The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-03-12
InE RLACK RoOKS
Reply of Mr.. ErsEipe 10 Mr.. GAllIEAu's
Card.

Reply Of Mr.. EFshine 10 mr.. GAlilgAns
Card.
Editou IAtslllgsncOs,
Permit me to say in response to Mr.
GallieAn's card Of yesterday, that be makes
q reckless assumption when he charges, in
effect, that l have been trying to make q
sensation. 1t is to no extent my fault II
the article to which he refers was sensa-
tionAl. did not write it, inspire the tone
or know what it was to be. Neither did l
claim to your reporter that had done any
great thing. Mr., Galligan has himself to
blame, in large part, at least, for the sensa.
tion. People who say improper things
hastily and angrily should not cast the
blame Of the "sensation" upon other PEG.
pie who keep cool, As to whether Mr.,
Galligan said "These books were placed
in my charge" or 1.-THE things in that
room were placed in my charge" in speak
ing OF what Mr.. Black had placed in his
charge, ] think 1t an immaterial matter,
and, like Mr.. Dunaway, / will give him
the benefit OF the doubt. He may have
said things" The books, however, were
the subject OF the conversation. How
much or how little these books were in
fact under his special charge l do not
know. he says in one sentence OF his
card, u have considered the books in my
charge as stated, but considered them the
property Of the CITY," His last sentence Is,
u did not not conceal or in any manner
attempt to conceal the books from any
one, nor did | have them in my charge or
possession"
Now the simple fact about this matter is
that Mr.. Hubbard, Mr.. Allison and my
self, attorneys Tor the city in these cases,
have for q long time been anxious to get
control Of the books which were once in
the possession OF the investigating com.
mittee. After the investigating committee
made It's report, and before we were en-
ployed TO prosecute the suits, Mr., Black
resumed possession OF the books upon
which, In part at least, the finding OF the
committee was made. He was allowed TO
have them, ! suppose, as q convenience In
settling his business, His possession soon
became, however, close aud exclusive, So
exclusive was 1t that last summer, when
wanted to find what Mr.. Hswley's assess
ments were, for use in the City's suit
against Hawley, was refused by Mr..
Blacks deputy, Mr., Blanchard, an oppor-
tunity TO look In that room for the facts |
wanted. told him l wanted to zee the
personal property books for the First Dis.
triCt for 1875 and 1877, He promised to
ascertain and report whether tue
books were there or not He alter
wards reported that they were not there,
He said Black had them somewhere but
he didn't know where, He promised 10
get from Black the Information desired,
saw him many times through period oil
at least two months, and always received
the answer that he could find where the
books were, So the City's suit against
Hawley was delayed. These matters the
Board OF Claims oil the last Council will
probably remember. finally applied to
Mr.. Black in person. He said he did not
know whether the books were there ornot,
| told him precisely what / wanted, and
the Importance OF my having 1t, He then
politely escorted me into the room and
readily found for me the precise intorma'
ton desired. | got that and nothing
more.
This experience OF last summer, coupled
with Blacks demonstrated readiness TO re
move the books, made the attorneys fol
the city unanimously and decidedly OF the
opinion that 1t would not be advisable OF
safe TO ask for the books where 1t might
be that Mr.. Black would be consulted be.
fore we should have definite answer Us
to whether we could have them or not.
| ] did not 90 that office, how over, for the
purpose oil getting the books. WANTED to
see the exact title oil an unpublished ordi'
mango, The ordinance book, learned,
was In Mr.. Galllgan's possession. went
to this room and found It unlocked, /
then stepped 10 Mr.. Taney's room, djoin.
ing, and was told that Galligan was out,
but Mr.. fancy told me cordially to 60
right In and see what wanted. II l dis.
arranged any OF MIR. GalligRn's private
papers, 1t must have been simply In open.
Ing and shutting the ordinance book.
have not learned that he makes any claim
OF that kind except In the newspaper. His
linsinuation that went through his pri.
yate papers Is false and unfounded.
Being through with tho ordinance book,
II lett the room for awhile, and
went down street, but being satis-
fed upon consideration that 1t
was my duty to take the books when l
could get them, went back, and inform.
ing Nj. fancy Of my intention, took
them to the 0ity Clerks office. Nj. Ianey
made not tue slightest objection 10 my
taking them. At my instance he came
into the room Just before took them to
examine one OF them as to its date. So
far from their being books that were
"never lost 10 any one except the ex.City
Solicitor" the fact Is that we have now at
least one Of the books mentioned In the
Investigation Oommittee's report when
they say "the Collector withheld from the
committee not only his cash book but also
what iscalled In the office part book, and
also the real estate books, all Of which
have been removed from the Office by the
Collector" WIN. ERsHiNE.
WHEELING, March II, 1891.