Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-19
SIMPLY HAD VERTIGO
THIS THE DEFENCE MADE BY
ENGINEER CALDER.
CHARGE AGAINST HIM INVESTIGATED
Many witnesses Testify ne TO
whether He Was Intoxicated ON
EIection-Day-The Committee Dis
misses the Charge.

The Committee on Grounds and Build
Ings met at the City Hall yesterday eve
ming. ana after transacting regular busi-
ness went into the investigation of the
charge Of intoxication made against En-
gineer Calder. Of the City Hall, by Cap
tain Brock, a member of the committee.
The charge was not sustained, and the
case dismissed.
Captain Brock had been Informed by
Fireman Morris, of the City-Han force.
that the Engineer was under the influence
Of liquor on election-day. and Mr.. Morris
deemed it his duty to report the matter.
Mr. Calder introduced witnesses to show
that be was not intoxicated on duty,
and that he was victim of vertigo. Mr..
II. NJ. Smith, Jr., represented Mr.. Calder.
who was too deaf to protect his own in
terests properly.
THE EVENINGS ROUTINE.
The committee was late in assembling,
end at 7:2O O'Clock, in the absence OF
Chairman Mark Gunst, Sub-Chairman
John NJ King called the meeting to or
der. The following members were pres
ent: Messrs. Blanks, c. r. Noble, Law
Routine business was first taken up. A
request from the Committee on Gene
tories for 1000 plants and two dozen
trees for lakewood Cemetery was granted
The clerk reported receipts from prlVl-
leges at the parks, and then the pay
roll and bills for the month. The com
mittee approved the report and ordered
the bills 10 be paid.
Colonel Cutshaw reported that the pens
I'm the elevators I'm the City Hall needed
repairs, and that Superintendent Thomp-
son of the Fire-Alarm Department, would
fix them If the committee would pay Ior
the goods needed, to cost ST. The COM
mittee agreed TO this.
Colonel Cutshaw reported that ne had
a number OF sewer maps, and needed
case TO hold them. The committee or
dered one for the office.
The city Engineer was authorized 10
continue the transplanting Of trees and
other improvements at parks. Colonei
Cutsbaw said that there were ample
funds.
THE CALDER CHARGES.
This completed the regular business OF
The meeting. and the charges against Mr..
A c. Calder, the Engineer and Machinlst
Of the City Hall, for being intoxicated
while on duty, were taken up.
Mr. Blanks stated that Mr.. III. M.
Smith. Jr.. would like 10 appear as
friend of Mr.. Calder.
CAPTAIN Brock said II Mr.. Smith was
20 appear as an attorney, he would like
10 have the City Attorney present. Mr..
Smith said he appeared as friend. Mr..
Calder was very deaf, and wanted some
friend TO represent him.
Just now he asked me what the COM
mittee was talking about" said MT.
Smith.
III there IS no objection" said the
chairman. "Mr. Smith will be allowed 10
represent his friend"
The case was then gone into. Mr.. AL
bert Gionatti, one Of the elevator men,
said he had seen the accused on the day
In question in the basement, and he APP
peared 10 be drunk but IS minutes later
when he saw him, he looked like a sober
man.
Messrs. Albert Gionetu, ]. H. Baker.
Joseph Firth. James Disney. William
Toler. and William Morris, City Hall
employees. were introduced as witnesses
also and their evidence was TO the effect
that on the "a OF November Mr.. Calder
came on duty about 40 o'clock in the
afternoon and took a seat In chair
near the enRine-room. lie appeared 10
nave been drinking, Dut lew niiutOo
later he was seen walking about the hall.
and an hour or two later was attending
20 his duties. Ii developed that Mr..
Morris was the man who had repeated
20 Captain Brock that Mr.. Calder was
Intoxicated, and II was upon this report
that Captain Brock brought the matter
10 the attention OF the committee.
FOR THE DEFENCE.
Witnesses for Mr.. Calder We're then In
troduced. Mr.. Adam stephen. of the
Fire Alarm. told how the Engineer had
come 10 his Office, borrowed monkey
wrench and later returned. He was
certainly sober.
Gas-Fnspector Joseph NJ. Shelton testi-
fed that he went after Mr., Calder about
O'Clock 20 get his assistance about the
location OF some gas-pipes. and that they
went over complicated plans together,
and Mr. Calder was sober.
Mr. oDopnell. who was present when