Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-07-20

would do the work properly. To turn
him out would rob his family OF support
and cast reproach upon his good name.
Mr. Murphy expressed his satisfaction
OF having received this information from
Mr.. Meredith, and said he thought the
best decision OF the entire question would
be 10 retain both gentlemen. and let SUI
perlntendent Knowles decide whether
either OF them was incompetent or dis
honest.
Mr. Wallerstein said, while he would
never vote 10 retain Mr. Meredith as
book-keeper, on account Of his incompe-
tency. he would be glad 10 assist him In
securing another position. or. IL possible,
rearrange matters and provide for him.
Mr. Murphy desired TO know from Mr.
H. Il. Boudar whether he considered Mr..
Meredith a competent book-keeper. That
gentleman stated In detail the condi-
lion in which he found the books. and
said an examination of them would con-
vince any one OF the incompetency or Mr..
Meredith as book-keeper
Mr. Branch said that the whole question
narrowed down TO the manner IN which
the two gentlemen had performed their
duties. IL one man was 10 be cleared
the other should be treated In the same
manner. II would be unjust TO put the
entire burden upon Mr.. Meredith
MIR. HNOWLESS VIEWS.
The question was asked by MIR. Branch
of Mr. Knowles whether MIR. Walsh
was competent TO fll his position. Mr.
Davis moved that Mr. Noble and Mr.
Knowles be heard, the former having
raised the same question In the commit
tee. The motion prevailed. Mr.. Knowles
stated that when the Council elected him
Superintendent of the Gas-Works he
made up his mind that while he held that
office every one in the department should
do his duty. lie expected 10 run the de-
psrtment on business principles and In
the interest Of the taxpayers. He had
not promised any man TO retain him,
and he was only waiting Tor
the completion of this investigation.
Mr.. Walsh had TO do his duty like
everybody else. and n had done II thus
far AS long as the speaker was Superin-
tendent and held responsible for the de-
partment he expected to run IL TO the
best interest OF the city.
Alderman Mobiles stated that this state
ment was practically the same which Mr..
Knowles made In reply TO his questions
before the committee When questioned
by Mr.. Branch AIR. Knowles said that
when he took charge of the department
he did not find any part Of the gas
works I'm satisfactory condition. In re-
ply to a question put by Mr.. Wallerstein
he said during a recent visit OF the COM
mittee at the lower works MIR. Walsh,
himself made n number of suggestions
looking TO improvements in the manage
ment of the works.
THE REPORT Is ADOPTED.
The motion OF Mr.. Davis to lay the
entire matter on the table was lost by
the following vote:
Ayes-Messrs Brock. Davis. Ferrlter,
Gunst, and Lawder-5.
Noes-Messrs. Briggs, Branch, Cottrell,
Deane Diacont. Epps, Griffin, Grimes,
! Hobson. Jackson. Landerkln, Mayer, Muir
ply. Wallerstein, Woody and Gloyer-l6.
Mr.. Gunst next moved to refer the en-
tire matter to a special joint committee,
consisting Of three members Of the Com
mon Council and two members of the
Board of Aldermen. Mr.. Wallerstein OPP
posed the motion, which was advocated
by Messrs. Gunst and Davis, and it was
finally lost.
The vote then came up on Mr..
Branch's substitute for the second Sec
ton Of the original ordinance. which
provided for the dismissal Of Mr.. Walsh
as well as that OF Mr.. Meredith, 1t was
lost by the following vote;
Ayes-Messrs. Briggs. Brock, branch,
Cottrell. Dean, Ferriter, Gunst, and
GlOver-S
Noes-Messrs. Davis, Diacont. EppS,
| Griffin, Grimes. Hobson. Jackson, Ian
! derkin Lawder Mayer, Murphy, Wal
| lerstein, and Woody-l3.
The original report, providing for the
! dismissal OF the book-keeper oAlr. Mere
! dnh). was adopted BY the following vote:
! Ayes-Messrs Briggs. Davis, Deane,
Ferrter. Griffin, Grimes. Hohson. Jack
son. I.anderkin. Mayer, Murphy, Waller
stein, Woody Glover-li.
Noes-Messrs. Brock, Branch, Cottrell,
Diacont. Epps. Gunst, and Lawder-7.
The Common Council then adjourned,
and the matter will come before the
Board Of Aldermen Monday night.