The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-05-10

the city's property and Interests.
| z. Please to state The date of this rr>oln-
tion.
| A. don't remember the date, but I re-
member the circumstances which cave rise
TO 1t.
Q. Did You have any reason to suppose
that the offering of resolution of inquiry in.
| volred anv corrupt purpose:
a. AS am not here to answer questions,
nor do | intend to express my opinion in
| regard to the morality of any one, I decline
expressing any opinion in regard to that mat
| ter.
Mr.. WhitIock (ntcrrlpting): don't ask
| forany expression ofopiuion; we want facts.
Mr.. Wynnc: The simple fact that rcso-
iu'l"n MAS offered inIuiriug into the :ypc-
dirncy oi certain movement or action hy
tie Conner! induces me to infer. and did so
| infer, That the action indicated by the i'll
qnry embodied in the resolution was not
| regarded by It's patron with tho same objec-
| tion that felt against It.
Mr.. Whitlock: l do not ask for opinions,
| but ask whether you have any facts which
| lead you TO suppose that the resolution was
| offered for any other purpose than to obtain
the information which its language would
seem to indicate!
mention in connection with this resolution
is one which was stated to me by a member
of the Council rs occurring while the gas
works investigation was going on. this men,
| hcr informing me that during the invc>lica-
| ton Mr.. Whitlock had stated that under the
circumstances, considering the abuses con-
ncctcd with the management of the gas
works and the apparent difficulties of con-
| Guctin@ them satisfactorily. he did not know
but that it would be better to sell them to
| some one who could manage them satsfac-
toriiy to the interests OF the city.
Mr.. Wltlock: Did the member who
| gave YOU the information mention any body :
4. No. sir.
Mr.. Whitock: You have stated i'm tho
| beginning that the conversation held with
| these Two gentlemen. not being members OF
| the Council was regarded rs confidential
VIII you now give to the committee the
names of the members Of the Council which
you had learned were to be connected with
this proposed purchase?
A. For the reasons stated in my reply to
| The previous question | decline to answer
this question.
Mr.. Whitluck Are YOU not aware that
| the part Ul your address referred TO involves
the reputation of some, il not all, OF youl
associates in the Council:
4. do not think that it does TO such IN
extent is to require one TO Violate any con.
| fidencc which | understand Is implied by
| those who spoke To me on the subject. ln-
less | am mistaken, if proper efforts art
made by this committee 10 obtain evidence
they will be able TO ascertain definitely what
members of The Council have been. if they
| are not now, in favor Of selling these works
| What | have stated above in my answers i.
sustained by conversations which | iIy-, haC
| with members of the Council. and which. il
nv opinion, Justify me, without @iyin" hear
say evidence. that the statements l',!c II
nv address to tle Council can DC fully SUI
tanned.
AIr. Whitock: Please stale with wha
members of the Council you had >uch con
| yer>alon>:
Mr.. Wynnc: decline.
Mr. Whiilock Will YOU furnish The con-
mitrcc with the names Of the pcr>un> wl'
can sustain The statements made iii yVllr ad
| dress:
Mr.. Wynnc: ! will not without obtaining
the con rnt of those gentlemen.
Mr.. Whitluck: Will YOU state how many
members ol the Council Wcr.' a--c"ttrd to
erthcr Tor this purpose, OF had @cnc into thl,
association
| Mr.. WSunr: dn not think have hcarC
| of more than iouT, a> my inlulniiIon on The
| subject hts been obtained al different times
since the conclusion Of the "aS investigation
| down 10 the last regular meeting cf tit
| Council. and rs | have kept no mcnolandd
| Of the names Of the parties or the ln!orma
| ton which received 1T various times, II l.
not possible for me 10 l1c very definite Ill my
replies to such questions.
Mr.. Whillock: Iol have stated in your
ad,ircs, i!a! several uf those who favor this
sale OF the cas-wolk> oppose all increase "i
taxes with bad purpose. Please state how
| mauv members of the iu!r come under Ills
head?
| 4. have said nothing at all about any
purpusc, bcn. good or bad, nor does TIC
!!ass;sga in my address with which This que
| tiun i. connected rrtr" particularly 10 i..ch!-
bers of the Council nor dad | mean It t.
apply 10 those above aliuGe 10 ~ being "i
the tour whose nl,ncs had becn mentioned
| to me in connection with the subject.
! Mir. Wh:lnck: understand your address
10 charge that Il number OF persons. lEcllld-
| ing several members OF the Council. had cor
| ruptlH formed themselves together 10 get
! possession OF the gas-work>, if possible,
| below its true value. Please say whether
| | interpret its meaning correctly or mol:
\. My address does moi bear IT," coAStl'llc
ton which you put upon il 10 This extent II
| does not charge any one with lmIIrS cor
runtly formed themselves together to get
possession of The ga>-work>,' nor is there
the slightest intimation that they desire To
! yet possession of the same below rs true
value therefore you do not interpret my lam
| guaye correctly.
4 .,i 7 st.,,,l van
do not intend to imputc corrupt motives 10
any one:
| 4. AS do not set myself up rs Judge
| of the motives or us Il censor OF the morals
| of pcoplc. had 40 such idea. endcavored
TO present to the Council in my address the
| conclusions in regard to the sale of the gas
works which knowledge of certain facts
and l!.authenticated reports had con-
yiured NE were correct. And whether the
gentlemen, citizens or councilmen, whom
believe desired to purchase the gas-works
designed to ini;:r2 Tie city in !hc!r efforts tu
make Il good investment, is more t!&n | feel
Justified in saying.
Mr.. Whitlock: Then. why should secrecy
he observed i'm Withholding their NAMES II
their motives were proper: \. do no'
ssy their motives were proper or improper
II is not customary to tell everything tllai
YOU know in regard to any business DE-
cause there is no immoralitv connected Witi
it.
Mr.. Whitlock: Will you Lot now say
whether they (Lhcir moiiSc>J were proper ol
imnropcr? \. For the reasons above stl'cd
| decline expressing any opinion.
Mr.. Whitlock helt stated that tue matlei
w;.S dlsiastaful 70 him. and he dldnt kno"
ths! he would hafo anything moro 20 &c
with It.
Mr.. Wynne We'll, sir, You have so'tcl