Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-02
THE SESSION LIVELY.
BREEZY MEETING OF GROUNDS AND
BUILDINGS COMMITTEE.
AN INVESTIGATION RECOMMENDED.
Rumors ms to Dereliction of Duty
on the Part of Night Watchman
Path of Harmony.

/ DfeeZe tHdI IuIleu the uSudAy PioSiu ~,
face of the routine of the Grounds and
Buildings Committee.
That body assembled to elect the engf-
| neers, firemen, janitors. and elevator-men
OF the building, all of whom had been
nominated by the caucus several days ago.
| and the excitement was due to certain
vague and indefinite rumors affecting one
of the candidates.
The meeting was called to order, with
Messrs. Gunst, Briggs. snead, Noble,
| Iawder, Brock, and Neal present MT.
Ben T. August, the City Clerk, appeared
before the committee and asked that some
arrangements might be made for heating
his Office on holidays, as his duties are
| so exacting that he is rarely able to take
advantage Of the red-letter days. He
suggested that a gas-stove might be pur-
chased for his Office, and his request was
referred to the City Engineer.
NEEDS DOUBLE AS MUCH
Colonel Cutshaw made a statement as
to the amount of money expended by the
committee during the past year, and sub
mitted a tabulated report of the needs OF
the department. The total spent was $780,,
623.OG-$11 ,626.H for improvements and SlS,-
1866 for payroll. The needs of the de-
partment, he said, were $50. 666.54 for cur
rent expenses, and 81. $3.50 for needed i'm
provements, making a total Of S6OSl.H.
After some discussion this report was or
dered to be submitted to the Finance
Committee. Colonel Cutshaw stated fur
ther that there was a balance in the
treasury TO the credit OF the department
at the present time of SELL, but that this
amount was rather more than 81 short OF
the sum needed to meet the park hands
payroll. and on motion IL was decided to
divide the money between the hands, pro
rata.
1t was further moved that Mr.. Berry,
one Of the assistant engineers, should be
paid for the time that he was absent from
his work last month through sickness.
The engineer had been reported as absent
without leave, but Mr.. Berry made
statement TO the effect that he had sent
his little girl with the news OF his inds-
position TO the fireman. who had failed TO
deliver the message. Mr.. Gunst advocated
the payment OF the claim, and Mr.. Brock
made a motion 10 that effect. venturing
the remark that If 1t had been any one
else Engineer Calder would not have
made a kick upon it," The motion pre-
vailed.
COLONEL CUTSHAW'S STATEMENT,
then taken up. and Colonel Cutshaw rose
to make a statement. He said that the
Dispatch had contained report OF an In
vestigation which had been begun IN his
office as to some apparent negligence on
the part of some one or other OF the
Halls employees. Mr.. Rusken and aim
self, he said, had been trying TO find out
who was responsible for it, but the mat
ter was hg no means dear 70 him. ana he
IA, Qg n Ouplt
commend. One important position was in
volved, he said and he did not feel GER
tain that the committee should make that
appointment until further light had been
thrown upon The matter 1t was not pro-
per, he submitted. 10 repeat mere con-
versations, but he thought the committee
might appoint a subordinate body 70 In
vesrigate the rumors that were current.
Mr. Snead moved the adoption OF the CITY
Engineers suggestion.
Mr.. John King made q vigorous protest
against the name of the man most con-
cerned being given. and urged the COM
mttee TO elect the men, and instruct
Mr.. Ruskell 10 suspend the man pending
the ventilation of the charges.
Mr.. Gunst opposed Mr. Kings idea.
The statements of the City Engineer,
Sergeant-at-Arms, and Clerk of the COM
mittee were good enough for him. The
lflNErllBdllOH
he thought and IL would be a much
graver reflection to suspend a man than
1t would be to merely postpone his cleo
ton for a few days DerelictOn OF duty,
he said. was the only charge. He thought
members Of the committee would not full
I'll their obligations If they elected man
who was resting under a charge He con-
tended that IL would be a ridiculous posi-
ton for the committee to assume to elect |
a man and then turn right round and
suspend him from the Office to which he
had been chosen. 1t was not manly |
mode Of procedure. and it was putting the |
cart before the horse.
Mr.. King asked, with some heat wne- |
ther the member from Monroe Ward had |
not hinted in the caucus that some de- |
yelopments were in the wind. and sug |
gested the postpOnement of the election. |
as this new evidence or old?' he asked. |
"and if 1t is old, why did the member |
vote for this man at that time?'
Mr.. Gunst said. with evident chagrin, |
that he thought the question uncalled for |
at this time.
"Wer. l don't know" said Mr.. King, |
but before he could proceed the Chair |
intervened and Mr.. Gunst who had re-
mained standing, said. I'm going to an
swer the question. | am man enough |
not to- shirk any issue. This evidence is |
new entirely. I'm not gifted with the |
faculty Of endorsing one thing at one |
meeting and turning my back upon my |
position at the next"
MORE LIGHT NEEDED.
Mr.. Lawder wanted TO know how It
was possible to vote intellgently when |
there was no light upon the subject.
Mr.. Brock said: This is all new 10 me.
and I shan't vote unless l know what i
am voting for"
Mr.. King made another spirited speech.
asking the committee 10 confirm the ac
ton Of the caucus 1t was impossible |
to do anything else he thought as the
subject under investigation was entirely |
new and had transpired since the caucus.
NJ. Gunst called upon the City Engineer
TO name the man, but Mr.. Snead took the
floor and asked why the Sergeant-at-
Arms would not have the same Jurisdic-
ton over the person after the action OF
the caucus had been ratified.
Mr.. Neal called for the charges. 1t
was foolishness, he said, to elect a man
and then turn him out, and he would
positively refuse to vote.
MIR. Gunst announced from the chair
that the charge was neglect, and the
subject of investigation was the night
watchman. The City Engineer and Ser
had been investigating
the matter for a week past.
THAT puts the matter In a right light"
said Mr.. Neal.
MR.. BRIGGS GIVES THE NAME.
Mr.. Briggs supported Mr.. Kings view,
..a oddad. 81 am ready TO vote for Mr. |