Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1873-11-21
Local..


CITY CoUNcIL.-The regular meeting of
the City Council took place on Tuesday
night last, present, Messrs. Abby, Bagby,
Burke, Echols, Evans, German, Guy, Ker
and WITT, and Mr.. Evans presiding.
COMPLAINTS AGAINST INCORRECT RE-
PORTS OF THE PROCEEDINGS.
Mr.. Evans, Chairman Of the Finance
Committee said he had been requested by
his committee, and by other members of
the council to complain Of the proceedings
that had been reported in the VINDICAToR.
In that papers report of the proceedings
of the last meeting of the council, (Which
Mr.. E. quoted FROM it said that ''the fact
was brought to light that no register book
has been kept of the city bonds" This
was incorrect, complete register book of
the bonds had been kept, and Mr.. Evans
read copy from the headings of the book,
showing that the dates, deliveries apd the
other minutia of bond issuing had been
acknowledgment. Another cause OF complaint
was that the paper had charged 'sloose
bookkeeping in the matter of the city
accounts. He would defy the VINDICA-
TOR or anybody else to establish such
charge. The accounts were kept by faith
full officers, and a perfect system of checks
and balances established. AS an evidence
of the exactness of the system, at the last
meeting out of 200 accounts only three or
four were laid aside on account OF lnfor-
mality, and that was in a settlement IN
der anew arrangements OF issuing city
scrip. He was not willing, and the other
members of the council were not willing
that the proceedings should be so mlsrep-
resented in the press, as to give citizens
the impression that the business OF the city
was transacted loosely and carelessly, and
if it was persisted in, an order must be
passed prohibiting such reporter any
other access to the council proceedings
than through the council books after the
transaction of business.
Mr.. Burke-I think somebody stated at
the board that night that there was no reg
lister book of bonds.
Mr.. Echols said he agreed with Mr..
Burke that some one said Oh that occasion
that there was no register book OF bonds.
Mr.. Ker said he was not present at that
meeting, but the reading Of the proceed
ings conveyed the impression that business
had been loosely and carelessly managed.
He was aware that the ordinances pro-
yided for sure method Of doing business,
and the very fact that members objected
to some of the accounts that night on ac
count Of informality showed that the state
ment of looseness and carelessness was in
correct. The report was calculated to pre-
iudice the council in the eyes Of the peo-
pie.
Mr.. Burke said be remembered having
heard Gen. Echols call attention to the
fact of how easy it would be for dishon-
est man to defraud the city.
F. Mr.. Echols said his remembrance OF the
matter was that on the night in question.
"a large bundle of accounts amounting to a
large sum had been passed in lump with
out reading, and Mr.. Burke afterwards
called attention to the informal way of do
ing business, and the action was reconsid-
cred, and that in that connection MI. Witt
called attention to the imperfect manner
in which the accounts were made out.
Mr.. Evans-But it was stated at the
time that the accounts were being settled
under the new arrangement OF the city
scrip, and no particular form had been
prescribed. .--f
Mr.. Alby-I also see in the VINDIcA-
TORS report that the question OF proYld-
ing for the poor 'sgot it's usual postpone
ment,'' which was likely to give the I'M
preston that the poor were not provided
for.
Mr.. Burke explained how often the re-
port of the committee for the poor had
been postponed without action.
Mr.. Ker said he had heard a general ex-
preston ofopinion that the reports publish
ed conveyed the idea that the council had
been careless in their conduct OF the city
business The manner of reporting the
proceedings was Objectionable, and LETT the
impression that the council came to-
gether and got through the public bust
ness in a flippant manner which was not
correct.
Mr.. Burke described the condition of
the city's poor last winter, one case being
a woman with five or six children in hut
with no furniture and no comforts.
Mr.. Ker-They were not regular pau
pers.
MI. Burke-They had been getting aid
from the city for some time.
Mr., Echols did not think the subject
brought up by.Mr. Evans was very grave
matter. He thought it probably for the
best that reporters should report so as to
excite the interest of the people in these
matters. From what had been SAID On the
night in question it did appear that some
of the members, particularly ME-. Wltz'
seemed surprised at the looseness With
which the accounts were gotten up. a.
Mr.. Bagby-The report seemed very
good thing for Gen. Echols, because it ap-
peared from it that he was putting things
right, and left the blame on the rest OF lis.
Mr.. Eehols-I am sorry to have been the
instrument by which merit was detracted
from any member.
Mr. Evans-I have no objection to re-
porting facts, and with comments but
do object to the interpreting OF our pro
ceedings.
Mr.. Echols the gentleman any
proposition to make concerning the re
port.
Mr.. Evans-I have none, but hope that
there will be no cause OF complaint again.
STATEMENT OF THE CITY FRANCES.
The following report Of the Financial
Committee made in obedience to resolu-