The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-09-17

Corruption in the Management of the Gas
Works.
At the called meeting of the City Coun-
Gil last. night, the committee on light,
through their chairman, Mr.. John Nj. llig-
gins, made a report of their transactions, as
follows "a AZ ta
FIRST WORK OF TIE COMMITTEE.
The first meeting of the committee was
held July 18th, 1872. AT this meeting, on
motion Of Mr.. Bargamin, a Subcommittee
Of two was appointed to examine the works
and report to the committee. The chair
appointed Messfs. Bargamin and William
English. ItA3.d ~
Alta called meeting of the committee,
held August 18th, the Subcommittee made
the following report:
The Subcommittee to whom was
referred an examination of the Gas Works,
and the operations of the same, report that
they entered upon the duties assigned them
with only vague idea that reformation
was required in some portions of the estab-
lishinent, but at the same time with a
determination to do their duty without fear
or favor. 1t will be remembered that at
the, meeting of the committee which
appointed the sub-committe, the superin-
tendent, then present, made improper and
not very courteous objection to the same,
ard we have to report that. in keeping with
this conduct, when we visited the works for
the purpose Of obtaining information, his
manner and language towards us was very
offensive. This might be ascribed to appre-
tensions that an investigation would reveal
delinquinces on his part; but being well
aware of his excitable nature, we have no
hesitation in attributing it to this cause.
After looking through the works, we made
an examination of the inspectors depart
ment, and we regret to state that here were
revealed
THE MOST ASTOUNDING DELINQUENCEs
-. said.isgy AND FRAUDS.
In consequence Of the manner in which the
books have been kept evidently with a
view to cover up the detections) it is diff
cult to ascertain the extent to which the
city has been defrauded. Enough, how
ever, has been learned to prove beyond
doubt that Mr.. Melton, the Inspector, has
not paid for any gas since January, 1870,
and, as the state of his metre has not been
taken, it is impossible to ascertain how
much he owes. 1t is also certain that VIII
liam F. White, who acts as bill clerk, has
not paid a bill since he was appointed, and
amount If a237 12
In addition to these. which we have es-
tablished it Is evident that minor frauds
have been perpetrated, butFto what extent
we have not ascertained. Be that as it
may, the inspector and clerk are of nocess-
tythes principal and accessory oall these
frauds, and we unhesitatingly recommend
L = IL. II
stansl he taken against their securities to re-
coyer whatever amounts can be discovered
40 dna 10 the citv'
- :. -, c,, ,r r,,, ,yopvs
Shose EAiHA A"aNIh "a : - = " oi'i>e'
AT the works we find that extravaganza
has ruled the day. In Duiiding the ne"
gas-holder carts oon hrea o. u eoa Del, 10
were paia S4,ooo ior si,voo A., uay -, WIZ
while It IS notorious lace tliat Ihe salht
KIND OF carts can De hired lor Sz.oo lllsteao
OF "a per d'em, py Wihch Useless eAPenai
tlre the CITY was mpicteu 10 llle even. .
Slow wltiouI tne ieast siiaaow Vi Jueeiee
we ma also Ilat por.iou u 'ne e.on'i ~,
on wmcn puhupgs naye peeii eleo,en lol
0ther purposes nave oeen li'elleo i l1l
their proper uses anu tuihed mug s'aoio'
ior horses anu sheiter lor Vellcies oWhe'
by Mr. pen. In aaoilion 70 ,lie aooSe wy
are convinced that tilere are many , unneces
sary employees, winch snouio DC oiSpehSe'
Win. q ar a,
from hst OF these iurhlsneu Ny .he 81
permtenoent we learn that az liie oiu "a
works there are employed ior ruiihii'
street man ana service seven persons IT
PAID ~, SZ.zo, ana 9Z.oV pei aay. we re
commend that tnree OF tnelh pe uisctarseu
Weaiso nn % TWO men put aowna as .Lepa al