The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-05-12

[ returned home this morning after short
absence, and find, the following in the Dis
patch report OF the proceedings Of The Com
mon Council Thursday evening ":1
"PERSosAL.-Mr. Christian under a sus-
pension Of the rules, offered the following :
Whereas it appears that avouehoF on the
james River Improvement appropriation,
signed by The chairman and engineer OF tue
Committee on the Improvement Of James
River, was disapproved by the aadltor OF
said committee [SIr. ChriAianh and that
another voucher was prepared, signed by
the chairman and engineer only, aud was
presented to the City Auditor, G8d passed
By him, and has been paid.'F g..
The public. will understand from this
statement that after Mr. e.. .: Christian, the
auditor Of the JamcsRiYer Improvement
Committee, had declined to atfa;t an ac-
count, that the chairman (nysedE and the
engineer (hnior II. D. Whitcomal prepared
Il second voucher, which was passed through
'he Auditor s office Of the city Of Richmond.
This statement is entirely incorrect; the
facts are rs follows:
When the unfortunate accident occurred
at Dutch Gap, by which Mr.. Elias &. Hall
lost lis life, at once concluded that 1t was
proper talat the funeral expenses, amount
ing to sixty dollais, :sliouId be puid out OF
the city appropriatioH--sb precedents for
the action being common. "A voucher was
drawn by the Engineey, and with the war.
rant, signed by me-. was sent along VILE
others. by the usuaamessenger TO the audito =
of the committee to, be atsasted. d a lew
evenings after met Mr.. Christian, and lss
then Informed me that: ha, bad declined ID
audit the bill for Halls fsneral expenses
becs;lse he did not reyard,it q proper cha age
against the city, 1:rcpiletethat was SC sfy'
but would lay the matter before the csfa-
mittee for their decision. 1,jor Whit1omD
,p1 then abse!.t, from The city. saw aim
on his return, and askad.H be had ,he2Sa OF
Sle auditors action, and earned .tgas ne
bad, but not .iutil after the papers h.&t been
turned over 10 j: 8. Belrin & Son ants the
money paid. I gave myself no further
concern in. the matter, as it IS per
sectIy well known that .be Auditap OF the
city OF Rchlnonh. Is authorized 10 pay
| only such WARRANTS as bear che sig
nature Vi the chairman, an4sor, ant
engineer of. the, jOiils Committee for thu
Improv sment OF James River. 1t now aV
pears taat when Mr. Christian .eturDed th,
bund!. OF bills. to Msjor WbieeoEb's o1hci
no mxntion w3S made OF his objection. L
Halls funeral expenses. and. she massenSs
overlooked she endorsement on the outsal
bill when be handed the warrant TO ,AT
Ghzebroos, Of J. 4. .Be.xin 4 Son, Hh'
presented It at the Auditar's office, waere
in tie press Of business the very reason
able oversight was maGp Of paying s~ar
rant without full complement OF. sigma
tlires. .,
j, All bills are made n duplicate, one. @
which Is kept on file is the Engineer once
tho other in the City Auditors otsce.. q
sert that I never sasH either the warrans o
vouchers from the day signed, them>' 'b'
liore they were taken 70 Dir. Chflshah. s9s
saw the-wurrans on file In shs,GitS aaa'
: or's office this l.. u. 4
!. Major Whitsemb is and. hss been absef
!. from the city sor several days.
20 - 80. u R. L, BLANEENsHle.
; RichmoysS, May 10. 1899.