Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-31
CouNCILMAN JOHN r. GRIMES.
MEMBERS Of the Council be-

COUNCILMAN JOHN r. GRIMES.
gan 10 assemble IL was evident that the
majority of them had made Wy their
minds as to how they should vote. Each
representative wore a serious look, and
appeared to realize the important work
which lay before him. When Cork
August called the roll :he members voted
promptly and without hesi'aton. There
were five absentees--Mr NJ Fin Seay, Of
Clay Ward. who was detained owing TO
the serious illness OF his aged mother.
and Councilmen Morton De4ns. BenJa-
min Jackson. j. r.. Griffin, and William y.
Smith. the four colored members frcm
Jackson Ward.
CLAY WARD FOR EXPULSION.
A noticeable feature Of the proceedings
was that the delegation from Clay Ward
voted solidly for expulsion, and then.
when the resolution to censure Mr..
Grimes came up for passage. thsy cast
their ballots solidly against IL. ono cf TIE
members explaining that they could not
vote for a measure which stated that IL
was the sentiment of this body that afr.
Grimes be censured. when sixteen out or
twenty-four members OF the Council hac
said that he should be expelled"
While the Clay-Ward representatives
took this attitude, four of the members
from Jefferson Ward took ths opposite
side equally as strongly They felt that
Mr. Grimes merised punishment, put not
the extreme degree. They stood hrst and
last for a reprimand. The members rom
Marshall Ward. Mr.. Grimes's colleagues
were divided, two OF them voting Tor ex-
pulsion, and the other two being In favor
OF a vote OF censure.
The session was a very exciting one,
and II was feared by some that thers
N
apprehsnsIon, President Glover before
calling the Council to order. directed the
Sergeant-at-Arms, Mr.. X. r. Ralston. 10
call m CAPTAIN Angle, OF the second Po-
lice District, and request him 10 send an
oCscer 10 the Council Chamber In few
minutes Sergeant Robert Brooks and oin-
Ger Marion Sutton were oceupying con.
venient positions within the railing or tho
chamber.
MEMBERS SLOW COMING IN.
When the hands on the big electric
clock % the Council chamber pointed 20
the hour OF President Glover brought
down his gavei convening the Common
councu. There was not then quorum
OF the members present and recess
Tor fifteen minutes was taken. The body
was again called 20 order at SIS, and
tho following councllmen answered 10 the
roll-call: Messrs. Glover 0presidenos
Blanks. Hloomberg. Briggs, Brock
Caskie, Cottrell. Davis. Diaconf. DOM
leavy. Epps, Ferriter. Crimes. ounsts
Hobson, Landerkin. Lawder. Mayer. Me-
Dowell, Williams, Page, Trower. Waller
stein and Woody.
Mr.. Grimes was IN his accustomed seat
ana his counsel. Captain George ID. Wise
and Mr.. Il. B. Munford, were on hand
as was the City Attorney, Mr.. c. v. Neres
dith, and the lobby of the chamber ana
the ante-room were crowded with inter-
ested spectators.
City-Clerk August read the resolution
adopted two weeks ago giving Mr.. Grimes
an opportunity to bring forward testis
mony In his own behalf. and providing
that at O'Clock last night the Council
should vote upon the question OF sxpsli-
ing the Marshall Ward member from tho
body. 1t being at this point just e$Q
O'Clock. the 3Presldent asked IL tho Csun-
ell should take a recess for half an hour.
or II any member had anything 20 offss
or suggest.
Mr.. Landerkin at once arose and said
that he saw no reason Why the members
should be kept there. 50 he would Offer
a motion 70 reconsider the resolution nx-
ing the voting time at 3 o'clock.
VOTE OF CENsURE PROPOSED.
This was opposed briefly by Mr. Don.
leavy. OF Marshall Ward. who at this
juncture offered the following resolution
OF censure:
Resolved. That II is the sense Of this
body, after considering the report Of the
special committee appointed TO inyestisats
the gas-works. so far as the report
relates 70 Councilman John II. Grimes,
10 the conclusions OF the committee and
the evidence submitted BY Mr.. Grimes
In regard 10 the same.
That Councilman Grimes violated the
law In being interested In contract
made with the city and In permitting
city employees to give orders upon thsir
wages In payment OF debts due him, and
mat. because Of this conduct upcu the
part OF Councilman Grimes this bo1y
doth hereby reprimand and censurs h1ru
for the same.
MR.. GUNsr FOR ExPuLSioN
This proposition brought ar Qune1
ccoNcLupEp on EiofIrK fAdH3