The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1888-03-29


In an article published in the last issue
of the V51dicdtor over the signature of J.
A. Cochran, appears the following Ian,
guage: 1.-The prudent business men of the
community are at a loss to know where
they will be Landed in two years more if
this council is endorsed by reelection by
the people-this council that has given
contracts to its members, their agents aud
employees, amounting to thousands of dol
lars, when | am informed that some of
these employees have not even license to
do ruSineSSs, etc. "
Now it is perfectly apparent to every
reader of his article, that [ am the indi-
vjdual alluded to in the above quotation
as having given contracts to their (myl
EMPLOYEES, etc." Meaning, of course. the
contract given to MIR. B. j. Arnal for the
steam heating apparatus for the new
school building. Now in the first place,
let me state, that L am utterly astonished
to know that a gentleman of Mr.. Coch.
rams intelligence and experience as
councilman, is not aware that no mechanic
is required to pay license for any work
he may perform. Any plumber or steam
filter could come here from any quarter of
the country and fit up all the buildings in
the city and not have one dollar of license
tax to pay. Now as to the contract given
Mr.. Arnall. Bids were advertised for and
three were received, including Mr.. AS,
who proposed to do the work for price
much less than either of his competitors.
for the same class OF work. This bid, as
required if accepted, was accompanied,
by a bond and satisfactory security for the
efficient performance OF the work, and the
contract was given him by unanimous
vote of the council. Now if there was
any one else i'll this city or out of it, who
wanted TO bid for this work, he had
every opportunity Of doing so, and his
bid would have been honestly considered.
Mr.. Arnall had a perfect right to turn the
work over to me to execute for him. and
the consideration that induced him to do
so, is a matter between him and myself
have done other work for the city, some of
given me by committees, or the Council, and
all of which has been faithfully performed at
reasonable prices and al the profits therefrol
| spent among our business ahd lahoriug mon.
! am associated in the Council with a party of
| gentlemen among whom l am the only me-
chanic, and 1t is qualification to me to know
that my association with them has prompted
them, in few instances when they could,
without compromising their honor or the city's
interest," favored my applications for work. /
| have nothing to conceal from the public in
what did in the way of work for the city, and
| will here state that the sum total of it all.
| given in the figures OF the clerk and copied
| from the records, is $537 So
the beginning of this card quoted Mr.. Coeh-
ran as saying, 'fhis Gtalics minel council tl.as
has given contractg to ita meAlhers, their
agenfa and employees, Sc Now could any
| Que imagine that gentleman who so strongly
deprecates the privilege of allowing members
! of the Council to receive pecuriary benefits
! from the city's expenditures. would leign to
accept such benefits himself when member
of that body, or as chief executive officer of the
city 2 OF course not But oh! consistency
| what jewel thou art
Read, and know that every figure is copied
| from the record and not by me but by the
| clerk himself.
Mr. Cochran was elected to the Council Oct,
| I'd, IL His first bill against the city was for
The month Of Nov. II, and the record shows
| that hP had bill against the city every month
frop November 1877 to July, 1882, and we see
his bills appearing again i'll Dec 's2, and run
ming through to July, 1888, showing total pay
ment to Mr.. c. of 81 $1,000
He now Gully l. 1850 assumes the duties Of
! Mayo. of the city. and the mill of the "Chef .
grinds on.
Now this little amount from he city treasury
/ in the poek Its of gentleman who is opposed
to the council giving its membefs contracts
produces a peculiar flavor OF Inconsistency
Iaue he did net get it through contracts, for in
the latter event other dealers in his line would
have had chance to bid against him, and his