The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-03-31
MOSLEY'S EXPLANATION.
y'APER FROM THE LATE CLERK OF
THE SECOND MIRkET.


Mr.. w. II. Mosley, the clerl, Of the Second
market, who was recently removed.oy Mayor
Ellyson on the charge Of irregularity in the
conduct Of his Office. last night presented
communication to the City Council, Of which
the following is liberal extract;
Gentlemen: submit 10 your consideration
an explanation of my official conduct as clerk
of the Second market. of which the Honorable
Mayor. in the exercise Of his duty, has seen
CT 10 complain 10 you in his message Of March
%. 1891
was elected clerk Of the Second market IN
July. 1888, and Immediately entered upon the
discharge Of my duties as such.
| found no books, accounts, or papers Of
any kind to guide me in the performance of
my duties. or 10 give me the most remote idea
Of the condition Of affairs in said market. /
vent nj once to Mr.. Turpin, the auditor Of
public accounts, and explained to him my
embarrassment.
He was unable 10 give me the names Of tho
stal-renters. or any other information con-
corning the Office, except as to the manner IN
which my predecessor had conducted the
same. and was, by Mr.. Turpin, referred TO the
late clerk Mr.. Catlett
went at once TO Mr.. Catlett who was sick
at the time and unable to give me the desired
information.
called afterwards on him several times
and as All explanation of his failure 10 give me
any information. he informed me that he had
never kept any books or accounts Of his Office
at once proceeded 10 obtain the names Of
The renters in the only manner left Tor me 70
do-by q personal call upon each one Of them
After had been in Office one month. Mrs.
l.. n l,o..l ia IA
names Of the renters, which greatly assisted
me- This was all the assistance ever Oh
tanned
wHEN he BEGAN.
When entered upon the discharge of my
duties was furnished 10y the Auditor with
printed rent-rook. out of which was ex-
pected 10 make out bill for each of the
monthly renters. and on the stub thereof -
record the date, name, stall and the amount
of said bill.
The bills so made out by me amounted TO
a warrant authorizing the Treasurer 70 re-
ceive said amounts and give the Second mar
ket credit therefor
The stubs 10 this book | returned 10 tho
Auditors Office before the 10th Of each month,
and as this book contained tho names OF every
stall-renter never supposed that ! was re-
quired TO furnish any other list, and was
never requested or required so 20 do by the
Auditor or any Of his clerks.
When these bills. which ! made out and
presented to the renters were paid at the
Treasurers Office, they were entered on his
books, and checked as paid on the stub of the
book last mentioned by the Auditor or ono of
his deputies.
The daily renters were not entered upon
this book. but were required 60 purchase from
me license-hcket for one day az the price Of
ten cents each
These tickets obtained from the Auditors
Office in any number desired. giving my re-
ceipt therefor, and having to account for the
same.
The names on the stub Of the book before
mentioned not checked by the Auditor a. paid,
constitute the delinquent list complete list
of which, as appearing from said stubs. the
Auditor is required by the ordinance 10 fur
nish the clerk with on the first weekday after
the 10th Of each month.
For some reason this ordinance has mover
been complied with in the Auditors Office dur
ing my incumbency.
1t is true that was furnished with list Of
dehnquents for the preceding month, but
there the list stopped. and if the delinquency
existed prior TO the beginning Of the preced-
ing month il was not put on this list, and
had no notification whatever of the older de
lnquence.
In my humble judgment this omission to
furnish complete list of dellnquents is the
cause of the whole trouble.
WHAT THE ORDINANCE REQUIRED.
have frequently asked for this list. but was
never able to get il, Mr.. Turpin cOntended
that the list he furnished me was all that the
ordinance required.
This, however, cannot be the correct inter
probation. because If II was made to appear -
the clerk thata, renter continued delinquent the
market committee are empowered TO declare
the stall vacant and the clerk is required to
proceed by warrant or otherwise 10 recover
the same as soon as practicable.
actlr a ftra1 from, No oh
that had no accurate official information of
dellnquents except from the immediate pre-
eading months.
/ was not even furnished with duplicate
lists Of delnquents, and the single list fur
nished me was very soon torn down or dis
figured, as may well be imagined when posted
N place as pablo AS the market
| brought tins matter 10 the attention OF my
market committee moro than once. and en-
deayored TO get the committee of the two
markets together so as to remedy what | saw
was constant source of loss 10 the city.
by the failure to keep the clerk posted as 10
the delinquents in his market many renters
left the market with their stall rent unpaid
and the clerk none the wiser. and for that
same reason am now confronted with dozens
of affidavits the practical effect of which is 10
put upon me now, after great lapse of time.
the burden of proving that they were never
paid. and which information comes to me for
the hrst time, not from the Auditors Office,
a. 1t should come, when matters were fresh in
every ones mind, but from ex parte aflidayits
after lapse of time which would make il I'M
reasonable To expect information or eKplaua-
tons from one having such a multiplicity Of
transactions as the clerk Of the market
RECEIVED RENT.
One Of the chief complaints of my official
conduct rests upon the fact that | received
rent from the renters in violation Of section
SIX OF chapter tweity-sX. which provides that
ali bills are 10 be PAYABLE to the Treasurer
Gas bills and water bill are also PAYABLE 10
the Treasurer, but have never heard il con-
tended that any citizen could not send a
friend Of his 20 the Ireasurer's Office 10 pay
his bills.
had never conceived that the market stood
upon any other footing, and l respectfully
submit 10 the tax payers of Richmond wheth-
or 1T could possibly make any difference by
whom the bills We're paid into the Treasurer's
office If the books Of that and the Auditors
office were properly kept.
The ordinance requires all rents 10 be paid
on or before the 10th of each month
After being in Office for some months be
gan 10 notice that the delinquent list was IN
usually and unnecessarily large and so |
started the practice Of going 10 each Of the
renters on the 10th of the month in order To-
remind them that II was the last dav for them
70 settle If they wished 10 escape the penalty
Some OF them would be very busy and
would request me, as | had 70 20 20 the Citv
Hall anyhow, please 10 take their money
iown 70 the treasurer, which as a matter
purely of accommodation | mould A.