The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-07-16
THE CITY INVESTIGATIONS.
The Gas Works Almshouss, and James
River improvement.
POWERS OF The LIGHT CCAAlEIEE.
Have They the Right Of Removai' '''o
AImshouse Affair Nothing Dishoh-
est Develops But the Books
are Kept i'm IA Loose Man
ner-Mr. Carriers
Office.

journed meeting in room No. L OF the
CITY Hall yesterday afternoon TO con-
tinue the investigation into the affairs OF
the city Gas Works. The following MEM
hers of the committee were present:
Nessrs. Grimes (charmam. Branch.
Davis. Hardwicke, Noble. Starke, and
Wallersteln. Mr. Caskie was reported to
he out Of town. and Mr. Vaughan was
confined to his home by sickness.
city Attorney {. V. Meredith. Mr.. II.
-. Boudar. the expert accountant, anu
Foreman Thomas }. Walsh and B0okkeep-
er j. +. Meredith were also on hand.
Besides. there We're quite a number or
more or less Interested spectators IN at
tendance, who followed the proceedings
with undivided attention.
MIR. Noble and Mr. Davis made state
ments as 10 their absence at the last
meeting, which they thought would take
place at different hour Both gentle
men desired to know from Mr.. Boudar
whether the books Of the Gas Works
had been properly balanced before, and
they were informed that this had been
done with the ledger, but not with the
cash book.
Mr.. Starke here moved that the Mayor
be officially notified Of the supposed de-
falcatiOn. and that ne be furnished with
all the papers IN the case. including the
report OF lif subcommittee anu AiidA "
the expert accountant.
THE CITY ATTORNEYS STATEMENT.
The CITY Attorney. who was then asked
as TO the powers Of the committee, stated
that he was not prepared 10 give
definite answer at that time. he had
been asked TO be present at the meeting,
but ne had not been informed as TO che
question that would be asked. In July.
1894 he had been asked by Mr.. Davis
for an opinion as TO the powers OF the
committee in appointing those VINO work
i'm the Gas Works. and he had then stated
that this power was centered IN the
Superintendent. However, be had never
been asked any direct question In refer
ence TO the appointment OF salarled OIL
GERS Of the department, and he was not
prepared at this time To decide that
question. lie could say only that the
committee had a perfect right 10 continue
the investigation If that body could
appoint the officials I'm question, II would
certainly also have the right 10 discharge
them. hut II did not have the power or
bringing "A suit. This could only be done
by the order OF the Council
Mr. Branch said the committee had un-
dOubtedly the right Of continuing the IN
VcstlgatiOn. and 10 should not shlrn that
Air. Meredith remarked that while the
committee had this power, the question
should be whether the city az laise
would be satisfied with such acuOu, OF
whether IL would be more desiranie 10
have the Mayor or "a special committee
do this work. There was no question: az
10 the power of the Mayor 10 remove
Sir. Siarke Thought IL might be doubt
ful whether the committee na1 me
mower of removal. and II this was iot
the case this entire work would be done
SIR. Meredith said that there was no
mention made .u the city orIluahc IS OF
any power of the committee or dppoiil1-
ing other officials than the gas Inspector
his assistants and the bill clerk
Mr.. Branch moved that this inyestRa-
ton bee adjourned until Mr.. Meiedith
could present his opinion.
Mr. Meredith stated that II TINS wa"
done. the committee did. by 10 means
shir< lfs duty. and he suggested refer
ence of the matter 10 the Mayor 'ii.iN-
ing that the public would bee better satls-
fled. 1900
The vote on Mr.. Starke's motion was
then flkon. which was as follows.
Ayes-Messrs. Davis. arwi Ike Starke'
N,o,cs-Nessrs. Branch Noble, Waller
stems.
MIGHT End THE INVESTIGATION.
FIR. Wall.rstcin stated before the result
OF the NOT" was announced, lhaL no
had voted against the notion because
he fra,ed that its adoption wOIli reseli
in the ending of the lnvcstig in)l or inc
affairs Of the department. WINE oihgi
wise some other improvements hiis"-
Mr.. Branch said the committee bad been
condemned lu the past for us auebch ih-
activity. and be- therefore tho isnt l"ul
il was time 90 do something and To 20
Air. Davis remarked that there seemed
10 bee some impression that me- WiLtru
20 shlrk his duty and DE hfreiofe dt-
siiod 10 change bis vote. Mr.. SlaiNe
motion was then declared lost ,....-
b. IH.I|IF Al
uey be asked TO give am opinion ds TO
the power OF the committee IN feleirhtr
to the appointment and removal or tnese
officers. Agreed 10. ,.......
Mr. noble moved that an adjournment
be taken until tomorrow aittrnoon' az
3 O'Clock. I'm order 10 obtain this opinion
but Mr. Davis moved 10 proeerl WIN
the investigation. and the latter motion
Mr. Meredith here stated that c vas
his duty 20 say. as public oilicer' ina
the public was Interested in this intetll-
cation. but that the WORK Wo ili pi
more effectively carried out II thiS was
done with closed doors.
Mr.. Davis said that he was posiutely
against any secret proceedings ana th"t
he would not vote for any such mo-
Mr. Meredith sail that the committee
had asked him 20 manage the case Tor
the city. but II this was done with open
doors he would have his hands exposed
while he would nave no llch tl WHAT liN
other side was going 10 10. such pro-
ceoding was certainly not the proper
manner Of managing private business ar
fairs. He stood ready 10 help the com
munity. but he did not want 10 SATISFY
public curiosity.
AZ EXECUTIVE SESSION.
Mr.. Noble expressed similar views as
Mr.. Davis. and Mr.. Branch said that no
now information could be given out dur
ing the continuation OF the in"estiSa-
lion because an the facts had already
been made known. He would, therefore,
vote in favor OF holding the investigation
with open doors.
Mr.. Wallerstein thought the commit
tee should take the advice OF the city
Attorney. who was 10 render MS legal
assistance I'm the matter
The motion 10 continue the inVestlga-
tiOu with closed doors was then carried,
only Messrs Branch. Davis. and Noble
voting against H. The spectators and
representatives OF the press were then
invited tO leave
The committee then continued IT'S secret
session until 8 T. NJ. and the larger part
OF the meeting was taken up by the ques-
tioning OF Mr. j. +. Meredith. the book
keeper An adjournment was nnaly taken
until tomorrow al L. VI.