The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-10-20

avery Discussioh-Mr' bnckner De-
nounces the Report and Has, Hot
Words With nIrsCamp-The Report
Tabled--Routine Business Transacted.
7 The principal feature. of the Council
meeting last night was the presentation
OF minority report by Mr.. Camp, q
member of the investigating committee.
and the discussion incident thereto.
Council was proceeding along in it's
regular routine until, under the head of
reports of COMMITTEES, Mr.. Camp offered
the following as minority report:
"To the City Council OF Roanoke:
The undersigno d, me mber of the com
mittee appointed by your body charged
with the investigation of the police or
ganization, and later with enlarged
powers to pursue the investigation to
cover the several departments of the
city government, respectfully makes
this report:
THAT from the evidence before the
committee IL was ascertained that the
chief of police, M. c. Morris, had appro-
priated large sum OF money, to wit,
$3.50, belonging to tho city of Roanoke,
ways abused the trust imposed in him
as chief OF police; 1t is therefore recon-
mended that the police commissioners
be requested to dismiss said NJ. G. Morris
from the police force of this CITY.
THAT from the evidence before the
committee it Is plain that the police
organization is not maintained to the
standard necessary for good govern
ment, and believe that the police COM
missioners are responsible for much of
the inefficiency existing. I therefore
recommend that the board of police
commissioners as body, be censured
therefore, and that as from the evidence
1t was developed that G. A. Turner, the
present chairman of the board of police
commissioners, has not discharged the
duties of his office IN the best interests
of the public, and through his neglect
and abuse of his power as q police COM
missioner he has made it possible, by
retaining M. G. Morris in office as chief
of police, the defalcation of the said Nj.
G. Morris, and has evidenced want of
that knowledge of the duties OF his
Office necessary to intelligently admin
lister tor the good of the public, that he
be requested to resign from the posi-
ton he occupies as member of the
board of police commissioners.
THAT from the evidence before the
committee it became manifest chat the
city auditor and city treasurer were
negligent in their duties in not properly
and timely comparing their books, by
which neglect it was possible for the
city's money to be retained in the hands
of city officials beyond the time pro-
vided for by the ordinances; and that
these officers are subject to censure for
the apparent neglect of their duties.
THAT from the evidence before the
said committee it was shown that the
mayor OF tho city received and retained
possession of monies belonging to the
city from the 9th of June to the cad day
of September, 1901, aggregatlng a large
amount, and neglected to turn into the
treasury, as provided by ordinance, the
same at the end of each month, and for
such neglect of q plain duty he should
be censured. And, further. he should
be required to pay to tho city the proper
interest for the use CT the said money.
And, further, it appearing from the
evidence before the said committee. that
the said mayor, while he had the entire
police force OF the city at his command,
did without sanction OF Council, appoint
detective from another city to come TO
this city, and under his directions
endeavor to suppress the illegal traffic
In liquors at an expense of $40 per day
for twenty days, aggregating 100000,
which sum of'money was paid out of the
funds of the city.
1T is recommends that the said
mayor be required to refund the said
100000 to tho city, as illegally drawn
from the treasury.
"That do not believe that the com.
mittee has fully discharged its duty,
under the enlarged powers granted to
1t, and if it discontinues the investiga.
tion as body, and confines its work to
that of an expert accountant, it will not
meet the Just expectations of the public
"All OF which is respectfully SUBJ
mitted. w. P. CAMP.
"October 10, 1901"
Mr.. Mcconnell moved that the report
be laid on the table. but before tho
motion could be put Mr.. Huff was on
his feet and reiterated his statement
made at o recent meeting of Council
that Mr.. Camp had consented to the
majority report 10 the committee room.
Mr. Bnckner recognized MI. Sheehan
as chairman, and, stepping in front of
the members. made very dramatic
speech against Mr.. Camps action. He
described how the report had been
made up in the committee room, and
said that he had been accused of white
washing Extending his arm at full
length in front of him and with his
voice quivering with passion he ex-
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