The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-05-14


propriety and probability of "A sale In New
York OF bonds Of the city OF Richmond
which had been appropriated to be sold for
the hcnctit Of the Richmond City Water.
Works. This is Il mere impression, how
ever
" hare youany other infurmition touch
Ing this subject:
y. nc only other information which 7
nave mas been obtained since this iuyestira-
tioh began. | have learned for the first time
that Il resolution was offered bv the chair.
man OF this committee some time In the fall
q 1872 10 reference to a sale Of the Gas.
works. What that resolution actually was
l 20 not even know now.
" Have you ever had any conversation
Win the chairman of this committee con-
corning this mattert
>. Never until this investigation began.
~. Wen, how do you know that this re-
solution was introduced by bimY
"a. heard it at the last meeting of the
committee, when Mr.. Wynue deposed
&. Have you any reason to suppose that
any members OF the Council or persons out
side OF the Council have undertaken to en-
harrasS or obStrnct the credit OF the city for
the puroosc of the sale Of these works?
A. Not in the least. | never heard any,
thing of such an idea till I heard It an
nounccd in the address of the President OF
the Council. I am not prepared to believe
It now, because hold that Il man who makes
a charge. il made upon his own authority, is
ROUND To SUSTAIN IT by PROOF.
If made upon the authority OF another. he
must give his authority, or be himself re-
sponsiblc for it.
Q. DO YOU know Of any measures which
have been proposed in the Council coming
under the description III the Presidents nd
dress, rs follows :" To avoid increasing the
taxes, several measures which have recently
been adopted to increase the revenue are
urged BY those who oppose an increase as
being sufficient to make up any deficiency
which may result from keeping the assess
mepts ut one dollar and twenty-five per hum
drcd dollars:
. 4. do not. know of no measure which
has ever been before the Council upon which
a vote has been taken upon which I'D hc
willing to decide That any yotcr had been in
fuenced By any other motive than his con-
yic,ion of what the iu ,ereSts of the city re-
quired.
Q. Do you know Of any other correspond
ence bearing on this subject than that you
have shown!
\. am under the impression that some
time after the letter wa, written which |
have read gentleman who Was Intimate
with the writer. iu 4 business letter to llr.
Davenport, made similar inquiries as to what
the intentions OF the city were about selling
the Gas Works. Thi, Is merely an imprrs-
sion upon my mind; and have asked the
gentleman to whom thought the letter was
written to look for il and give it to me. He
saws he has looked for 1t; has been uil-
able to find it. and thinks ] an mistaken in
that he had received more than
one letter on the subject.
q. Do YOU know what prompted these
inquiries!
i. infer that these parties who OWN pro-
pcrty in Richmond, and one Of whom is
NATIVE OF RICHMOND,
were Impressed. us were many Of our OWE
citizens, bv the result of the investigation
into the affairs OF the GaS-WorlsS last fall.
and having seen. perhaps in the papers, that
a question OF Il sale of the Gas Works was Ii
matter Of Inquiry in the Council of the city,
were willing in the event that sale WAS re-
solved upon to become bidders for this pub
lie property, knowing a> they do that the
Gas-W orks Of New York city pay enormous
dividends to the stockholders, aud that the
>icck cannot be bought even ut premiums
of 100 aud 10 per cent upon its par value.
TIE CHAIRMAN ur THE COMMITTEE uN MGuT.
Mr.. Higgins was next questioned by Mr..
Whitock.
q. Will YOU please state anything you
know concerning this matter;
\. | have no knowledge Of facts connected
with this matter ut all.
9. Did YOU ever hear the sale OF the
works discussed outside of the Council:
4. \ gentleman called on me last FILL to
make some inquiries. and declined to give
him the information he desired. told BIN
that is Il citizen and Il member ot the toun-
ell was opposed To the sale. think il was
after the investigation.
9. Did he say what moved him to max"
the inquiries:
4. ucdid not. sir. think he said. though,
that if the city refused HE sale, y company
was contemplated 10 be formed Tor the p,lr-
pose of establishing .as-woIks. Jlc WIS
very frank to me about it, but did "ni civ"
hi,n ans information.
Q. Who wnS "a:
A. SIr. Cunningham. Il sp.l.iu-Eiw oi
Colonel Thomas Branch. have never heard
it talked about by any member, Of the Coun-
ell. however.
o. Can YOU give TO the committee the
name of auv person who can furnish any
on this subject:
4. Mr. Mctzyer think. once mentioned
to me that there was plan on foot to pllr-
clla,c the works. but he called no naillc>.
f,," never heard the nain,> oi any .! III"
Council coming under the heads q. the "ti-
dress of the President, and
NEVER HEARD ANY SUCH CHARGES
made before the address was delivered.
Q. Do you know of any conference that
has been had with persons outside Of Ecl-
mond on this subject:
\. do not.
Mr.. John +. Bo>SieuX was the next wit
ues, examined by the chairman. AMI being
questioned, said in reply lie had no personal
knowledge of the matter under inquiry.
O. Have you never heard the matter di.-
russed by any member of the Council:
4. have not, though | have had casual
with several persons after the
resolution which You introduced. They
were simple, casual conversations, und can
rcclll onlr 4 tllS with the chairman, NJ.
Thomas Wynne, who st1ted that he though
that some meln'erS 81 tee frilncii were III
I,yor of selling Tie :;,tS-W ork>. Ih"rc were
several gentlemen present al the lime, ana l
said that | was l..tIlCt surprised tnat seNcra!
t;e,ired to sell the li'-rhs.
O. Did he not ten you that there wa,
A SECRET R!SG IS THE COUNCIL: