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

AYEs.-Messre HurNcll. tahcll. Cole. Dlckcr-
son. GlasgOw, Pleasants, Rankin, Taylor, Will
NoFs.~Mcssrs. Barksdalc. Chafn. Cohen. Crcn-
shaw, Duilied, Todd. and Wellford-7.
And the appropriation was lost.
STANDING COMMITTEES.
Reports from the standing committee
were presented and received. From the
Committee on Schools a recommendation
not to eat of the salary Of the Superin-
tcndent Of Schools for the city was accept
ed.
The Committee on Grounds and Build
ings reported in favor OF locating the new
City Hall on the old City-IIall lot and the
Tuppcr property, combining the two. A
resolution looking TO the purchase Of the
Tupper property and the appointment OF
committee to 20 North and look after mod
els. &c., was offered. and was recommitted
to the committee until the next meeting OF
the Board.
The Committee on Cemeteries recon-
mendcd that the Board refuse to concur in
the Councils action donating n section OF
land I'm Oakwood cemetery TO the German
Society; and their recommendation pre-
vailed.
REPORT OF TIE CHAFFIN INVESTIGATING COM
The committee appointed to investigate
certain charges made by Alderman K. Il.
Chaiiin, through their chairman, Mayor
Darlington, submitted the following re-
port, which was received:
RICHMOND, VA, March Q, 1888.
10 the Honorable Members Of the city
Council:
Gcntlemcn,-NOurc committee 10 whom
was referred certain charges against MEM
berS Of the City Council 10y Alderman Il.
B. Chaflin, in communication published
over his signature in the Richmond Dis
pQich. beg leave TO report that in accord
ance with instructions in your resolutions
approved by the Mayor November 3, 1882,
they met on the 10th OF that month. and
Organized for the performance Of the duty
assigned them 10y elcctinS Il. I. August ~
secretary.
Having no evidence on which TO COM
mencc the investigation. and a. prelim-
nary to full and rigid inquiry, they di-
rectcd their secretary To invite Mr.. Chaihn
to appear before them. and 10 call on him
for any facts, or information, or the names
OF any witnesses known TO him.
To this Mr.. Chatlin replied, deciing to
appear or to give any information or the
names of AZ witnesses.
Determined to leave no effort untricd to
reach any facts which might exist or any
witnesses who could testify, your commit
tee next directed their chairman to insert Z
proclamation in the city papers. calling
upon any and all persons who were aware
of anv facts 10 sustain the charges OF Mr..
Cha0in 10 come before them and testify, or
to give the names OF witnesses or Of facts to
any member OF the committee or TO the
chairman or secretary.
This proclamation was published in the
daily papers Of the city for five day..
Not a single response was made to this
call.
Your committee lhcn determined to
call before them every head Of department
in the city. and the employees Of each de-
partment, and require them 10 answer. I'M
der oath. whether any OF them knew OF any
evidence or facts TO Justify any Of the
charges made. and to that end framed in
tcrrogatorics which embraced and covered
each and every allegation, charge, or in-
sinuation OF Mr.. Chaiiin.
KNEW NOTHING.
Many hundred witnesses were exam
ined. and each answered under oath that
he knew nothing TO sustain or justify any
Of the charges.
The only point on which any evidence
could be obtained was the one alluded to
bv Mr.. Chaflin concerning some member
Of the Council who had charged per
cents for selling city bonds, and on this
point the evidence failed to sustain the
charge in the slightest degree, or 10 reflect
on the former member Of the Council to
whom reference Was made.
The facts OF that transaction were these:
Mr.. CrenShaw, member Of your COM
mittee. heard Mr.. ChItlin state that John
| o. Winn. Esq, former clerk in the Audi
tors office. was his informant in this mat
ter and ne also admitted the same fact to
| the chairman Of this committee.
Mr.. Winn was called on and appeared
ON examination Of the Auditors books
( by Mr.. Vim, he pointed ont the sales OF
/ two lots OF city bonds through VI. l..
StrauS. then chairman OF Finance Com
mittec, in aggregate the amount Of St10O'
on which it appeared discount from mar
/ ket value was allowed OF one hdJ Of one
per cent. Thiswas stated by Mr.. Nmn to
| lie the only transaction Of which he had
any knowledge. and proven 10y the Audi
! tor and his books To Dc the only tran>ac-
/ ton of the sort on record.
/ The city was then paying TO brokers and
/ its financial agents t,rO per cent. on the
/ sales OF all bonds, while Dr. StrauS sold
! this 1000 at full markct-yalue; allowed
only one third OF the usual rates for sale
Of these bOnds-allOWed that TO the pur-
cha.ers: did not himself receive fartmng
Of benefit, but the transaction was an ac-
/ tual saving TO the city OF Il per cent. on
| the bonds sold, and was not only wise but
profitable 10 the city.
Your committee used their utmost effort
! 10 reach any evidence which existed TO
/ sustain these charges. and having failed TO
find any. they feel constrained 10 return
herewith the record kept OF their tranSac-
tions. the names OF witnesses examined,
| the testimony taken. and TO report that. ac-
cording TO their finding and Judgment,
none Of the charges n made by Mr.. Chaiin
/ have been sustained
GROUNDLESs CHARGES.
As Mr.. Chaflin by subsequent publication
had named five members OF your body
who had made money In large amounts by
dealings with the city and sales to various
departments, your committee deemed II
but as act of Justice 10 those members, and
within the scope Of their duty, to inquire
! into this matter also.
To this end they determined to employ
an expert accountant to examine the DOCKS
and vouchers Of the Auditors Once, ana
TO ascertain the extent OF sales and deal
ings Of these five members with me city
for period Of five years from 1871, and
for that purpose employed 7: &. Harrison,
ESQ, at a compensation of 80 per day.
Finding it would take longer to com
plete that period and cost more than they
expected, and believing the purpose was
fully answered by the exhibit OF the less
period OF three years, they reduced the
time accordingly and stopped the expert at