The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-04-03
TO THE PUBLIC-In repIy
RA~-
M 49,

So to the card Of Mr.. Knowles in which he
says tina. all the atements contained in mine ii
the 9th ult 70 far they relate to him, are nm
true" have only to say that am willing TO leave
the question with the consumers of gas. Ii WAS
engaged in the practices of which accused HIM,
ann If -ary, sustain nay statements by the
evidence OF enough Of them TO convince any who
doubt them. since the publication OF my ca d. Sc
yeral persons, " no had not spoken to me on the
subject before, have assured me that my statements
were correct.
As regards the manner in which Mr. Knowles fill
ed his post at the Armory, AVID with the former
perintendent of the Gas Works. it Goes not affect
the question under consideration. The opposition
which he has shown towards me. originated in my
efforts to induce him 10 comply With his duties as
laid down in the ordinance. which requirements
WERE and considered necessary and proper by
the best authorities in these matters in the United
States Had never opposed his iDattenton TO the
duties Of his office it is probable that consumer
would never have been half SO much dissatisfied
win the quality of the gas, aid her causes of com
plant.
and when he opposed them. the Committee then act
ing sustained me in doing So, have been accused
OF persecution and warfare against him. Last
sprinE. when he was q Candidate for the office of
Superintendent. and tkcti0neered against me on
these charges, | offered him, i'll the presence of at
least a Thousand persons. the opportunity to select
any three gentlemen If tiS oCp choice and if they
satisfied after hearing the e. idence that had
in am si,lgs instance acted improJiy or an ftyfB
towards him | would publish the result of their i,
cision, and withdraw from the canvass. If hal
'from the first day that / took charge of the Gas
he could not have desired better opportunity TO
turn il to his advantage.
TO any one who ID sufficiently curious in such
matter as to desire to know how mnCn truth there
is in the paragraph of Mr. Knowles card, IN which
he say that every year since have been in office
my animal reports have contained Charges agar st
him and commented upon his neglect OF duty in
competency, unftness &c ref, them TO the two
which have been printed. In the first there is no
need OF mention OF his office or duties or anything
else come cted with him In the second, call the
attention of the Committee to his neglect of the
duties If his Office In the third (nOw in the hands
OF the printer, have urged up II the Committee
the necessity Offrequent examination of the metres
but in none have said word about "incompetency
or untitne,S"
AS 10 the inyes igrtion made in May last it is well
known that strong personal feeling did more for
him than anything else Every decision was made
hv the Committee herg equally divided. and the
Chairman gave casting vote in his favor. Mr.
KnoWle- is welcome 10 all th' advantage which he
derived from this investigation. How have con
tinued to pursue him with increase bitterness and
unabated zeal" since then it is out Of my power to
surmse | have carefully avoided all interference
with him or his duties except when compelled, aud
should have continued thus to conduct myself, had
not he gone on peacefully and quietly" endeavor
ing to make consumers of gas believe that they
outrageOusy tax for light on account of my
Encouragement. 1T IS an easy matter to make as
sersions and say that this or that is untrue. Any
one who wishes examine into the two state
ments, and have no far of the result
ap3-lt TH0S IL WYNNE.