Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-25

city Gas-W0rks at a usuriOus and cruei
rate OF interest. and taking orders upon
their salaries therefor, contrary TO the
city ordinance, Captain Wise said that
his side did n0t admit FOR one instant
that the Council had any jurisdiction IN
the matter OF punishment for Lending
money at any rate Of interest, but, IN
order to show that Mr. Grimes had not
exacted "cruel" rate OF interest.
Mr.. Meredith. the city Attorney, here
took occasion TO say that these were
not charges against Mr. Grimes put
were conclusions OF the Committee on In
vestigaton. based upon the evidence ad-
duced. As TO the right Of the Council
to say that Mr. Grimes should not lend
money at any rate Of interest he chose,
the Council had no such power II could
only expel the Marshall-Ward member
for violating the ordinances OF the city,
so far as they referred 70 members of
that body.
The city Attorney explained that the
ordinance preventing councilmen from
being interested in contracts with the
city had been passed I'm 1884, and the
testimony was confined TO the period since
then.
The first witness called along
this line was Mr.. Lewis Green.
who. being examined by Captain
Wise. said that he was employed
AT the city Gas-Works in 1898, before the
ordinance had been passed lie said he
had borrowed money from Mr. Grimes
a number of times. and owed the accused
now for borrowed money Mr.. Grimes
had never charged him any interest and
had never sought him out TO lend him
money. lie had favored witness in this
way when he could not get assistance
elsewhere. Mr.. Meredith asked the wit
ness what amounts Mr.. Grimes had loan
ed him since the passage Of the
ordnance referred 10. and the reply was
that Mr.. Grimes had let him have $40 at
one time and 50 at another.
Mr.. Nathan Whitlaw, being called, said
that he was employed at the gas-wOrks
in 1885 before the ordinance was adopted.
and began to give evidence regarding
transactions occurring at that time. but
was stopped by the City Attorney. Cap
tain Wise said he thought the defence
had a right TO examine the witness, but
Mr.. Meredith objected. saying the ques-
ton was only in regard to the A.700
loaned out by Mr.. Grimes in violation Of
the city ordinance In question, passed in
November, 1894 II would be only prying
into Mr.. Gr,mes's private business Cap
tain Wise thought such action had been
taken by the special committee when it
first looked into this matter.
THE CHAIR SUSTAINED.
President Glover did not think that
under the circumstances the evidence OF
the witness should be excluded. Mr..
Landerkin appealed from the decision OF
the Chair. but the latter was sustained
by vote of II to 9. as follows:
Ayes-Messrs. Caskie. Davis, Doneavy,
Epps, Feuiter, Griffin Lawder. Nc
Dowell, Page, Trowor. Wallerstein-u.
N0es-Messrs. Bloomberg. Briggs,
Brock, Cottrell, Gunst. Hobson, Lander
kin, Williams, Woody-9
Mr.. Whitlaw then stated that Mr..
Grimes had treated him like a brother,
had loaned him money frequently. Some
times he paid him back himself. some
times he asked Mr.. Walsh 10 pay him
the money. Sometimes he would leave
instructions 10 pay Mr.. Grimes some ad-
diuonal money as interest. He owed Mr.
Grimes money now.
Mr. Robert Jordan was the next wit
ness. While 1 was employed at the
gas-works.' he said. Il borrowed money
rom Mr.. Grimes. This was ever since
November, 1894. / went to him when L
needed money. but never gave him any
order. except once or twice. when j first
commenced borrowing money | believe
/ have paid him per cent. and some
times as high as 10 per cent, when /
owed him for a long time. l believe /
have let II 20 on as long as twelve months
at time. owe him money now, but
he never asked me to pay it,"
AS MUCH AS 10 PER CENT.
on being cross-examined by Mr.. Mere
dith. the witness said: II have paid as
much as 10 per cent. interest per month,
and frequently / would pay the money
back at the end OF the month. Since
November, 1894. 1 have given no written
order bat left instructions at the Office
TO refund the money, with the interest, to
MIR. Crimes"
MIR. j. J. Childress, who WAS last en-
piOyed at the gas-wOrks in June. 1885.
testified substantially as follows: Il have
borrowed money from Mr.. Grimes since
November, 1895. The money was loaned al
my request, On several occasions he re-
fused me. / gave him an order once,
but l do not think since 1894 He never
asked me for IL. / authorized him 10
collect the money at the Office from my
pay At different times he also collected
interest: on one occasion | borrowed $50,
and told him TO collect S22. i considered
ne did me a favor. L have been dealing
with Mr.. Crimes for fifteen or eighteef
gears, and always found him TO be very
kind. ! think / owed him once money for
neatly wv N'dlo N4ANOul pdSluS MN any
interest. l do not owe him any now"
CHARACTER TESTIMONY.
Captain Wise then announced that he
desired 10 introduce witnesses as TO the
character of Mr.. Grimes.
Co.onel Morton Marye, the Auditor Of
Public Accounts, was first called. He
said: II have been Auditor for twelve
years. and been elected by the Legisla-
ture seven times. l appointed Mr.. Grimes
when / first went into office. He was
first the messenger OF the basement offices.
He had charge Of all the financial papers
of the office During the first year of my
administration a good deal of money
passed through his hands ] know him
very thoroughly and / have esteemed
him very highly as a loyal man. l never
heard an improper sentiment from him I'm
my life. ] would believe him as soon as
/ would anybody in the world L never
heard him prevarcato or hesitate about
anything. He is not an educated man.
but has some very good qualities"
Captain Wise hero stated that Mr.
Grimes had not expected 10 reach this
last stage OF his evidence so soon, and
several witnesses whom he desired TO
introduce had not yet been summoned.
He. therefore, asked for an adjournment
until tonight. when he thought the entire
case would be completed.
on motion OF Mr.. BloOmberg, the Coun-
ell then adjourned until tonight at
O'Clock.
BARTON MAY DE IN OKLAHOMA.
4. Il.