The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-10-15

DER q mlSapprenenSl0n as 10 the meaning III
tended to be conveyed in this paper. While
it appears that Mr.. Pryde has been indus
trious in the discharge of his duty since his
recent appointment, it is also shown in evil
dence that he was derelict prior to that time,
and he and Knowles spending much time in
going about, while In undue portion of the
work was assigned to others who received
only $75 per month as pay as against $50
by Mr.. Pryde as assistant inspector. We
have nothing to add to what has been said
by the Mayor in regard to Messrs. Melton
and White, who have been discharged by
the committee for reasons which appear
satisfactory, nor in relation to the cases of
Denegri, Shaffer and Knowles, except that
they nor Mr.. Pryds should not be made
exceptions to q rule which has been en-.
forced with so much promptness against
Melton and White. Notwithstanding that
this investigation was quite as full and
searching as could have been expected,
(being limited chiefly to examina-
ton of ~persons,) it is unreasona-
able to suppose that any very cor
rect idea of the direct and indirect
losses 10 the city resulting from the very
lax and culpable management has been
made to appear-some of The books having
about the time of the commencement been
stolen, evidently with a purpose, Others
falsifled and even forgeries committed du-
ring the progress of the investigation, with
the apparent object of diverting attention
from the guilty. These were evidently
done by some one or more persons at that
time engaged in the Office, and we refer the
Council to the evidence to draw their own
conclusions as to how far any person or
persons now in the inspectors Office may
be implicated in these base acts.
Whatever conclusion your body may ar
rive at in regard to these things, we sub
NIT that enough has been shown to point
out those who have proved themselves UNI
worthy of your confidence, and it remains
with you to apply the corrective. We me-
elected to add at the proper place that the
using a large quantity of gas by Denegri,
and by others, without compensation to the
city, was in exact conformity with the
teachings of Mr.. Pryde, which is testified,
to by Mr.. Batkins (whose record is clear
wherein he says Pryde told him there was
an ordinance allowing the employees to
to use what gas they wanted without pay
ing for it.
In the cases of Bell and Adams, at the
lower works, your committee have to re-
mark that while in their opinion the price
paid for carts was excessive, if the evidence
of Mr.. Bell is to be credited, that they
paid 81. 30 the most of the time and S1.2S
per diem the remainder of the time for
drivers (men), who were required to assist
in loading the carts, it does not appear that
they received more than 80 cents per day
over the usual price per cart ; and this
| 49, oo,1J no% Lnro ronn,rol &c - bAJ oat
been allowed them by the superintendent.
In this as in the case of the stables on the
gas lot, which was open to public view and
known to the several committees, who have
visited the works during the time they re-
manned in Office, we are of opinion that this
and the like use of the public property is
wrong, but we think there is no evidence
to show a corrupt purpose, and we will
further say without intending to pass judg-
ment on the motives of any other person,
that no such motive appears in the case OF
Mr.. Melton.
We recommend that proper steps be
taken to remove John Q. Pryde, the pres
ent inspector of gas, and j. B. Denegri, G.
Shaffer, and r. L. Knowles. All Of
which is respectfully submitted.
P. H. STARKE, chairman.
Both reports were received and laid upon
the table, and one hundred copies ordered
to be printed and furnished to members oil
the Council at once.
SALE OR LEASE OF GAS WORKS.
Mr.. Whitlock presented the following:
ReSolred, That the Committee ION Finance
inquire and report to the City Council as
early as possible the propriety of a sale Of
the city gas works, and that they also
make any other recommendation in ref.
erence to the same that they may deem
pertinent or proper.
Mr.. Newberry offered the following as q
substitute:
Resolved, That a select committee of five
members of the Council be appointed by
the Council, who shall receive proposals
for the purchase of the gas works and al
property appertaining thereto, or to lease
the same for a period Of ten or more years,
and that the said committee shall in no way
commit the Council to any course Of pro.
cedure, but shall obtain the best offers
poco;hio opd cuhmit tham IN tho Noupci