The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-03-24
Counsel Submit a Lengthy Statement to
The Council in His Behalf.
THE CHARGES ARE DENIED IN PART
The Paper Admits That Mr.. Grimes was
Interested in the Shell Contraet-JurIs-
diction Denied in One Charge-Ex-
animation of Witnesses Begins

members from Marshall " ara, III ltiui"-
ton Of the charges preferred against
him as the outcome OF the Investigation
in the affairs at the City Gas-Works 10y
the especial joint committee appointed for
that purpose. The attendance was quite
large and the spectators filed up every
available space outside OF the railing,
while only members Of the two branches
Of the City Council, ox-members and
city ofiici ais were admitted 10 the door
OF the thirty members OF the C0unci
only four were absent, Messrs. CasAle
Griffin, Jackson, and Smith. the latter three
cOlOrcd representatives Of Jackson Ward.
Palicc-OfIiccr Bailey sat at the gate 10
allow only those entitled 20 the floor adj
mittance. and the watchman Of the City
Hall were also in easy reach, but not the
slightest Incident happened that suggest
ca fear Of disturbance. President GLOW
er was I'm the chair and City Clerk B. T.
August kept q record as TO the number
of witnesses examined. etc. City-Attor-
ney Charles Y. Meredith, who was on
hand, was requested at the suggestion Of
Mr. Gunst to take the Oss-cxamination
OF the witnesses IN hand, and he did 30
with his well-kn0wn ability and doxterity.
Mr.. John r. Crimes with his council,
Captain George ID. Wise and Mr. Is. -.
Munford. occupied seats Immediately I'm
front of the double semi-clrcle of the
councilmen, and a largc quota Of tho
members Of the Board Of Aldermen was
also on hand.
After the usual formaliHes had been dis
posed Of Hon. Il. b. Munford started the
proceedings by reading 4 statement Of
The case as viewed by Mr.. Grimes and his
counsel. 1t was a-mastelpiece OF logic,
oratory and argument we'll worthy OF such
eminent counsel but the city Attorney
characterized IT ass only an argument
which presented enc side Of the case.
When the examination of witnesses wa.5
gono into. Messrs. Carl Reynolds. e. w.
Samuols and Robert Kennedy three en-
ployes Of the Gas-Works, were called. and
testified.
Captain John a. Curtis who. on two oc-
casions purchased oyster shells for the
city at the request Of Superintendent
Adams told the Council all about the de-
talls OF his transactions, and after Mr..
il. b. B0ular had given some informa-
ton desired on various points. Mr.. Grimes
took the stand to tell his fellow-mombcrs
OF the Council all ne knew cbout the pur-
CHASING of oyster shells, which. 10y the
way, was the only subject under examina-
tion last night.
There were but few questions asked bv
members Of the Council, and the only
discussion INDUCED in by the latter took
place. when Mr.. Grimes council asked
70 postpone the examination until to-rnor-
TO" meht' but motion 10 that effect
was lost by one vote. The examination
WILL therefore, be resumed tonight.
THE SESSION OPENS.
Promptly at s o'clock last night Prosi.
dent Glover called the Council 10 order
ana when city Clerk Ben II. August called
the roll the following members answered
10 their names: Messrs Blanks Brock
Davis Deane Diacont, Don Ieavv
Grimes, Gunst, Hobson. LanderLfn Tao.
der, Williams. Page, Wanersteiu. Wool,
ana President Glover There was iust
quorum present, and hIr Gunsf. Who
sald he desired a fun meeting. moved
tNat "a iesess be taken Tor ten minutes.
III oiaer 10 await the arrival Of additional
members. This was agreed 10.
Al N:l' o'clock the roll was again called.
when Messrs. Bioomberg. Briggs. Cottreu
FefFiter and Trowcr answered 10 their
names IN addition 10 the former mem
bers
clerk August then read the resolution
unueI which the Common Council had
met TO hear the evidence
ON motion of Mr.. Gunst. CITY Atforne,,
Charles v Meredith was iivited 10 par
uclpate IN the examination Of the wit.
nesses 10 be produced by the defence.
when questioned by Mr. Gunst. counsel
Tor defence announced that their Wit
ncsses would be examined under oath
Hon. b. B. Munford. of counsel for
Councilman John IL. Grimes. then arose
in his seat, and ia addressing the Coupc1 |
ne stated that IL had been deemed best. |
on behalf of Mr.. Grimes, 10 submit u |
statement. I'm prefacing the same Alr. |
Munf0rd said
Mr.. President, We appear here before |
this Council tonight. not only as counsel |
but also as friends Of Mr.. Grimes. and |
besides, as citizens Of Richmond icalouelv !
watching her interests. and % see that |
men who break her ordinances shall De /
brought 20 justice. These ordinances |
cannot be violated without detriment 10 /
the public veal, and j need not refer |
TO the fact that this city was outraged |
by the discovery of The state Of affairs |
which then prevailed at the CITY Gas !
Works. As we pass here on this subject. |
Jet ms be mindful of the fact that as MIR !
Grimes is the only person whom the
Council can deal with. except by the |
assistance OF the courts the great dan
ger is that the Council in its efforts TO |
vndicate itself and the law will say. !
we cannot reach Adams, nor can We reach
the others, but We can reach Grimes,
who is "a member of this body, and we
therefore visit upon him the punishment
in our power by eXpeling him.
MR.. GRIMES POSITION.
Mr.. Munford then read the following |
statement. and while he did so. Messrs |
Carter, Mcdowell. Seay, ana Epps en-
tered the Council Chamber.
Ii has been thought proper in view Of
the investigation upon which we are about
TO enter. that some brief statement should
be made of the position OF alr. Grimes
with reference 10 the charges which have
been preferred against him. and l have
been selected TO discharge this duty.
In the first place. while my associates
and myself appear as counsel for Mr.
Grimes. yet we desire 10 state in the out
set that we are not one whit less mindful
of the Importance Of maintaining the fair
name of our city and Of netting out 10 |
ment commensurate with their offences.
han are the members OF this honorable
body before whom we appear.
Violations OF the city ordinances can
rot be permitted to pass unchaiianged; are
1erelctions OF duty on the part of those
occupying high positions in the govern
nent Of the city cannot be condoned with
,ut inviting their repetition and lowering
he standard Of official responsibility ana
luty.
But while this Is true. Il is also true
hat this body should not bring upon one
Df its members the odium and disgrace OF
expulsion unless the offence with which
he stands charged has been established,
md Is of such heinous character as