Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-09-12
WHY ne RESIGNED.
mr.. W. G. Wilkinson Tells why He
Gave Hin SITS Piaee

Gave Up His Place.
The following is reproduced in the
Dispatch by request of Mr.. Wilkinson:
Editor oft Wig:
A note of inquiry appeared in the
Whig Of yesterday, signed Tax
Payer" asking why resigned as
superintendent Of hands engaged in ex-
cavatiDg at the City Hail." ] will
avail myself Of your courtesy to state
the circumstances Of my engagement
and the reasons which induced me to
resign. did not seek the position in
any manner, directly or indirectly, but
having been frequently employed in
SIMILAR work under the supervision OF
tie City Engineer, Colonel Cutshaw
appointed me superintendent, and the
Committee on Grounds and Buildings
APPROVED the same. l did not for
moient suppose that partisan conside-
ti'ns influenced any member Of the
conn., D,uittee in his vote for or against my
Drmation, and accepted the posi-
,1ith the determination of dis
Charging lalehfally the doAs deyolying
upon me, and with the settled purpose
Of guarding the interests Of the city by
requiring honest labor for every dollar
of money expended. l had no predi-
lection or prejudice for or against any
man or class of men, but my only in
quiries would have been directed as to
the willingness and ability of the party
seeking employment to do the work re-
quired.
Some time after my confirmation l
was introduced to and had a converse
ton with Mr.. Snead, member of the
committee, who informed me that there
was some opposition on the part of the
workipgmen " to my appointment. |
inquired Of Mr.. Snead the grounds Of
this opposition. lie replied it was be-
cause of the active part | had taken as
a Democrat in the last election. told
him had nothing to regret on that
score; that l had always been Demo-
crat, expected to be Democrat as long
as there was a party under that name,
and would always vote with the largest
number of the white people of my State
and city. He then said that he was
laboring to bring about a reconciliation
between the two factions of the party,
and that my appointment was an i'm
pediment in the way of such recon-
citation. / replied if that WAS so-if
by retaining the situation one single
voter would be prevented from return
ing to the party-I would cheerfully
step down and out, as | had not sought
the position, and could live without it.
Upon his assurances that harmony
would be promoted by such a course |
rendered my resignation. In doing so |
made no sacrifice, as | never expected
to be a pensioner upon the bounty Of
the city but | would have surrendered
much greater emoluments and honors
could have induced single way
ward brother" even Mr.. Snead, to
have returned to the Democratic fold.
Another reason which influenced my
action was the profound conviction that
it was greatly to the interest Of the
tsx.paye rs of the city for Colonel Cut
shaw to remain in charge Of the work {;
and | did not intend in any manner
to embarrass that upright and faithful
officer by being the cause Of antago-
nism between the committee and him
self.
In conclusion, will say that this
opposition of the worBingmen " to my
employment is wholly iDexplicable,
unless it be political. have lived BY
the labor Of my hands nearly all my
lie, and in later years, as foreman of
laborers, can say that no man has ever
had just cause for complaint against
me. There is not man in the city
who has ever been employed under my
direction who would not cheerfully do
so again, and many have left other posi-
tions to take places under me at the
same rate of wages. Very respectfully,
w. @. WILKINSON.