The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-11-27
as have proved themselves incompetent or
unworthy of the trusts confided to them.

as have proved themselves incompetent OF
unworthy of the trusts contided to them.
On Saturday night last, whilst driving
along Fourth street between Franklin and
Main, about P. NJ, one OF my horses fell
into hole left in the middle Of the street
by the employees OF the city water-works,
who had been engaged up to dark that eve
ming in repairing leak in the Waterman:
AS the result OF the fall both myself and
servant were thrown out OF the buggy, and
narrowly escaped with our lives, which no
doubt were preserved by the fact that both
horses in their frantic efforts to recover
| themselves became detached from the buggy
and we were not dragged. AS it was we
only received severe contuzions, had our
clothing damaged, harness destroyed be-
yond repairing, and my horses cut up and
skinned about the limbs and body.
This (Monday) morning called at the
Office Of the Superintendent OF the Water
Works (Mr. J. L. Davis, but found him ost.
The recital Of my accident seemed to occa-
sion no surprise on the part OF gentleman
who informed me that he had SuperinteDdc
the job on Fourth street, and that it was q
common thing to leave such holes for four
or five days before filing them up with dry
earth, which was not conveniently at hand
SATURDAY. night, and therefore had not been
used. About 81 O'Clock called at the Office
of the Superintendent and he was still out,
when left ord with bis clerk to tell him
OF my visit and the object OF it. have not
seen the Superintendent at all. but about 4s
P. NJ. / was waited on by Mr., Eugene +.
Davis, the same gentleman WHOM the morn
ing had treated as such small matter the
narrow escape of my life, who informed NE
that he wanted to know il I would not keep
his name out OF the paper, and compromise
the matter by his paying me the amount OF
damages had received.
This offer on the part OF Mr.. Eugene f..
Davis was respectfully declined as indica-
ting too much acquaintance with the
wishes Of the chief Of the department, whose
notoriously incompetent management OF
bis Office has been the subject OF repeated
comment on the part OF nearly all the jour-
nails in the city.
Whether Mr.. Eugene Davis is related to
the Superintendent or not I do not know.
but for his mode of doing business he ought
to be, and that very nearly. At any rate
feel it duty owe to the public, and es-
pecially to my brothcr-doctors, who are
compelled to travel the streets ut all hours
OF the night and day, to publish this account
OF official negligence, hoping thereby to put
stop to it, and thus perhaps save the life
OF some one more valuable in the community
than my humble self.
The man-trap on Fourth street remained
withouta a guard or signal until to-day at
noon, when it was filled up by dirt taken
from pile which one Of the neighbors had
collected for the purpose OF grading his lot.
Hoping this communication will have the
purpose of calling attention to the short
comngs Of those who are paid to attend to
the affairs of the city and less occasion for
future complaint, must, with many apollo
gies at its length, subscribe myself,
Very respectfully,
FRANCIS D. CUNNISGHAM,
III Franklin street.
| P. S. The attention Of the Committee on
Water is respectfully requested to the state
ments in the above communication and m
investigation asked as to the correctness.