The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-01-14
LOCAL MATTERS.
Meetinr OF tl.e CITY Council.

| ClIS COuuCil Wdo uclo IL.
| Present. Messrs. Macfarland (president)
| August, Maury, Harvey, Lee, Smith, Epps,
| Saunders, Tinsley, Taylor, Clopton, Ma
son, and Crutchfeld.
CENSUS OF MONROE WARD.
Mr.. Epps, from the committee appointed
to assist in taking the census of Monroe
Ward, submitted report. [See else
where.
| The report was accepted.
| Mr.. Scott offered the following:
Resolued, That the sum Of S4O0 be,
and the same is hereby, appropriated for
the purpose of defraying the expenses of
taking the census of Monroe Ward"
Adopted.
| FINANCE.
Mr.. Saunders offered report upon GER
tain petitions made by private parties, re-
garding the reduction or remission of taxes.
Adopted.
Also, recommending the Council to take
some action for the payment of $1,000
now due by the city, for which the holders
of bonds were making application. Ac-
cepted.
Also, recommending the payment to Mr..
Joseph Pleasants of 5000 for the use of
maps, ETC., in assessing the property in the
new addition to the city, and 500 to Mr..
Joseph Keesee. The committee were not
prepared TO fix the amount to be paid to
Mr.. Dabney Miller, the assessor, and left it
to the Council.
Mr.. Lee moved to give Mr.. Miller $500.
| Mr.. Saunders stated-in vindication Of
the former report Of the committee re-
commencing that the amount for the as
sessment be placed at 81, ,400-it had been
found that the required time and labor
had been over-estimated in the former re-
port. Hence the action Of the committee
in reporting differently now, and leaving
| Mr.. Miller's compensation to be fixed by
the Council.
Colonel August (after remarks) moved
| to put the sum Of Mr.. Miller's compensa-
tion at $3.50.
The vote upon Mr.. August's proposition
resulted with ayes and noes. Ayes, 2;
noes, II.
Upon Mr.. Lees. Ayes, 6; noes, s.
Mr.. Lee then moved to allow s4O0.
Lost. Ayes, 6 noes, s.
Mr.. Crutchfield moved to make it 5000.
Mr.. Mason moved to give $500. Lost.
Ayes, 6; noes, s.
The question recurring to Mr.. Crutch-
fields motion, it was lost. Ayes, 6; noes, s.
The Council then tabled that portion Of
the report regarding the compensation of
MIR. Miller. Ayes, s; noes, 6.
The report as amended was then adopt
ed. Ayes, 9; noes, 5.
CHARGES AGAINST THE CITY ASSESSOR.
Mr.. Saunders stated that he was about
| to submit report, which he offered with
more reluctance than ever on a similar oc-
casion within the fifteen years of his public
experience. It was report which touched
the character of an old officer Of the city
who had enjoyed his confidence and esteem
as faithful and honest officer more than
any other officer with whom he had been
thrown in contact. It panied him very
much to have to offer such a report. He
explained the facts which brought about
the report; which are already known.
Messrs. Smith and Scott Joined heartily
in the praise awarded Mr.. Miller, with the
assurance that it was with reluctance that
they Joined in the report as members OF
the committee.
Mr.. Saunders then offered the report:
"To the President and Members Of the
| COunCH:
Gentlemen,-On tho 10th Of Decem-
ber last the following communication was
received from D. NJ. Miller, city assessor,
and referred to the Finance Committee of
the Council:
'R1cHMoND, December l6, 1867.
Gentlemen,- has come
to me that there is a report in circulation
that have received bribes in the dis
charge of my official duties. would re-
spectfully ask an investigation OF the mat
ter. Very respectfully,
WD. NJ. MILLER
"The committee met and entered into
the investigation, adjourning from day to
day. There were many witnesses sum-
moned before the committee, but only a
few of them came, the committee having
no power to compel their attendance. The
following witnesses gave testimony:
"Mr. Ellick: Mr.. Miller came to my
house in 1867 and told me if would give
him fifteen dollars that would be all l
would have to pay; if did not, would
be charged more. He met me in the mar
ket afterwards and demanded the money.
I refused to pay him unless he would give
me receipt; which he refused to do.
"Mrs. Ellick's testimony, sworn to before
A. Bodeker: Mr.. D. NJ. Miller called at
nv house and stated that he wanted mo-
| new from Mr.. Ellick for tax, and if he Gel
liciz) did not pay the same he would shut
his store up. This was about seven months
ago. !, r ,r.u-
"Thomas Neagle: paid Mr. Miller
TWENTY-FIVE dollars in 1866.
"O.H.P.C C. Jones's testimony: Mr.. Mil
ler, in 1866, came to my house and in
formed me that if would pay him S25
that would have to pay no other tax, but
| if I did not I would be charged $50. !
paid him S25. A few days afterwards Mr.
Miller came and requested me to take the
money back, which l refused to do.
&C. L. Joness testimony Mr. Miller
came to nv fathers house and informed
him that if he would pay him s25 be
would have to pay no more tax; if not, he
wonld be charged $50. A few days there
after INV father called him in and re-
ouested him to give him receipt, which
he refused to do, but tstated that he woulc
pay back the money, which ne refused te
take. ,,.r
to NV house and assessed me with
license. and paid him Sl5, and took NJ
recent. Mr.. Miller stated it was not ne
cessary to give receipt. Twas the iai
of.l866. - =.
aAndrew Schultz Mr.. Miller came to M
| in May or June, 1867, and stated TO m