The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-07-29

No Wrong Done.

AAtVh 1dkhiNNIOA UftIAEEr THAT sIFEklN-
TEsDEST-oF-THE-wArER-w0RKs DAVIS DE-
SERVES NO CESsURE-TBsTNoyY OF W.T.
sEssEs IN THE CASE.
Pursuant TO requests from MAYOR W. {.
Darlington, the following gentlemen met
in the Mayors Office yesterday morning for
the purpose Of investigating charges made
against Mr. james L. Davis, superiniend-
ent OF the Water-W Mr.. James l..
Davis, Superintendent Of the Water
Works; Colonel W. +. Cutshaw, Alder
men II. B. Chaffin and W. A. o. Cole,
Councilman Henry 7. Miller, and W. c.
Wilkinson.
The investigation grew out OF a remark
made by Alderman Chaffin, charging n
councilman with building a house out OF
city material and with city hands, &c. Mr..
Chaftin gave Colonel Cutshaw rs authority
for this statement. Colonel Cutshaw de-
MED saying il was councilman, and said
II was Mr.. Davis, Superintendent Of the
Water-Works, and gave Mr.. W. c. Wilkin-
son as authority.
The matter rested here until yesterday
morning, when the following facts came 10
light:
Mr.. W. c. Wilkinson, after being sworn.
stated as follows:
Question by the Mayor: Do you know
anything Of the building OF house Of any
sort by James L. Davis, Superintendent OF
the Water Works, on his premises or else
where, for his own Use or benefit, con-
structcd in any degree with city material
or in any manner at city costi
Answer: No, sir.
Question: Have you told any one that
such building was erected or such work
done by Mr.. Davisi II so, give your in
formant'S name. and any facts and dates
that will throw light on the charge made.
A. never heard Of it until last night
about hali-pa 10 o'clock, after / was sum-
moned to testify.
@. Is there anything else relating to this
matter that you deem il proper or wish to
state as due yourself or others?
A. You stated the matter 10 me for the
first time last night. after inviting me to
appear before YOU to testify, and l never
heard Of it before. ] deem It proper TO say
that / do not believe Colonel Cutshaw
would miSstate anything for his right arm,
but | have no recollection OF ever hearing
Of the matter or speaking Of il, and there
fore he must be mistaken in his recollec-
tiOn.
Colonel W. Z. Cutshaw, City Engineer,
was sworn.
Question 10y the Mayor: State anything
YOU know or have heard relative to the
building OF an clubhouse on his premises by
James L. Davis, Superintendent of Water
Works, out of city material by city hands,
&C.. and il you know or have heard any
thing give names OF witnesses. dates, and
such facts as will fully investigate the mat
ter.
Colonel Cutshaw: In conversation in
nv office some time since, in relation 10
other matters Captain W. {. Wilkinson
mentioned that James l.. Davis, Superin-
tendent OF Water-W orks, living on the Op-
posite side o, the street from him, had
built a closet on his lot out OF city material,
with work done by city hands. This mai
ter incidentally mentioned TO Mr.. Chaffln,
and thus it reached its present status. !
express full confidence in Captain Wilkin-
son, and do not believe he would misstate
ANYTHING, but my recollection differs from
his as to this matter.
At this point Captain Wilkinson, still
being present, said ~ still have no recoi-
lection OF the conversation stated by Colo
mel Cutshaw; but / have lived opposite
James L. Davis for many years, and up to
June. 1880, was familiar with all changes
about his premises. ! reeollect the change
OF location some years since and the build
ing of a closet on his lot, and that It wa'
not done by any city hands, but by An
drew Green, a builder Of this city
After this the Mayor addressed Mr.
Davis the following letter, which reads:
"Having called you before me by letter
Of Yesterday to answer charge Of using
CITY lumber and labor for your private ben
eft. and having investigated the matter
and had YOUR statement and other evidence
under oath, feel that / owe sou the act O
/ Justice TO state my conclusions.
/ 81 am convinced that you have conceal
ed nothing, have done only what YOU be
| lieved to be proper and right. and wha
/ vou had good ground TO suppose was au
thorized by proper authority, and what re
suited in protection to city property to
greater extent than the cost OF the mate
rial and labor you used for the city.
/ "|The facts that material and labor Wer'
used at city cost TO put shed on YOU
nremises are admitted, but 1t Is equal.
clear il was erected for the protection o
c1ty property. Therefore ! deem II prope
to report TO the Council that in my !ud-
ment YOU have done no wrong III THIS lllal
ter. and hence deserve no censure.
Il am pleased at this result Tor one :
long connected with the city works, ant
who has borne so good character a.
citizen and an officer"