The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-01-28
TMEaAs orr1cr srSsATIoN.

EAestemeht on the street over the Mys.
fery-Ihe Gas Trustees Meet and Take
steps 10 Investigate the Alleged Crook.
etlness@Talls with the Secretary and
Trustees on the Subject. lE
The sensation developed at the city gas
Office on Sunday night was the exciting
topic Of conversation in all parts Of the city
yesterday. In the more central localities
knots ofcitizens could bo seen on the
street corners and in the vicinity Of pub.
lie buildings, discussing tho mysterious
transaction Ofthe night before in all lis
bearings. While there were those who
believed in the business Of the law which
prcsumes a man innocent until he is
proven guilty, and thoughtit best to make
haste slowly in attempting to fasten the
guilt upon any who have hitherto con.
Quoted themselves as honorable and
honest citizens, many others were very
free to express themselves as opposed to
any tardlness in the matter, and Us hold.
ing to the opinion that the circumstantial
evidence alone that has been developed is
sufficient to warrant the arrest Of the par.
ties who may be suspected Of completely
in the attempt to destroy the books.
MEETING OF THE GAS TRUSTEES.
Yesterday morning Mayor Sweeney
summoned Messrs. ]. &. Smith, Mortimer
Pollock and James Maxwell, the Gas
Trustees, to meet him ut tho city building
for consultation as to the proper steps to
be taken in the matter. All three OF tho
gentlemen were present, and after some
consultation they agreed that the Mayor
should deposit the damaged books in n
secure safe until such time as they may be
needed by the committee which may be
appointed by Council to investigate the
affair. In the mean time the Secretary Of
the Gas Works Is to be supplied with
books in which 10 temporarily keep his
records and accounts. His Honor aC-
Cordingly had the books taken to the Elk.
change Bank and deposited in the safe,
SECRETARY MAXwELi's STATEMENT.
AS Mr.. John Maxwell, the Secretary Of
the Gas Works, thinks the reports Of the
morning papers concerning the fire have
placed him in an eQuivocal position, we
take pleasure in giving his statement to
our readers this morning. Mr.. Maxwell
says h0 was at the gas office Sunday
morning, and went home Just as the
churches were out. AS he was going out
Of the front door OF the office, no spoke to
Mr.. Mortimer Pollock and daughter, who
were passing, And here, he said, might
be explained the mystery concerning
the mode Of entrance. It takes two
turns OF the key to lock the door.
and | might have forgotten, while talking
TO Mr.. p, to have attended to this, and left
the door unlocked. From the office
wentinto Bocking'sdrugstore, and Booking
showed me the letter in the Sunday Lauder
in regard to the gus business, and We talk
ed little while on that subject. When 1
went home in the afternoon I went to
Kings residence and staid awhile. After,
supper, in company with my daughter, !
again went down and staid until near 0
o'clock, when went home. heard the
alarm of fire before went to bed. When
King came to my house was in bed. He
told me the result OF the fire, and went
away. l did not, in view Of the circum.
stances surrounding it, think or deem it
necessary to 50 down street, nor did go
down until this morning,
Upon being asked II tho loss OF tho.
books burned would interfere with an In.
ypstigation Of the affairs Of the company,
Mr., Maxwell said that everything was
ready for the fullest investigation that
could be given. The Vouchers &C., were
still at hand and comatible at the proper
time. He .wasasurprised at the selection
made OF the books for destruction, as the
most valuable ones were left INTACT aud
not Touched by the inpendiary. 1t was,
he thought, ifter the newspaper articles
which had been published, a plan to in
jure him by burning the ones they did,
as they contained the last months bust.
ness. It looked to him like conspiracy
to injute him before the people. ?
TaE GAS FGsEEEsh SrBRYRKsR.
Messts. james Maxwell and Mortimer
Pollock, gas trustees, were interviewed on
the absorbing TOPIC Of the ire at The Gas
ottiNe: Doth Of these gentlemen, who
have been connected with the running OF
the Gas Works since coming into the con-
troll of the city, seemed terribly perplexed
at the disagreeable developments which
have given an unwholesome air to all the
surroundings Of the gas Office. While nd
uniting the ugly features presented, and
while declining to specifically designate
any particular party or parties us in their
belief guilty OF the attempted destruction
OF the books, 1t was clear 10 tho inter
viewer that they were as yet unprepared
to admit The probability oi tho ACT haEng
been committed by the persons in charge
Of the Office. ,As,tOl how entrance to tie
Office was effected both Mr.. Pollock and
Mr.. Maxwell adopt the theory given by
John Maxwell, the Secretary, which Is
fully set forth IN the reported CONVERSE
ton with that gentleman:
1fr. POLLOCK Stated that it had heen tho
intention Of the trustees, at an early day,
to Rsk OF Council the appointment OF a
committee to investigate and report tho
management OF the Gas Works, both in
general and particular. They intended to
do this in order 10 vindicate the manage
ment authoritatiyely, instead 81 wasting
any Gmp IN 4 newspaper CONTROVERSY WITH
the man GreaYes, who was rushing into
print with, in their estimation, pnwar,
ranted charges. "''"
-Hs.RMPEOFR dRgtVgS: '.''
In relation 70 Greaves, both gentlemen
seeme1 e entertain opinions ,confymatory