Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1917-11-14

! mt % into details at this time TO
cali attention to soha Statements
that have appeared III, print as to the
reasons or presidents FOR sueh d.
version of the, public money which
belongs to all the people, to IA.
vored few who would be benefited
should this resolution become cttec-
tive. With this end in view snail
quote in part a communication ad-
dress by me to the Corporation At
torncy as follows:
Mr.. II. Noel Garne~.
Corporation Attorney,
Alexandria, Virginia.
Dear Sir:-I am enclosing here
with a. resolution passed by the City
Council authorizing an appropriation
of six thousand dollars (s6.O0O.Wt
for maintenance or assisting in the
operation Of steamboat between
Geisboro Point. Maryland, and the
city Of Alexandria. The legislative
methods followed in the passage of
this resolution or order appear IT.
regular, but that is something that
Council could easily correct IT !
based my opposition TO its passage
on that ground only. I shall not how
ever approve it,
First. for The reason that it Is a
wrong use OF the public funds to-
contribute to what is purely prl-
vate enterprise.
Second. Because there is no au-
thority Of the City Council to make
this appropriation under the State
law as it applies to the General and
enumerated powers Of councils OF (,
cities and towns" (See Acts Of the
General Assembly lDD2, 9 &, !, page !
I2O Neither is such authority CON
fcrrcd IN the City Charter III its lith, !
section. /,
Third. 1t appears TO me that tllis !,
is also prohibited by
section lS5 of the Constitution IF
Virginia. certainly if these contain ;
tions are correct, the City Charter /
:hr State law and the Constitution. .
ami I'll" unanimous vote of the two
branches of the City Council should !,
be the guide.
In conclusion | wish you IN care
rnlly examine the question and fur
nish me with your opinion as 10 thc
validity or illcgality of the reTer- !;
red to resolution
Signed. THOMAS A. FISHER.
Mayor"
In reply Ia my request tho Corpora !
ton Attorney under date of Och- ,
her 20, 1917 addressed to me the FOL ,
lowing reply whi,h quote in full III ;
otlct that it may appear in this We !.
tr. and ] also transmit for your cont !
Sidcration the original.
October 20, 1917. /.
Hon. Thomas a. Fisher !
Mayor Of the city nf Alexandria. !,
Virginia.
Dear Sir.-Replying to your ravo" !.
requesting written opinion as to,
whether the resolution passed ~
the City Council Of Alexandria ap. !
nrtrrintinc six thousand dollars for
assisting in the operation Of steam
boat between Gciseboro Point. Md:
and the City of Alexandria is such !!
i resolution AS can properly be !
pissed 10y the City Council, f't"% 10
SAY:
This resolution. appropriatny SIX
thousand dollars. does not appear IN /,
have been considered by Council. cH- .
ccpt in joint session. until the Gle !
wealth of September. 1917, wnen for
III" first time it was presented tn
III" Board of Aldermen and passed .
The same night. No official action was
had on August twenty ninth. because
no legislative business can ne iran
sactcd during IA Joint session of the
two boards. and am therefore OF
the opinion that this resolution has
no.. hccn properly passed. !.
IN regard to the objects of the re-
solution and whether the City Coun-
ell has right TO adopt resolution
arnropriatinG money for this pur-
pose:
4 municipal corporation has no
(Cnatinu"l on page ~ :.