Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1915-04-01
ROBERT S. BARRETT, President
and General Manager.
+, ONWARD w. SMITH, Secretary and
Treasurer.
ENLARGED
ALEXANDRIA.

The jurisdiction of the city Of
alexandria over West End, in Fair
ia. county, aud Rosemont and a
portion of Braddock, in Alexandria
county, went into effect today, minus
:ormalities of any sort. These places
as well as Shooters Hill now George
Washington Park, and the north
rank Of Hunting creek, from q point
west of the Reservoir are now with
in our corporate limits. Our sub
urban friends some Of whom were.
at first aversc to this, are accept
ing the situation in good humor, and
there is reason TO believe the resi-
dents of these outlying sections viii.
soon be as enthusiastic AlcXandrians,
as those Of the parent city.
1t will take time for the City
Council to work out the various pro-
Items that necessarily accompany
annexation. but the work will be ex-
pedited--that is the more urgent
mattcrs-and within reasonable
,imc the wheels of government will
be moving in grooves acceptable TO
all.
While the work Of public improve
mcntS, policing the annexed dis
trict and furnishing fire protection
wrl require immediate attention,
there is another matter concerning
which there is some diversity OF
opinion, that is the representation
N the city council which the west
Elm section Of the present city may
cypcct. There are two suggestions
concerning this issue, which arc urg-
ed by men who are giving the mat
ter close study, some believe the
formation of fifth ward--embrucin
all the annexed territory--w0u!d
solve the problem. Others. equally
as anxious for formulating plan
which will be agreeable to all con-
ccrrcd, see Il more practical way tc
settle the matter, and one which
they believe to be more equitable
They would enlarge present wards
10y the division Of the annexed ter
ritory among them.
Representative bodies in time be-
come unwicldy. 1t is so with the
present House Of Representatives,
also with the British House of Com
mons. Similar conditions exist in Il
Measure in every state general as
scmblv. 1t is too often n2,icea'ic in
CITY Councils. Hence maHy Wes'
meaning people arc eNcr aud anon
urging the substitution o; nc com.
mission form of government fo;
cities.
While we are not in sympathy
with such procedures, VIC see no
rood reason To augment the numnc:
or Councilmen because the city s
.,ccioratc has been increased some
whore between seventy !ir" and hun
,rrd Nor do we realize the acccS,
INV for creating another ward Iol
,b,. sole benefit Of this limited num'
h.,. or voters. when the present CITY
,,,rds have an average of four hun
trcd and twenty five sutfragans'
The apportionment OF the annex
ca territory to present wards "o"''
!, seems. to be most satlslaclor!
certainly at this present time or IN
til the outlying territory s""'
have increased its electorate TO al
uroximate the number in any on
ward of the city.
Mr.. Burke. representative lro.
First ward in the Common Counc'
is at present resident OF Rosemo"
and has been for several moh'iS
The Common Council can select
representative from the anneNe
district to fill the vacancy caused d
=, death of Robert l.. Monroe 0
bird Ward.
entS of West End, Rosemoi
,ck and other parts Of tn
d section are now eligible 8
a5.5 ates for any position in Ale,
l,sandt when Councilmen are
y cited they can place their ha
a he ring as candidates in Il
III to which they may DC. aSsig