The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-06-06
PERSONAL FEELING
ENGINEERED At THE COUNCIL COW
MITTEE MEETING.
HAD Mr.. CURTIS THE RIGHT TO
EAT AIT?
THANKS Fnou CoaNODO:sE coz
MsNDANs BROWN.
western Commercial neu Expected
uetclO Day The Circnit court fc~
ferdny-PIizes for tIr@inian>
fnIries Tor To-Day at Je-
rome PARK.
PERSONAL FEELING

The Committee on the improvements
of James River met IN the Council
/ Chamber Yesterday evening ai 60 clock.
all members but two being present.
ksThe chairman read the following COM
muuicatiOn from Commodore Com
mandant Brown, Of the Norfolk navy
yard:
Commander McCurly has informed
me of the courteous and valuable ser-
vice rendered by your tugs in towing
the Maynower from Fort Powha'an to
/ Richmond and back 90 the momtlls
when she was disab ed By the breaking
down Of her machinery. Please ac-
cept my thanks for yourself ami exc
/ tend the Same 10 the officers of your
tugs. rot only for the valuable services
rendered. but for the kindly spirit
evinced and the prOmptness and ciii-
cheney by those under your command.
Your action in this case strengthens
NY opinion that the removal Of the
monitors from City Point 90 Randolph
Flats was a wise act on the part OF The
Navy Department.
Very respectfully yours.
GEORGE ". BROWN.
"Commodore Commaudaut.
The letter was addressed to Mr.. Lewis
ID. Crenshaw. Jr. chairman of the
Committee on the Improvement of
james River.
A communication from Thomas Ei-
lett. secretary of Warwick Park Trans
poriation Company setting forth the TACT
that the State regatta would be- held
ON the Fourth of July.under theausp GEES
of the Virginia Boat Club, and the ,X-
recitation of large crowd was read.
In this connection the company ''aIc
working In accord: saw Mr.. Elicit
with the Virginia Boat Club AID are
DESTROYS of securing the TWO city tugs.
the CTaighill and the Christian On that
GAY. The Warwick Park Transp0rta-
ton Company therefore especially
request the use of those tugs on tDai
day. II beng understood that they pay
the eX peuses of the same. The secretary
was instructed to state To Mr. BurgWyn
that the committee deemed It ineXpedi-
ent 10 accede 10 his request.
The following communication "ss
taken up:
"McHMoND. VA. June Z. 1859.
so the Committee 0n James Hirer.
"Geutlemen--I have been for many
months wheelsman Of the tug Henry
Christian, but ia consequence of the
adoption Of regulations which re-
garded as unnecessary, harsh, ana eX-
acting. / have been compelled % resign.
This / have preferred TO DO rather
than be- guilty Of Decentralization, lor
recognize the authority of the mast r.
| feel. however. that have been denied
privileges 10 which. IN my position, |
was IN all fairness entitled. and % Dis for
that reason | respectfully request your
committee 10 review the matter and
give me such redress as | think / am
entitled to. Very respectfully.
w. HAMPTON CURTIS.
The matter provoked considerable
discussion. The first point raised was
whether the committee had any right
10 consider the matter, a. the tugs were
now in the employment Of the United
States. and Mr.. Curtis had been APP
pointed by Mr.. Burgwyn in charge Of
the United States james river improve
ment.
Finally. parties to both sides being
present. on motion Of Ir. B0deker the
committee decided 10 near the case. ".
Hampton Curtis stated that he started
10 work ON the tug as deck hand. but
had been promoted ID the position Of
wheelma which Is the same as that of
mate and that Captain Tom. G.. Cum
nDgham had issued orders fOIbiddiug
him TO eat at. This he considered
hardship, and also that he had been
forced o. keep watch.
Nj. John 4. Gurus. father Of Hamp-
ton Curtis, was, By permission. allowed
to speak He said such an order was
unheard 81. and he quoted Captain
Setn Foster and other authorities 90
prove this. Captain Tom Cunningham
also made a statement. he said that
be had done only what he considered
TO be his duty. which night and day he
had tried 20 perform .althtHlly aud "a T.
isfactorily To the committee. lie had
no personal feeling of al viii against
Mr. Curtis. aud was sorry he had 70 APP
pear before the committee IN the
matter.
The committee then went in secret
session, anu decided to take no action
in the matter. Considerably personal
feeling Was eyinced.