The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-06-04
OF the water department. over to the City

Engineer.
Mr.. Davis, the chairman OF the Water
Committee, denied that the committee bad
kept anything hid from the Council or that
the Superintendent had done anything
wrong.
Mir. Curtis asked why the Committee on
Water had held secret meetings OF late He
had understood that anonymous letters had
been received giving information on this
subject, and lie bad also understood there
was man in the water department receiv-
ing money improperly.
Mr.. Davis assured the Council that neither
they nor the Superintendent had anything
TO conceal; that the committee had held se-
cret meetings and there considered these
charges and these anonymous letters (Which
he spurned). He desired it distinctly un-
derstood that il there was anything against
this officer he would like TO have it-would
like to solicit it. He would thank the Coun-
Gil for it.
Mr.. Talbot wanted it all to come out, and
when it was made public the Council would
see that they were making a mountain out
OF a mole-hill.
Mr.. Whitlock said that this report OF the
Committee on Retrenchment and Reform
was only surface report; that it had been
ascertained that the pay-rolls of the depart
ment had been altered by an employe in the
department with the consent OF the Super
intendent. He thought that the committee
was more to blame than the Superintendent !;
and he believed that this difficulty grew out
Of want OF ability on the part OF the COM
mittee; want OF attention on the part OF
the committee to their business as we'll as
lack of ability on the part OF the Superin-
tendent.
The motion to lay on the table was with
drawn.
Mr.. Curtis called for the evidence, and
moved that the proceedings Of the Commit
tee on Retrenchmcnt and Reform be read.
Agreed to-.
Sergeant-at-Arms August, clerk of the
committee, was called upon and read the
evidence Of several OF the witnesses (NlessrS.
w. j. Mahoney, superintendent pump
house; Isaac w. ITomlinson r. G. Lucas,
foreman Of the pipe-layers; Charles T.
Davis, chairman OF the Committee on Wa
ter; W. j. Riddick, assistant superintend-
ent Of the water department; James l.. Da-
Wis, Superintendent Of the WateT-W orks)
examined by the committee, the substance
OF all Of which was to the effect that on
many occasions the time-book at the wa
ter-works had been altered, the number OF
DAYS increased, and the amounts OF money
also. Mr.. James L. Davis, IN his evidence,
explained these alterations by saying That
the time was increased in order to provide
for the payment OF men whose names were
not on the payroll.
Mr.. WhitIock, after the reading, said that
what the water department wanted was
brains.
Mr.. Talbot said that all this thing re-
minded him OF the play OF "Much Ado
about Nothing" He then went on to say
that it would be damninS the character OF
a man who had been living here for fifty
six years to take his department and put 1t
in the hands of Il man who has only been
here for four years. Colonel Cutshaw was
very good civil engineer; he had nothing
to say against him except that he thought
he was responsible to the city for loss OF
100000 in the work on the reservoir. He
thought he made great many mistakes,
but that they were errors OF the head and
not Of the heart. He disclaimed intending
any reflection on Colonel Cutshaw. He
thought as much of him as his warmest
friend, but he didn't always agree with
him. That was all.
Mr.. Curtis said he went with Colonel Cut
shaw because he was q smarter man than
he was, and because he was an honest, con-
scientious gentleman. In regard to Mr..
Davis, he had only to say that whatever
errors lie committed were unintentionally
done. lie did not desire or intend to dis
cuss further the question OF frauds in the
water department, but il the friends OF Mr..
Davis will not turn the department over to
the Engineers department Mr. Davis will
" go by the board" at the coming election.
In defending Colonel Cutshaw Mr.. Cur
tis further said that he was a man who was
too high and honorable 10 stoop one inch
below Just and right.
Mr.. Curtis was proceeding further to
speak when Mr.. Taloott'sai to him that he
had spoken already five times, and was
not in order.
Mr.. Curtis "Don't care il I have; you
shut up"
Mr. Curtis was proceeding with his re-
marks when he was interrupted by cries OF
ego on; give it to 'em, old fellow"
Mr.. Whitlock: g Yes, give it to 'eln. The
committee is rotten from 4 to Il. They are
the people 10 yentiale, and not James l..
Davis.2
Mr.. Curtis proceeded further to "go for''
the Committee on Water in what seemed to
be unparliamentary language, for he was
called to order several times. lie referred
to $4,000 which he said the committee had
wasted in speculation and never reported
the matter to the Council.
After protracted discussion the report
preceding the proposed ordinance was
adopted.
MIR. Whitlock then moved to suspend the
rules in order to consider the ordinance this
evening; which was defeated by the follow
ing vote: r.., --.s-
AYEs.-Messrs. Baker, Braselman, Christian, Cur.
It's Davis. Elicit. Foster. Hayall, StarkQ. Stokes
Whitlock, and Slanson-l2.
NoEs.-Messrs. Adams. Campbell, Guy, Har.
yer, skinkcr, Straus, Talbot, Timberake, and
Wood-15. y - '..'s ..'.
Mr.. Talbot moved to lay the ordinance
on the table. Agreed to (on divlsion)-ayes,
Il; noes, y. -,
THIRD POLICE STATION.
A communication from the Mayor was
presented by the Committee on Police rs to
the condition OF the Third police station ;
which was referred to the Committee on
Grounds and Buildings.
The veto OF the Mayor upon the resolrl-
ton making an appropriation to the Spring.
Street Home was read and the veto sus.
tanned.
PERSONAL.
Mr.. Whitlock rose 10 a personal cXplana'
tion. and said he did not intend to reflect
upon the members OF the Committee Oh
Water individually in his remarks in refer
ence to the irregularities in the water de-
partpent
TIE POLICE FUND.
A message from the Mayor vetoing The
ordinance placing the police contingent
fund under the control OF the Committee
on Police was read, and the veto sustained