The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-08-08
COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS.
Tho Council and tho ChaHIn Com.
plicatiOn.
The City Fathers Favor n Fair Field and
Open Pight-Increase or City Officers and
Employees Saiaries-Adjournment Until
October.

Open Pight-Increase OF City Officers an,
Employees Salaries-Adjournment Unit
October.
The regular monthly meeting Of th,
Common Council took place yesterday eve
ing In the Council chamber. Present
Mr.. President Ellyson and the folloWins
members: Messrs. Adams, Allen, Archer
Bowie, Brauer, Campbell, Clarke, Curtis
Frischkom, Gum, Hargrove, HAYES, Hig
gins, Hughes, King, Metzger, Miller, Pat
ton, Pizzini, Phillips, Rose, Straus, Tur
pin, Hooper, WcIsiger, Randolph, and Ba
hen.
The minutes OF the past meeting were
read and approved.
COMMUNICATION PROM THE MAYOR.
The clerk read n communication from
the Mayor, returning without his approval
a resolution instructing the Finance Com.
mttee to employ an expert to examine the
papers and records OF the Auditors, Trea.
surer's, and TaA-Collector's offices. The
Mayor assigned as reasons for vetoing this
resolution that IL was not legally passed,
the vote not being taken by ayes and noes,
and not recorded as required where an ap.
preparation Of more than 300; that there
was no limit to the salary to be paid,
and none to the period to he
covered by the examination; that
the resolution cited no suspicion
Of deialcation or fraud in either OF the OF
ficers named. The Mayor cited the fact
that each OF the officers named were heavily
bonded, and gave other reasons for his ac-
tion-among them the one that the City
Attorney agreed with him as to the illegal
ity Of the passage Of the resolution.
The Mayor also submitted such reports
Oi departments as had reached him for
1881, and made suitable excuses for the
delay in forwarding these reports.
He also submitted the following in regard
to his action i'm investigating certain charges
against certain departments OF the city
government made by Alderman ChafIin:
MAYORS OFFICE
RICHaOND, VA, August 3, 1882.
To the Honorable Members Of the City
Council:
Gentlemen, Charges having been made
by Hon. X. B. Chaffin that there was 4 de-
ficiency in accounting for funds paid for
use Of the city by the county OF IIenricO
ceeded TO investigate the matter, and now
nesses examined by me.
The names mentioned in connection with
the matter were William Jenkins, William
English, A. ID. Chesterman, l.. Wagner,
former chairmen OF your Committee on
Relief OF the Poor, and {. =. Bigger, SUI
perintendent OF AImshouse.
There was no evidence to show what
amount was collected by William Jenkins
while chairman, though he is shown to
have reported to the committee some col
lections made and to have paid some money
into the city treasury. He makes oath that
he paid iu all he received or spent it under
authority OF his committee, and do not in
the least doubt the truth OF his statement.
l.. Wagner had never collected any money,
and hence there could be no deficit as to
him.
William English and c. =. Bigger had
paid into the city treasury promptly, and
as they received it, without spending any,
thing, all they collected.
A. ID. Chesterman had paid all he re-
ceived into the city treasury, or spent il
by authority OF his committee, and upon
the whole had accounted for $3.50 more
than he received during the term OF his
craftsmanship from 1871 tothe time he went
out OF Office.
There was period from January, 1876
(the date OF acceptance OF the contract by
the county,, to the last quarter III 1871
when no account was given OF the
amounts paid by the county; but during
that period n considerable sum is reported
as paid into the treasury OF the city.
As the parties then paying and receiving
had passed from office, and hence were no
now subject to my or your control, L die
not seek to investigate that period. In
deed, the other seeming deficiency was So
fully accounted for. for so long period,
did not regard it probable that inVestiga
ton would disclose anything wrong.
| OF course regard, and so now report Z
YOU. that not the slightest stain attaches t
the character OF either Earty named in thi
matter.
Other less important charges were made
but so clearly were they disproyen that
deem 1t unnecessary to report them 10 you
One grave charge remains as yet not III
yestigated by me, because L could get nj II
facts. dates, or names that Is, ina
Mr.. Cbaffin charges that some coun
Gilman received commission OF to
per cent. on sale OF city bonds. III
Auditor assures me that no such commi'
sion has been paid TO any one since nj
| term OF oilice-about ten years.
hope you will direct such inquiry
he made as will enable Mr.. Chaflin to su
tain this charge, il it can be proven.
Respectfully submitted.
w. G. CARRINGTON, Mayor.
On motion OF Mr.. Higgins, these con
munications were received ana accepleu'
CITY RESERVOIR.
The Mayor presented a correspondent
between the Keeper of the New Reservoir
CITY Engineer Cutshaw. City Attorn'
Kelley. and himself, in regard to rap
driving and riotous conduct at the Ne
reservoir.
Attorney Kelley gave it as his oplniC
that the present ordinances were auequi'
for the protection OF the property.
PERSONAL EXPLANATION AND CERTAIN
CHARGES.
Mr.. Higgins arose to personal eXpin
tion. and said that he had seen Aiderm
Chaffn's card in the Dispatch OF July -
and that as Mr.. Chaf1in was not memD
oi th,s body, he would ask leave to prese
/, some resolutions referring to the matt.
= He had embraced the earliest opportllnl
presented to take this step.
The clerk read the card published IN
D;sDatch. This preiaced the resolution
and while it was being read Mr.. CUR
arose and asked IL this was in order WI
! making personal explanation.
, The Chair said he could not say l
!, iii he had heard the resolutions reau
. there was anything in the card that !,
:. not nertinent he would rule it out OF ora
4 The clerk proceeded and read, follow
= Cbaf,jp's, card the following resolutl'
q offered by Mr. Higgins:
y I'm order that the citizens and taX-pay
. q, this community may after fair and
y partial investigation be satisled as 10
r truth or falsity OF the aliegatiohs eoh'a,' ,
" - fRillItr ack the alODf