The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-09-10
LOCAL MATTERS.

The GAS QUEsTIoN.-Mayor Kelley
sent communication to the City Council
yesterday evening officially informing that
body that he had removed from the office
of gas inspector Mr.. James NJ. Melton, for
permitting the use of gas by delinquent
consumers in number of instances, and
failing to report violations of the ordinances
in this and other respects to the superintcn-
dent. His Honor adds that he has neither
found, nor has reason to suspect, the
slightest evidence of corrupt purpose in
these direlctions, and has taken the present
course with much reluctance as the only
method allowed by the law to secure
literal fulfillment of the commands of the
Council.
AS q still further elucidation of the
light question, we append the substance of
a correspondence which has taken place
between Mayor Kelley and John II.
Knowles, Esq, superintendent of the gas
works. The Mayor in note to Mr..
Knowles, on Saturday, said that he had
been advised by resolution of the COM
mittec on light that he (Mr. Knowles)
declined to respect the order of said COM
mittee, relative to the dismissal of certain
employees, and that the city attorney had
given his opinion that the committees
requirements were properly within the
scope of their authority. Also that the
proper management of this department of
the city government demanded that
either the committee or the superintendent
should recede from their position, that the
former declined to do so, and that he, ac-
cordingly, desired the superintendent to
review his action in the premises and to
acquaint him 0he Mayor with his determ-
nation before twelve o'clock Monday.
Mr.. Knowles replied yesterday to the
Mayors communication, and informed him
that he yielded to the committee in defer
ence to the advice of his friends and the
judgment of the City Attorney, though he
was still clear in his belief that his position
was morally right.
The instructions Of the committee to the
superintendent referred to, was to dismiss
Messrs. George Bell, clerk, William G.
Adams. foreman of the gas works, Otis
Deane, foreman of the Dock street holders,
and number of other employees, and TO
install temporarily Mr.. John J. Fry in the
places of both Messrs. Bell and Adams.
The Council committee on light reported
last night that the work on the new purif-
Sio 10 hCal ~ CoihpiOtCu1 diiu oii eiSi
recommendation the sum of $4,000 was
appropriated and placed to the construction
account Of the gas works. The payment
of sundry bills amounting TO $2,9l4.5S
was also ordered The following resolu-
tions were adopted:
Resolced, That the committee on light be
and are hereby instructed to make a full
report OF their proceedings in the dismissal
and employment Of sundry employees of
the gas works, assigning in full their rea-
sons, if any, for such action, what charges
were preferred, if any, against the employ
ees discharged, and whether the said par
ties had an opportunity of appearing be-
fore the committee and jury, if so what in
yestigation was had and by whom; that
they also report the per diem of the en-
ployees dismissed and of those appointed.
Resolved, That when the Council adjourn
it adjourn to meet on Monday evening
next, at o o'clock, for the purpose of hear
ing and considering the report of the COM
mittee on light called for in the foregoing
resolution.
The resolutions were adopted, Mr.. Hig-
gins, chairman of the committee on light,
expressing perfect readiness to furnish
the information desired.