Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-09-25
TAKE THE MEN BACK
srrnrNcmMENr COMMITTEE AD-
yisEs THAT THIS BE DONE.
81 UlD IOT HAYE BEEN DlSkISSED.
nr. 0ppcnhimer Criticised for Act
ing without Inguiring Into the
Tacts-Men worked at Polls when
Va,d by the city.

I.lU ny 'ht ivy
ra- tac first time in several months
tt. council Committee on Retrenchmont
,.I form met last r.ght 1t was one
a. .he stormiest and most unpleasant
sessions that the body has ever held.
ms meeting was for the purpose OF
con lering the complaint OF FIVE ex-
members OF the health force. who con-
teul that they were improperly dis
charged. After several hours had been
Eent hearing testimony the commit
Gee went into executive session and for
ul.ated its report to the Council.
The committee met promptly at S
O'clock. There were present sub-Chair-
pan Rountree, and Messrs. Noble, Jones,
UaTelson, j. J. King, and Ebel. DIR.
W T. Oppenhimer. president Of the
board OF Health; Sanitary-Onicer Wal
ton. and Policeman y. NJ. Angle. whose
names had been connected with the in
ystigatlon, were also on hand.
After Clerk Mcdowell had read the
clll for the meeting the body began the
hearing Of evidence in the case, the
nature OF which has already been pub
Iished in the Dispatch. IT was alleged
hat Messrs. Ford Johnson, Branch.
Kennedy and Cole bad been interested
To. or cognizant Of a movement to have
sanitary-Omcer Walton removed and
Mr. Angle given his place in the Health
department. Mr. John c. Branch was
u-ffn 10
that ne was discharged by Mr. Walton
some weeks ago for participation in n
meeting at the City Han. the object OF
which was his CWalton's) removal as
Sanitary Inspector. Mr.. Branch said
that ne and two other members Of the
Health Department met accidentally at
ne City Hall on the day named, and that
.he matter Of a sanitary officer was not
mentioned by either one Of them.
DID NOT SEE THE CHIEF.
Mr. r. H. Ford made statement as
.o his dismissal. saying that he had not
been to see the Chief Of Police or any
lue else I'm connection with Mr.. Walton's
-emoyal. and giving the details Of his
)wu discharge from the health force.
The next witness was Mr.. }. +. John
con. who also said that he had been dis
harccd from the force without cause.
officer Holdcraft was a nice man, and
hat this statement was assigned by
Mr Walton as one of the reasons why
le had been dismissed. lie had never
leard of the alleged meeting at the
'ity Hall until Mr.. Walton spoke 10
aim about it. Witness added that he
lad been on the health force for five
5ears and was more recently foreman Of
ais gang.
Being asked by Mr.. King If he knew
anything OF AIr. Walton having private
work done by members Of the Health
Department. Mr.. Johnson said that Mr..
Walton had. on one occasion. had some
filing in done under his house by en-
ployccs Of the health force.
do YOU know of any members OF the
Health Department being engaged at the
polls on clCction-dayY asked Mr. King.
81 have heard of that sort of thing
but have no personal knowledge Of it,"
was the reply Of the witness. Mr.. John
son said he had heard that some mem
bcrs Of the force were at work at the
polls in the interest of a certain can
didate for the Council, and that they
were sent there by Dr. Oppenhimer one
Of the men who had worked in this way
was dead but others were living. Mr..
Harry Angle was one and q Mr. Car
doua was another. while Mr. Clifton
Edwards was still another.
Being asked II ne ever done any work
on Mr.. Watons property the witness
said that he had not.
SENT TO POLLS TO WORK.
Mr.. c. Kennedy. who was also dis
charged from the force at the instance
OF Omcer Walton testified that he knew
nothing about the alleged City Hall meet
ing. on one occasion he sent to Mt.
WaltOn's house by his order two or three
Jacks TO raise his residence, and some
plank and Tin. belonging to the city. Wit
ness said that ne had heard that some
members of the force would not come
before the Committee on Retrenchment
and Reform because they were afaid
they would be discharged. Mr. King
asked Mr. Kennedy if he had ever heard
OF any members Of the Health Depart
ment being sent TO the polls on election
day and working in the interest Of any
candidate for the Council.
eyes. sir" said the witness, 81 was sent
there myself once by DR. Oppenhimer He
wanted me 10 work for Mr.. Boykin, who
was % candidate for the Council at that
time" Mr. Kennedy, in reply TO ques-
tions. said that he was paid upon that
occasion by the city. The man who
then made up his time was now dead.
"Were YOU instructed 10 work against
any one especially on the day YOU were
sent 10 the polsG" asked Mr.. King.
eyes. sir: 1 was told TO scratch Captain
King. for one" laconicaly replied the
witness.
Air Ford testified that he knew
nothing about the movement to call upon
Major Howard in the interest OF the re-
rnoval Of Mr. Walton lie was sent to
the polls 10 work for Mr. Boykin once by
Or Orpenhmer. and was paid by the
CITY. The witness would not like to say
whether he was instructed as 10 having
any one scratched.
WHAT OFFICER ANGLE SAID.
Mr.. cole. who admitted before the
Committee on Health that ne had been
told by Nj Angle that II some of the
men would see Major Howard On would
get him in the place of Mr.. Walton for
their boss. was next called and he stated
that Alr. Angle had made such a remark
To him, and that me had repeated IL 10
the gang He had not however. gone
90 see the Chief-of-Police about the mat
ter. The witness said he knew nothing
Of any work ON Mr. Walton's property.
II had often heard" said Mr.. Cole, that
dirt removed from The streets was dump
ed 90 convenient places but 1 don't know
anything about that matter"
The next person TO appear before the
committee was Policeman Angle. who
explained the incidents in connection
with his service as sanitary officer du-
ring the vacation Of Mr Walton this
summer. He said one Of the men asked
him how DC would like 10 have Mr..
Walton's place. and replied that he was
willing TO serve wherever Major How
sri assigned MIN. Further than this,