in
possession of the so-called progressive
element in common council, led by the
distinguished parliamentarian, Julian
Y. Williams, fresh from his recent
trip to Peoria, where in the councils
OF the Travellers Protective ASsocia-
ton he was shining mark. Mr.. Will
liams took himself very seriously last
night, and although he had an unwav-
ering majority behind him, pledged to
fight to the last ditch, he was so anX-
ious to show his ability as a floor
leader and to figure in the official pro-
ceedings as the one responsible for
Mr.. Barrett's knockout that all
semblance of prudence was thrown
aside, and his remarks were not only
sarcastic and personal but he seemed
to glory in his insolence to the chair.
There was no attempt at Il fight
on the part OF those members Who
were satisfied of Mr.. Barrett's right
to seat in council 1t had been
agreed that the only action TO be ta-
ken would be for Mr.. Barrett to pre-
sent his certificate, and upon coun-
ellis refusing to seat him 10 jmmedl-
ately take the matter to the courts.
But Mr.. Williams seemed to think that
he was being cheated out of an op-
portunity to make number OF
speeches, and before the matter was
properly before council proceeded to
stir up enough trouble 20 take forty
minutes to settle.
When Mr.. Barrett presented his
certificate of election as councilman
from the first ward, Mr.. Williams
proceeded to cause trouble at the
start by demanding to know the ma
ture of the paper before it had been
read to the members by President
Smith. The chair refused to discuss
the paper until it was read, and des-
pite Mr.. Williams many objections
the certificate was read to the body.
Mr.. Williams then andeavored to
secure a ruling from the chair as to
whether or not there was a vacancy
from the first ward, but Mr.. Smith
refused to make a ruling on this point,
as the question was not properly be-
fore council.
After several long and tiresome ar
guments had been completed on this
point, Mr., Smith ruled that Mr.. Bar
rett was entitled to a seat as men,
Der of council from the first ward,
whereupon Mr.. Williams appealed
from the decision of the chair. The
chair was not sustained, the follow
ing members voting to refuse to seat
Mr. Barrett: Messrs. Leadbeater,
Yates, Brumback, Lambert, Graham,
Williams, Monroe, Brockett, Chaun-
cey, Harrison and Swan, while those
in favor of his admission were Messrs.
Marshall, Spinks, Birrel and Smith.
Mr.. Desmond who was elected from
the second ward did not present his
certificate last night on account of i'll
ness. but will do so at the next meet
ing.
When Mr.. Barrett's resignation as
a member of the board of police COM
missioners was received it was laid
on the table by the same old steam
roller
The chair announced that only one
bid had been received for the fran
chise for the use Of S. Royal street,
and that was from the Washington
Virginia Railway Company, which bid
S1600.0O per annum for period OF
90 years for the use of this street.
The bid was referred to the Commit
tee on Streets, Finance and General
Laws.
On recommendation of the Commit
tee on Light, gas lamps were ordered
placed at seven corners where there
are no lights at present.
The report of the Superintendent
of Gas was received, the profits for
the fiscal year ending May 3lst being
S12,50O.
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