The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-04-02
THE y CASE
Mr.. +. T. Mills Came Home Yester-
They Requested That the Case be
RepeaIed-The Correspondence About
the Matter.

Mr.. z. r. Mills. who made the charge
against Superintendent of Streets J. A.
Perry. returned to the city yesterday
from Norfolk. In his absence the
streets n wharves committee inves-
tigated the charges and the board or
aldermen on Wednesday night exoner-
ated Mr.. Perry. Yesterday when Mr..
Mills returned he employed the law
firm OF Bellamy & Peschau. composed
of Congressman John D. Bellamy and
Geo. l.. Peschau. Esq. n through his
counsel he asked that the ease be re-
opened SO his side Of the question could
be heard.
Last night a Messenger representa-
tive called on Alderman j. A. Taylor.
chairman OF the streets and wharves
committee, and asked him what was 10
be done about the matter. Alderman
Taylor said he had been requested TO
reopen the case. and allowed The Mes
senger to COPY the following
cation which he received last night:
Wilmington. March % 1901.
Mr.. J. Allen Taylor. Chairman Streets
and Wharves Committee. City,
Dear Sir:-Mr. Frank T. Mills has just
employed US to represent HIM in the
matter in controversy between Mr.. Per
ny and himself. which we understand
your mmitt investigated In the abb
sence of Mr.. Mills yesterday. AS you
are aware. Mr.. Mills on account of a
previous engagement. involving a very
large amount of money. was forced to
be in Norfolk at the time of the hear
ing, and only returned to the city this
morning. He has further evidence, he
informs US, that Mr.. Ferry has been
receiving rebates not only from him,
but from Mr.. L. w. Bates n others.
He will be prepared to prove his
charges not only by Mr. Bates, but by
a number of witnesses. those names
we will give to the committee if you
will permit an investigation. AS you,
beyond a question. are anxious to
maintain the integrity Of the public
Srvice, We ask your committee to fix
a time tomorrow or next day, before
the term of your board expires, that
you may have evidence before you
which will prove the charges made by
Mr.. Mills. 1t was unfortunate that Mr..
Mills could not be present. and it is un-
fortunate hat the matter was not dis
posed of at the recent investigation,
but the purity Of the conduct Of officers
of the citv is at stake and the public as
well as Mr.. Mills demand immediate
and thorough Investigation. We there
fore, as attorneys for Mr.. Mills, insist
that you set a time and place for hear
ing and we will endeavor to have the
witnesses before you. Please give this
your immediate attention and request
Colonel Waddell, mayor. to call a spe-
cial meeting for this purpose.
BELLAMY & PESCHAU,
Attorneys for F. T. Mills.
Alderman Taylor's reply to the above
communication was made at an early
hour last night. 1t was as follows:
Wilmington. March %. 1901.
Messrs. Rellamy & Peschau. Attorneys,
Gentlemen:-Your letter Of ven date
vas delivered at my residence at Ills
this p. m.
I note that as attorneys for Mr..
Frank T.. Mills you ask that the streets
place for hearing tomorrow or next day
at which Mr.. Mills will appear and
prove the charges preferred by him
against Superintendent Of Streets j. A.
Perry, by testimony of Mr.. Bates and
others.
You are doubtless aware thai the
term of office Of the present board OF
aldermen expires tomorrow, the 18th,
at noon, and it must be clear to you,
therefore, that it will be impossible for
the committee to give a further hear
ing in the matter.
IL 10 ~ bc lSS1COl-o lie Soo ~ IN
deliver the communication at an earlier
hour, and thus rendered it possible for
the committee to have complied with
your request n ordered a hearing this
evening.
If Mr.. Mills has n further charges
to prefer n will embody them in an
affidavit. I will deliver the same to the
ensuing board of aldermen; otherwise,
the matter will have to be taken up
with the new board. Yours truly,
j. A. TAYLOR,
Chairman Streets and Wharves Com
mittee.
When seen last night Alderman Tay-
1or informed The MESSENGER represen-
tative that it was impossible to post
pone the examination until Mr.. Mills
return, as upon inquiry at Mr.. Mills
office it was a~scertailed that he would
not return until Thursday night, the
28th instant, n as the term Of the
present board of aldermen expires at
noon today, the Investigation had to be
made at once or not at all.