Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-03-30
journed until last night.
SESSION LAST NIGHT.

Cling on the part OF members, the CoancH
got to work about 81 O'Clock, all being
present. City Attorney Elder and MI.
Meade T. White were also i'll place. About
twenty spectators, including bank officers,
merchants, lawyers and working men
were present The Special Committee
through Mr.. Weller applied to the Coun-
Gil to take the matter off it's hands and 1t
was taken off and the committee dlscharg-
ed and a fresh hold taken i'll a resolution
to ''examine any and all charges against
A. W. Smith,
Donald Allen, City Engineer was the
first witness sworn. He reiterated the
statement in his report of the condition OF
affairs aa the pump house. On Smiths
very first attempt to run the engine he
was so embarrassed that witness advised
MIN to get more instructions. Has no.
ticed thai the engine isn't doing it's full
duty-not being worked to its capacity,
though same amount of coal is used. 1t
lac>s 800 900 gallons of doing its duty at
each pumping. At a recent visit found
water standing in terra Gotta pipes, which
would leave sediment. The boiler had
been burnt but couldn't say whether it
by Smith but an expert sent there said he
thought it had been done before Smith got
it. Called attention of Smith personally
to tue report he had made to the Council
before the Council received it. Was GER
tain that Smith knew of the report because
Smith asked him to 60 again to the pump
house as he had it cleaned up now. Wit
ness thought ii the engine was his own
property ne would change superintendent
Witness don't pretend to be an expert about
water engines. "a good deal of aritlme-
tic and lead pencils were here called into
requisition about water calcula tion.] Wit
N IS thought we could not claim the guar
antee OF the contractors if the terra Gotta
pipes were treated as the Superint endent
created them.
Mr.. White here asked.a question.
Objections were made to his asking ques-
tions, on the ground that no permission
had been given for counsel to appear.
Mr. Larew moved that counsel be heard,
seconded by Mr.. Todd, who thought
charges had been publicly made of incom-
potency and unWorthiness against Smith,
and he had right to counsel.
Messrs. Evans and Ably also favored
hearing counsel, and that Maj. Elder be
requested to appear for the city.
Counsel was allowed.
Witness resumed-Had found gutta
oercha valve lying earelessly about, after
the report now being Investigated by the
Council. Since this report was made the
pump house IS all neat and clean. There
has been nobody engaged at the engine ex-
cept Charles, the colored man, who fires.
The counter On the engine is out of order
Here discussion Of coal clinkers, &c.,
which the genera. reader would hardly un-
derstand was had.
Cross-examined by WHITEHEAD never
run Worthington engine. The register
out of order; is locked up so Smith cannot
get at it without a key. MI. Evans had
the key. now have it. Mr. Evans took
the key to the register originally. Smith,
the New York expert, knew the register
was out of order when he was here.
After some further examination Mr..
Witt asked permission to retire.
The President said he could not give
permission for any one to retire while evil
dence was being taken.
Maj. Elder-The Council has gone into
this matter, and every man ought to stand
up to it till it is over.
Witness resnmed-Said he would change
the engineer if the engine was his proper
ty. The register is a very important part
of the machine, but does not interfere with
h working of the pump. The proper
place for the key to the register is in the
hands of the committee charged with the
water department. It is their only means
to ascertain the work done, and the Su-
periAtendonts hands is not the proper
place. Witness at request of committee
is making out a map to show the amount
of Water in reservoir. My investigation
Of the condition of the pump house was
made at the direction of the Water
Committee. L have had no difficulty with
Smith. When in conve sation with Coun-
Gilman Todd, Superintendent Smith being
present, 1 told him that if he was Oh
railroad and his engine was in that condi-
ton he would be discharged.
On motion Of Mr.. Witt the Council ad-
Journed until tonight.
LADIES' AID SOCIETY FOR THE Y. M.