The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-03-22
More About the Water Works Combat.

| the conduct Of Superintendent Smith Ill MS
alleged assault on Chairman Evans me. at
the Council chamber on Wednesday night
last.
Mr.. Evans testified that he had been sum-
moned to the Water Works on the morning
of the 18th by note from Mr.. Smith. Upon
arriving, after the usual salutation, he look
ef into the valve and saw some trash. He
asked Mr.. Smith what would be the effect
upon the engine if it was not removed. S.
told him, and he then asked another question
relative to the same thing, when Smith an
swered, 81 have no right to give you infoi-
nation on that subject as the ordinance
doesn't require me to.'' Smith then brought
an order for Il scraper to Evans to sign,
which he declined to do, saying that as S.
did not recognize his authority he could
take it to some other member of the Com
mittec. Smith then became angry and
struck Evans, when e. grabbed a lfatchet
and a third party interfered.
Mr.. Smith testified that it was Evans
habit to come to the Engine house and in
terfere with his work. On the morning OF
the difficulty witness had refused to give
Evans some Information he desired, when
the latter shook his finger at him and raid:
''Now I've got you just where l want you;
will you put that in writlng9 I'll have q
man here in your place." Witness said,
| ''You have been bul-dozing me around hare
long enough, and won't stand it any longr
err Evans replied to this, and witness
struck him. s s. II
! Mr.. Ed. Staples, WHO was present yswhen
the difficulty occurred, confirmed, IL the
| main, the testimony of the two principal
| witnesses, except that he did not see Evans
| shake his finger at Smith but heard him say,
''rll soon get shut OF you now Witness
tried to separate them after Smith had struck
| the first lick.
The testimony was long and tedious but
the above embodies its principal points. The
Committee made it's report to the Council
! on Tuesday night.
The report was received at the regular
| meeting. 1t declared the assault unpro-
voked and uncalled for, and as deservi ng OF
the severest censure from the Council.
Mr.. Larew moved that the report be re-
ceived and fled Mr.. Fultz moved, as an
amendment, that Mr.. Smith be suspended
from office for 80 days. A call for the ayes
and nays resulted as follows: ayes -Messrs.
Fultz, Abby, Witt and Bledsoe, 4; nays
Messrs. Powell, Todd, Byers, Larew and
Weller, 5-Mr. Evans not voting. The re-
port was then received and filed. gig
The report Of Donald Allen, engineer,
upon the condition of the Engine and pump
house, received at the last regular meeting
OF the Council, together with the reply OF A.
W. Smith thereto were re-read and referred
to special committee consisting of Messrs.
Burke, Biedsoe, Byers. Witt and Weller
Mr.. Abby meved that the supervision Of
tie pumping house, &C., be turned over to
the regular water committee. In support of
his motion he stated that as member of the
special committee he was not willing to
| assume the responsibility of the pump, &C.,
whilst 1t remains in its present bands. The
Superintendent was not reliable and when
he told you anything you didn't know
whether to believe it or not. In his opinion
the Superintendent was also not competent.
Mr.. Larew asked thas action be deferred
until after the report Of the Committee APP
pointed to investigate the charges against
Mr.. Smith.
Mr. Witt offered q substitute that the spe-
cial Committee continue in control until the |
Committee have made their report.
Mr.. Evans didn't want the substitute |
| adopted and said that the special Committee |
desired to get rid of the whole concern
Mr.. Witz-Tllc Committed has had charge /
of it and should continue until the works are
formally turned over to the city.
Mr.. Abby didn't believe he could attend to
the work and therefore wished to be relieved.
Mr.. Wits substitute was then defeated
by the following vote ayes .Powell, Witt,
Bledsoc and Miller, A; nays-Fultz, Todd,
Byers, Larew, Abby and Evans. g. = -
Mr.. Evans moved that the control of the
entire works be placed under the charge OF
the regular Water Committee and that the
special committee be discharged.
Mr.. Todd moved as substitute that the
special Water Committee be relieved so far
as concerned the Supervision of the pumping
Engine and water supply to city, and that
they be requested to continue present duties
regarding work, &c.
Mr.. Evans objected to the substitute and
said that great many things would come
up which the special Committee would be
unwilling to decide, if they were permitted
to only have partial control of the works.
There would be differences between the con-
tractors and the city, besides other things
which had already been suggested by the
City attorney and the Engineer.
A call for the ayes and nays or Mr.. Todd's
substitute resulted in its adoption by the
following vote: ayes-Fultz, Powell, Todd,
Byers, Larew, Abby and Weller, Z; nays-I
Evans, Witt and Bledsoe, 8.
The Committee of Investigation will re-
port at the next regular meeting OF the
Council. ftt@ s"~s a
-.s. -A.z- resi-
CITY CoUNcIL.-All of the members ex-
cept Messrs. Bagby and Burke, were present
at the regular meeting of the Council, held
on Tuesday night.
The Committee on Finance returned tie
delinquent tax list Of Levi Shafer, amount
ing to So, 140, with the recommendation that
he be credited with the unpaid amounts, ex-
cept that due for license tax. Adopted.
Committee on Safety recommended that
the petition CT Mrs. Bolen, asking permission |
to erect small frame house within the. fire |
limits, be granted. Adopted.
Committee on Schools presented propo- +,
sition from Messrs Jordan & Shomo, offering
to sell the old colored church Oh New Street
to the city for $4,000, payable i'll money or
eight per cent. bonds. The committce's re.
port was that it was inexpedient at present, |
for the city to make the purchase. Referred
back. -s
An account OF 5000. due for rent on the
old Methodist Institute, was allowed. AN
other account of 81, 100 for the same purpose
was referred back.
An ordinance for the. Instruction. Of the
Commissioner OF the Revenue, was reported,
q. u