Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-04-22

tor under the ordinances TO see thnt such
reports and books were correct. The re-
quirements made of the Auditor we're IN
tended as safeguards 10 the city and not as
inducements TO the Treasurer TO be care
less or negligent in the management of his
Office.
WITHOUT WARRANT or Law.
For many years il has been the custom
OF the Gas Inspector and Auditor, when
they thought the reasons were sufficient.
20 exercise their discretion in redating gas
bills. The ordinances give them no such
authority as they were accustomed to ex-
ercise, and what they did was without
warrant Of law. IT is, perhaps. necessary
that under proper safeguards some discre-
tion in this matter should be given to some
officer, but until it bad been given no one
was justified in assuming the authority.
FAILURES OF DUTY ON THE AUDITORS PART.
In addition TO my comment on the con-
dition and management Of the Treasurer's
office. II is but proper that / should call
your attention 10 the failure of duty on
the part Of the Auditor. II was manifestly
his duty 10 have required Of the Clerk Of
the Second Market his annual and monthly
reports, and on his failure TO render them
the Auditor should lave reported him TO the
City Council and suspended the payment
Of his salary, as the ordinance declares IL
TO be his duty 10 have done. Ifthis had been
| done he would have had the proper checks
upon that officer especially in reference 20
delinquent bills. In regard 10 his relation
TO the TreasUrer's Office IL Is the plain in
tent of the law that he should exercise
constant watchfulness over all its transac-
! tions. | think he should have been par
| ticularly careful 20 have required that the
desk books and the report Of the Trea-
surer should have been brought into his
| Office each afternoon, and that the same
should have been carefully examined by
him and that all errors should not only
have been noted for correction
by the Treasurer, but he should
! have seen that they we're corrected.
and upon any failure on the part OF
the Treasurer TO correct, after reasonable
notice. he should have reported such fail
ures to the Mavor for his action. As the
Auditor is intended TO be a check upon all
other officers charged in any manner with
the receipt. collection. or disbursement OF
the city revenues, and protection against
their delinquencies, it is especially impor-
tant that he should see that all their ac-
counts are correct and kept in the manner
prescribed by law.
NEITHER GUILTY OF wILFUL VIOLATION.
II is due TO the Auditor and Treasurer
that / should say that ! have received no
information that would warrant the con-
clusion that either of the officers have
wilfully violated the ordinances or done
anything with the design to add to their
personal gain or popularity. But their
disregard of ordinances are so numerous
and 30 serious that have felt it my duty
to present for your consideration the lnfOr-
nation above stated.
] will from time to time submit the re-
suits of my examination into the condl-
ton of the different departments, with
such recommendations as the lnvestiga-
ton may suggest to be necessary.
ISignedl j. TAYLOR ELLYsoF, Mayor.
Heard with Interest and Briefly Dis
cussed.
The reading of the report was listened TO
with marked attention, many of the coun-
cilmen drawing closer TO the Clerks desk
and leaning forward as if afraid OF missing
a word
When the entire document had been
read Mr. Capers moved that the message
and its accompanying schedules be re-
ceived and filed.
Mr.. James +. Gray said he approved of
the MAYORS message in every respect, but
added that he thought the Mayor, too, had
been derclict in his duty according TO the
charter, as he was supposed to have exer-
cised a supervision over all the city offices.
He had been Mayor for nearly three years
and vet had never done this until the
present time.
EXPRESS no OPINION.
Mr.. Turpir SAID: II would beg the
Council with perfect respect not TO express
any opinion finally which relates to Mr..
Grimes. When man is under indictment
| don't think this body ought to hastily
exnrcss anv opinion, / would sooner cut
nv right hand off. So far as the Treasurer
and Auditor are concerned / don't care
ANYTHING about them, but Grymes has TO
face a charge of felouy. Give him chance.
move that the message and schedules be
printed"
Mr.. Glover did not think it necessary to
take any action about Mr.. Grymes and
moved that the report be laid on the Ia
bic.
MIR. Turpin: "If we are going to take
anv action at all we ought to PRINT It. l
withdraw my motion unless we are going
to take some action.
Mr.. Courtney insisted upon the motion
of MIR. Glover, which the latter had with
drawn, and subsequently MIR. Glover as a
substitute moved that the message be re-
ceived and filed.
WANTED TO TABLE.
Mr.. Hargrove moved that the report be
laid upon the table, so 1t could he taken
up at anv time when wanted.
Mr.. Capers said that this would be dis
courteous to the Mayor, and advocated
his motion that the message, including the
schedule. be received and filed.
MIR. Bowden thought there would be no
discourtesy to the Mayor to lay the matter
on the table, as the Mayor stated IN his
message that he would report further con
cerning the investigation from time to
time. q, n,
Colonel Cary said he agreed with Mr..
| Capers III thinking it would be discour-
| tesv to Mayor Ellyson to lay the report
upon the table.
MIR. Stratton said if the motion to re-
ceiye and file was carried some member
| would have to take it up and offer 1t as an
| individual matter from himself.
MIR. Campbell moved that the message
be laid ON the table and printed.
LET JUSTICE BE DONE.
Mr.. Glover: Il don't agree with Mr..
| Campbell on this account. | have very
| little acouaintance with Mr.. Childrey, but
| | want Justice done. We ought not to let
| II 90 before the public as if there was
something behind il. Mr.. Grymes IS IN
| tbe hands of the law, and Mr.. Ellyson has
saId that he found nothing TO even init
mate that either Mr.. Turpin or MIR. Chll-
drey had done anything looking either to
| their personal gain or popularity.
| Il came here tonight" continued MT.
| Glover. with my mind made up that II
there was anything against Mr. Chlldrey
| would condemn him as quickly as any
| hody. but there Is not a line IN that paper
! TO eliminate him. hope this body VIII re-
| ceive and file that message II we propose
| To yindicate Mr.. Childrey."
Mr.. Campbell withdrew his motion to
lay on the table and print.
VOTED DOWN.
The vote was taken on Mr.. Hargroye's
motion to lay on the table and resulted as
| follows:
| AyEs.-Messrs. Bowden, Hargrove, Brauer,
Christian, Courtney, Ferriter, stratton' ana
! ThOn-S. ~, o.. roso,h
| W. carter, Cary, Crenshaw, Davis, Dickersoh'
| GRAY. Hughes Jeter, Taylor, Brander, camp
| SeI' IL, l. Carter, Carneal, Diacont Fergusson'
| Gaines, Glover, Grimes, Houston, jackson,
| Iayne, Mann, CARRIER, Page, Steel Trower' ana
| w. l. White-30.
Mr. Turpin was excused from voting.
MIR. Courtney's proposition to PRINT was
also voted down. and the original mo-
fion TO receive and file as offered by Mr.
Capers was adopted.
eRYMEs RELEASED ON BAIL.