Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1921-10-05

The old form of city government
in Alexandria will ne abolished Sep
tember /, 1922, and the council
manager plan will take its place
The freeholders of the city yester-
day decided this question in no un-
nlistakable vote. There were 1880
who voted for changing and 31S
cast their ballot to adhere TO the
present form. The majority for
the council manager plan was exact
ly 1852.
Vote by wards follows: First, for
change, 343; against change, 83;
second, for change, 293; against
change, 81; third, for change, sos;
against change, 70; fourth, for
change, 33S; against change, rs,
total, for change, 1880; agaisnt
change, 31S.
Exactly 1903 votes polled in yes,
terday's election, ten of which were
thrown out in the various wards ow-
ing to the fact that they were im-
properly marked There are 1875
qualified voters in the city of Alex
andria. A total Of 2067, therefore,
failed to participate in yesterdays
election. The election throughout
vas characterized by apathy.
The polls closed at 5:4S o'clock
ard soon afterward the returns
from every ward were in and the re-
suit known to the public. The Ga
zette furnished the chamber OF
commerce with the returns almost
Immediately after they were counted.
Promoters Of the change IN form
Of city government were well pleased
with the decisive vote cast, especi-
ally the members of the chamber of
commerce who were active for the
CIV form of government.
The next move will take place next
June when five councilmen at large
will be elected by the people, doing
away with the present city council
and mayor. The council at present
is composed of twenty-four men,
hers and mayor. The new council
after meeting will organize with the
selection of a chairman and he will
be eX officio mayor. The councllmen
elected will serve for q term of four
wears and will receive compensation
The council will select business
manager. The compensation for
the councilmen will be fixed by a
commission who will be appointed by
the Judge of the circuit court IN
vacation. The compensation Will be
fixed for one term only. 1he sal
any of the business manager Is
fixed upon by the city council.
Neither the council nor manager
rave any power to elect or appoint
the commonwealth's attorney, treas
urer, clerk Of the court. city serg-
cant, superintendent of schools or
commission of revenue.
The duties of the business manager
will be to administer all the city's
business affairs under the super
vision of city council and he keeps
the council advised Of its needs,
financial conditions and the money
necessary to run the several depart
ments of the city government ana
the direction and supervision OF all
CITY improvements works and al.
fairs. He appoints all officers desig-
mated by the city council and may
remove them for neglect, inetiiciency
or other good cause, but must report
oil removals to city council at its
next meeting. -
The business mana ger, however, is
without power to appoint any OF the
financial or legal officers or the
clerical force or other attendants. or
the council; these are to be appoint
ed bv the council and include the
corporation attorney. auditor: clerh
of the gas, and collector, OF taxes
and are subject to control ana re-
moval by the council alone.
The city manager Is requireo t'
see TO the enforcement OF all CITY or.
dinances and to the performance o.
their duties by all city officers H aHU
to keep the city council constahIi!
advised of these matters.
Now that the election IS over
there is considerable speculation .!
the part of citizens generally as . :.
who will be elected councilman. ~
already stated five are to De electeo 1
at large. Names of several persons
already have been suggested a.
prospective candidates. No forma
announcement, however. has as ye'
been made and probably will no'
for some time to come lnasnluch as
the election will not be held TIL next
June. n
There also is, speculation as to
whether or not. the business mana
ger will be q local man or non.
resident. The question, however, OF
the selection Of the business mana
ger will be left entirely in the hands