The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-03-13

Committee on Fire Department; John NJ.
Higgins, chairman Committee on Gas;
Charles l.. Todd, chairman Committee on
Streets; W. III. Williams, chairman Com
mittee on Grounds and Buildings; and I.
II. Elicit was not chairman OF any commit
tee with which dealings was had among the
members OF the Council.
j. j. King had dealings OF SlSS.2S with
fire department; John VI. Higgins.
S303.S3 with gas department Charles l..
Todd, no dealings with streets depart
ment: W. II. Williams, no dealings with
grounds and buildings department; and
all supplies sold the city by any OF these
members were on proper vouchers, and,
according TO the evidence taken, no eXorbi-
faut or unfair price was charged or allowed
because Of their connection with the Coun-
ell or its committees.
Your committee was further directed TO
examine the books, papers, and vouchers
OF the various departments, and. report II
said books, papers, and accounts are pro-
pprly kept, and all moneys are disbursed
by proper authority, and il any fraud or
corruption has been practiced in said de-
partmentS.
Your committee could not possibly make
full or critical examination OF the books,
papers, and accounts OF the various de-
partments with no diflnite period to be
covered: but, from the system OF book
keeping pursued, they believe the checks
OF one department on another are such that
no corruption or fraud could be practiced
without the cOllusiOn OF the various de-
partments and gross carelessncsS and mat
tcntiOn OF committees; and from their
, al - nv
amined they feel iuStifedsin reporting that
no fraud or corruption has been practlced
in the various departments.
The books and accounts seem 10 be pro-
pcrly kept, and moneys disbursed on pro-
per authority.
Your committee, feeling that they have
fully performed their duty 80 for aS was
possible, beg to he discharged from further
consideration Of thi, matter, and ask that
you will order the payment OF $40 to the
secretary, B. I. August, for his services,
and $50 to Il. G.. Harrison for his services.
Your committee herewith lay before you
the record and evidence taken by them
for more detailed Information on the mat
ters under investigation.
This report was prepared and read when
every member OF your committee was pre-
sent. and was unanimously adopted.
Respectfully submitted.
W. {. CARRGNGT0N, Chairman.
Mr. ChaiIin said that he was glad to find
the amount - small. lie meant nothing
disrespcctful to the committee. First Mr.
Harrison was employed, and then Mr..
Langhornc took his place. Why didn't
the committee 90 back more than three
wears? lie wanted a show, at his own cX-
pcnse, and would 20 back to the time when
bic contracts were given out-such as wa
ter-workS, gls-WOrkS, dc. lie would give.
a bond OF $4,000. to be endorsed by the
Finance Committee, and it wouldn't cost
the city cent. Could anything be fairer!
And if there wasn't something rotten in
Denmark. why refuse him? He offered 4
resolution carrying into effect his suggcS-
ton.
The report Of the committee was re-
ceiyed. and the resolution authorizing the
payment Of the clerk and secretary was
adopted.
Mr.. Chalin's resolution was taken up.
DR.. Cabell said to allow Mr.. Chaiiin's
clerk To investigate the Auditors book
would violate the charter.
Mr.. Chafiin said he would get the LegiS-
lature to amend the charter.
Mr.. Chatlin's resolution failed.
CAPTAIN WISE AND Mr.. WILKINSON.
The Clerk read certain charges preferred
against Captain ;. c. Wilkinson by Captain
John :. Wise for violation OF his duty as
janitor at the Police Court.
Mr.. Chaflin said that be wished to say
that Captain Wilkinson courted the most
rigid investigation of his conduct.
Mir. Todd said that he was an eyewitness
OF what happened at the Police Court. and
that he never saw more timely act than
the arrest Of Wesley Jones (cOlOred). which
was the basis OF Captain Wise'S charges.
The Police Justice saw the whole affair,
and when the case was brought before HIM
paid Captain Wilkinson the very highest
compliment for efficient and faithful per-
formance of duty.
CAPTAIN WiSc's communication was re-
icrred 10 the Committee on Retrenchmcnt
and Reform.
RESOLUTIONS, PETITIONS, &C.
Bv Mr.. Williams 70 appropriate Sl,1OO
TO purchase the property adjoining The
Brook-ayenuc engnc-housc, 10 enable the
Committee on Grounds and Buildings 10
improve and remodel the la>t-named build
ing. Referred to the Committee on Finance.
4 proposition from the Brush ~ swan
Electric Company to light the city with
Gitv electric lights was read and referred
TO The Committees on Light, Finance, and
Water.
By Mr.. Williams: That the City Attor-
ney be instructed TO report upon the legal
itv or illcgality of the several appropria-
tlons annually made 10y the city lor chall-
table or humane purposes. Adopted.
By Mr.. Chatlin: That in order to give
orr industrious working class OF citizens
the opportunity OF making safe and profit
able investment in the city bonds to be
issued for building the City Hall. the
Finance Committce'bc instructed 10 issue
the said bonds m denominations OF 80,
$40. and the multipleS thereof. Referred
to the Finance Committee.
The rules were suspended on motion OF
DR.. Cabcll, and a resolution passed con-
dcmning the action Of the state Board OF
Education in undertaking TO remove the
Public school Trustee, OF the city OF Rich
mond. and appropriating $3.50 10 engage
counsel TO ald Mr.. Kelley, City Attorney,
i'm defending the city's interest in the
courts. The resolution called upon the
trustees appointed by the city to hold on
to their places until the courts OF the state
had decided the question.
Adjourned.
POLICE CoURT.-Police-JuSticc d. c.
Richardson preSiding.- following
cases were disposed of Yesterday:
III. McDonough was jailed for thirty
davs for stealing one lot OF combs from l..
II. Blair ~ Go.
Margaret Walker and Mary Tyler Doth
=, -. e,,ol 81 IN capb for beinO