Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-13
MUST DISPROYE THE CHARGES.
Bs VIII Be Given Until Monday klSnt
March 10th, 10 Do So.
rycrrrSG SESSION LAST NIGHT
The Accused and HIS Counsei ASK
for opportunity TO Present Their
s,,.-cta,m some of the Accusa-
.o,s cannot he substantiated.

from Marshau NaIu' ""o SN"''"S N""' eNN
,,,,b having been interested in certain
corA,ct OF the gas-works. and with
,,,inc violated the ordinances Of the
clty by lending money to the employees
- the eqs-works, and taking orders upon
,beir salaries. charging not only a
,.surious. but a cruel rate of interest.
Dv q resolution adopted by the Council
q, 11a5 o'clock last night, after several
aours OF wrangling and discussion, it
was decided that the body should as
.emile on fhe night OF Monday. March
IA. for the purpose Of hearing any wit
,esses Mr. Grimes may care 10 Introduce
N his defence. and continue to meet
Every night thereafter until the Monday
following at 3 o'clock p. NJ. when the
BODY will vote upon the resolution pro-
posing TO expel Mr.. Grimes from the
Common Council.
OF course. II the Marshall-Ward mem
Der vindicates himself of the allegations
brought against him in the report and
commentators OF the special Commit
zee on Investigation Of the Affairs OF
The City Gas-House. the resolution re-
,erred to will be voted down, and Mr..
Crimes will retain his seat.
HE ASKS FOR TIME.
The session of the Common Council last
night was one of the most largely at
tended and most exciting that the lower
branch ever held. The spacious chamber
vas packed throughout the three hours
and fifteen minutes consumed in holding
the meeting. During a part of this time
the corridor in front Of the Council
chamber entrance was througed with
people, and the anteivDm was packed al
most TO suffocation Throughout tne eve
ming The discussions were of the most
spirited and earnest character During
the session Mr.. Grimes arose to speak
several times. and the entire drift of
his remarks was TO urge the Council
10 give him time and opportunity TO dis
prove the charges brought against him.
lie said more than once that there were
allegations In the report of the Commit
tee on Investigation which could not be
substantiated. and asserted that no man
could come before that body and state
that he had ever been guilty of any
crooked work in connection with the
contracts OF the city. He assured the
Council incidentally that II II was going
TO arraign him and stigmatize him for
la vfrg something TO DO with an honest
contract 1t should investigate all the
other councilmen, who, from the early
history of the Council, had had hand
In contracts with the city. He declared
II the body would make such an inquiry
as this the Council chamber would not be
LARGE enough to hold those who could be
brought before II.
Mr.. Grlmess friends In the Council did
not fOrsake MN. They were willing 10
give him time to disprove any or all
OF the allegations, although the City
Attorney made the statement that Mr..
Grimes had admitted practically that ne
had loaned money to the employees OF
the gas-works at the usurious rates OF
interest. and that he had had interest in a
contract for shells Mr.. Meredith asked
what Mr. Grimes could hope TO disprove,
and wanted TO know IL the Marshall
Wesd member wished TO rebut his own
st~Vments.
There was the llveliest interest through
out. and it is not possible TO tell yet
what action will be taken on the report
OF the special committee.
SOME OF THOSE PRESENT.
Some OF those observed in the large
throng OF spectators were Messrs. vii
liam ri. Turpin, president OF the Board
OF Aldermen: Reuben Burton. Allen
Dckerson. Moses May, George Med
Blake, William T.. Tanner. l.. j. Reeve
James Hayes. j. c. Smith, NJ j. Hagan
Hon. r. B. Murphey. James Hartley
John c. Curtis, Charles w. Fellows
Charlie Brown. William z. Knowles
Andrew Knowles, +. A. Campbell
Charles Angle Thomas Enright, Thomas
Starke Dr. W. T. Oppenhmer, William
Il Curtis John NJ. Higgins, William
Cugley John J. King, Il. NJ. Noble. r.
d. Siarke, Il. r. Snead. Joseph Nj. Shell
ton. and others.
THE BODY ASSEMBLIES.
The Council was called to orde
promptly at o'clock by Presiden
Glover who in so doing, stated tina
IN the outset he would have TO reques
that any vacant seats within the rail
iug should not be occupied by otheri
than members OF the Council. He salt
Dc wished IL to be apparent at all times
during the session just what member
were present. and thought this wa
the only way in which this could be ac
c0mplished.
Clerk August then called the roll. ant
those answering 10 their names wer
Messrs Blanks. Bloomberg, Briggs, Brock
Carter, Cottrell. Davis. Diacont, Don
leavy, Gunst, Hobson, Jackson, Mayer
LandeTkn. Lawder, Page, Trower
Woody, and President Glover
Mr. Grimes and one or two othe
councilmen entered the hall just afte
the roll-cal
The Clerk announced that the meetinl
mad been called for the purpose of con
Aderng such matters as were laid upol
the table at the last session. Marcl
lss' relating to the report OF tn
special Committee on Investigation o
ne Affairs OF the City Gas Works.
AZ this point Mr.. Gunst, chairman o
MS special committee, arose and move'
That the Council take recess for tel
minutes as there was barely quorum
present. several members having gon
out for supper. His motion prevailed.
THE REPORT TAKEN UP.
At SIS the body reconvened, and tn
other members who had come In wer
Messrs. Caskie. Epps, Ferriter. Grimes
Mcdowell, Williams. Seay and Wal
lersteln.
Mr.. Gunst moved to take from tn
table the papers relative to the repor
OF the Investigating Committee Withou
any discussion the motion was adopted
and Clerk August began reading Re
port No. OF the above COMMITTEES
which embraced the conclusions and re
concentrations OF that body. the whol
OF which has already heen nrintcd In IL,