The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-05-10

The special committee of the city coun-
Gil, Mr.. Whitlock chairman, to whom was
referred President Wynne's address. charg-
ing certain parties with the purpose Of pur-
chasing the city gas-works to the disadvan-
tage of the city, met last night to investi-
gate the matters committed to their charge.
When the committee had been called to
order the chairman remarked that it was
very probable if the investigation was con-
tinued longer than the first meeting he
would ask the council on Monday evening
to excuse him from serving, as it was
against his desire to have any connection
with the matter. ass
Mr.. Whitlock then remarked: Well,
gentlemen, if it is agreeable to you, we
will ask Mr.. Wynne to respond first.
Mr.. Wynne--It will be well for you to
show the authority under which you meet
first. eg1- Gaa $3.50 es-S
Mr.. Whtlock read the resolution under
which the committee met.
MIR. Wynne remarked that before going
into any examination he desired to say to
the committee that he had never been APP
piled to by any member of the committee
for copy of his address. 5.......
A rambling conversation then ensued as
to the correctness of the address as pub
llshed in the city papers after which the
chairman asked Mr.. Whine please to fur
nisii 10 the committee the names of the
parties referred to in that portion of his
address relative to the sale of the gas
works. y sas@s s. z.s5 .e.s a
Mr.. Wynne-I decline for the following
reasons: The two gentlemen who spoke to
me about it were men who had at their
command large sums of money. They
were not and never have been members of
the council. They informed me that such
a purpose was intended, and desired to
know what / thought about it, stating that
they had been asked to Join the purchase if
it could be effected. They mentioned the
names of members of the council who fa-y
with their names the names Of gentlemen
engaged in business in the city of Richmond
we'll known to the whole community. As
they seemed to regard it as sort of fore
gone conclusion, they spoke to me as any
man would speak to another in regard to o
business matter, and without any reference
to the interests of the city of Richmond
further than SO far as they and their asso-
ciates were concerned, and expressed a
willingness on their part to purchase the
property as desirable speculation. |
gave them the facts and figures in connec-
ton with the operation of the works, which
demonstrated that it would be o probable
investment for private company, but as
sured both of them that would never vote
for the sale. These gentlemen. having no
connection with the city government, APP
preached me as any other Individual would
have done who desired to invest money in
any enterprise with which was acquainted,
and, as in the case Of all business trans
actions, regarded their conversation as
private, if not strictly confidential, and
therefore without their consent l do not
feel at liberty to repeat their names. |
will only add that they came to see me,
not together, but separately, with the
period of week or more elapsing between
their visits, and not knowing whether
either was aware Of the inquiries Of the
other. Neither learned from me my in
teryiew with the other. As there is no
criminality connected with their PROPOSE
tons, or anything that they said, | do not
feel at liberty to make their names public.
Mr.. Whitlock then continued the inves-
tigation, but Mr.. Wynne persistently re-
fused to give the names of the gentlemen
outside the council who had approached
him upon the subject, or those of the coun.
cilmen who were supposed to be concerned
in the effort to purchase the gas-works as q
speculation. Mr.. Wynne desired the com.
mittee to summon Mayor Kelley as wit.
ness at the next meeting. The committee
| then adjourned to meet in the council
chamber Tuesday evening next at five
o'clock. = n 81
Probably Fatal Duel Last Evening.