Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-10-14

HlrD, anu DtAOIt tUc rtNtf Ne- p'o"s"'' ''''s
went TO his office. explained what was
about TO occur, gave my views about the
matter, read TO him letters which had passed
between the superintendent OK Gas-W orks
ard myself ON the subject, had his Qhe
Nav or's) assurance That he wonld not per-
mi, the sewer 10 he broken, and was re-
auested TO nctify him OF any attempt to do
so that he might take steps 10 prevent II.
In this connection the Mayor msstates
iact IN saying that feared an explosion
from seyer-gas. stated distinctly that,
in my opinion. there would be olnIer OF
explosion from gas leaking into the sewer
from the gas-pipe, aud on this point READ
him q letter which bad written TO the SUI
perintendent Of Gas-W orks, several weeks
before, whGn The same question was
involved of running a ga>-pipe into
sewer at 81 oad and Fourteenth streets.
Ii wqs not until Tuesday morning. Sep
tCmher 23d, after 1 had gore to the Mayor
20 inform him the sewer had been broken,
explained. and discussed the action OF the
two committees at meeting held the night
before. and appcaled to h!m again TO use
bis authority 10. prevent injury 10 the
sewer, thai {" / (he) took tho precautionary
step to ask the presidents Of the two
branches Of The Council TO meet the City
Engineer and myself (himse'D on the
ground and inspect the premises" Hero
the Mcvor misstates another fact in say
ing cal of us dgrcGd the sewer ought not
TO be disturbed, and directed further
work ut that point TO stop" Before any
expression OF opinion was giyen by the
presidents OF tie two branches OF the Coun-
ell the Mayor expressed bis own opinion In
The most positive manner that the sewer
was damaged, and. without waiting for
anu agreement, ordered the work 10 be
stopped. II was during the interviews OF
Tuesday morning. september 23d, both IN
his Cfiicc and at Broad and Seventh streets,
that the Mayor promised to send mes-
sage relating TO this controycr.y 10 the
Council, which he knew would meet the
evening Of that day.
The Mayor says, "withOut my (hiS)
knowledsc the work did proceed beyond
Mc point Of alleged damage to the culyert.
ON learning OF this early next morning,
(he) again called the City Engineer to a con-
suilltion." &c. Here the Mayor misleads
yCu. He knew on Tuesday, september 23d,
that the work had been recommended after
he bad stopped il, a. he shows by sending
2 message to my residence that night for
me 10 meet him next morning "wednesday,
September 24th.) ut : o'clsck at Broad and
Seventh street-.
The Mayor is misinIormed when he says
&" am (he s) informed that the Ci;y Engi-
noer had agreed 10 be b0uad by the action
% the two Committees on Light and Streets,
&c.v II he lad taken the pains to learn
from all parties who were present at the
meeting OF the Two committees held Non
day night. September 22d, as well a. from
those who considered the matter that morn
ing, TO find out what did transpire, even II
he did not recall what | said to him in our
interview on Tuesday morning. September
23d, he would have known that | did not
enter into any such agreement. The only
thing that could have given color 10 such
"A statement was the result o! a conference
Of the chairman Of The Committee on Streets,
chairman Of Committee on Light, Superin-
tondent OF Gas Works. and myself, on
Monday morning. September 22d. in which
] stated that IL left TO me the sewer should
not be broken into, but II the committee
directed otherwise should acquiescc. All
Of us present knew this meant the Commit.
tee on streets. under whose direction | AN
officially concerned in the sewers, and did not
mean the Committee on Light. II was my
own suggestion that the two committees
should meet to consider the matter, but at
no time did ever agree to be bound by
sDv action OF the two committees.
The Mayor is also misinformed when he
saws "that it was understood that or reach
ING any further like obstruction il would
be arranged TO the satisfaction OF aud on
conference with the City Engineer" The
chairman Of the Committee on Light did
say to me privately that he would endelyOr
20 avoid any future trouble. bur there was
nothing done to make any official obligation
OF tins, and therefore could not be con-
strued by the Mayor as relieving him OF
apprehension from further like trouble and
damage" The Mayor is again misiniorm-
ed when he says " tina. the city Engineer
has been asked. bit has failed to fur
nish information. de-" Most OF the
members OF the Committee on Light,
many OF the officers OF the Gas De-
partmcnt, aud all Of my assistants who
have had dealings with the Gas Department
will bear evidence to the fact that lni0rma-
ton has not only been cheerfully given
frOra my Office and on the ground when
ever asked for. but my assistants and my
self have repeatedly offered TO furnish in
formation and have requested to Dc notified
when it was needed.
The Mayor says: II am (he i,) Informed
bv several expert. that no such danger or
damage rs was predicted by the CITY Ea-
ginerr could result" &c. II the Mayor
needed line opinion OF other experts after
| had told him on Saturday. september
Goth. that IT would iniure tue sewer to
break its arch; that it would diminish its
SIZE and iniure il to cross apipe through il.
and that there would be danger from gas
leaking into the sewer TO make with con-
fined air an explosive mixture. why did he
not confront me with them to satisfy him
self before lie acted in the matter:
The Mayor finally says ~ (he) regret
the emergency was such that (he) could
not refer the matter to you for decision be-
fore | (hc) took any action, but tic action
was forced upon me (him)," &c. II he
ialcd in his promise TO send message 10
tbc Council on Tuesday. September 2jd.
the day Before hc had the gas officials AZ
rested, and also failed 10 Communicate
with you on Saturday, September 20th,
four days before his action in making the
arrest, and three days before the sewer
Wss broken into. why does he say, " | (he)
could not refer the matter to you: Why
does be say. The issue was forced upon
me (him)": when he stated positively in
the Police Court that he was satisfied city
property was being injured. that he had
acted upon his own Judgment, and that
he was responsible. for what he had
done. In the outset Of this affair,
The Mayor bad ample opportunity to have
had oil parties to the controversy before
him. without dependin. upon er p1rte
statements Of any kind. before deciding
what he should do in the matter.
regret to see that this subject has taken
such turn as to make me appear IN the alb
surd position OF causing all the trouble. II
the mistakes which have been made all
around are TO be saddled on me, the whole
tbirg will be made supreme farce by con
cludng that The Engineer himself injured
the sewer. that he neglected his duty in
trying to prevent gas-pipe being laid into
il, and that publicity was given TO the AZ
fair as an advertisement.
Very respectfully,
|SigEedl W. +. CUTsHAw,
City Engineer.
Ee,srs. Page aud williams were an.
nounecd ~ the special committee from The
Board.
MECHANICS INSTITUTE.
Mr.. Page offered the following, which
WA. referred to the Finance COMMITTEES
ReSOlred 6V the Board ot Aldermen (tht
Common Council cOncurringl, That The
sum OF 81, 900 be appropriated FOR the pur
pose Of purchasing apparatus. paying room
rent, aud other proper expenses OF th'
school for mechanics lately organized un
l.. ID,.;I