The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-07-19
City Stirred as it Seldom is
by Gasser Allegation.
KING INDIGNANTLY DENIES
Says the Charge is False, but
Will Not Talk Further.
MAY BE TAKEN INTO COURT
,ommonweal.h's Attorney Richardson
Moving in the Matter-One Year
in Jail and Fine Not Exceeding
$1,000 the Penalty for
Bribe Giving ard
Taking.
MAY BE TAKEN INTO COURT

Richmond was stirred yesterday as 1t
has rarely been stirred. when 1t learned
from g man SO well known and impllc-
itly trusted as Colonel w =. Cutsha",
for twenty-nine years city engineer, that
cauain Charles Gasser, a city paving
contractor, had stated in the presence
Of two other witnesses that a. member OF
the Board Aldermen and Street Commit
tee. Mr. John NJ. King, had been receir-
ing money from him in return for his
influence in the awarding of city con-
tracts by the Street Committee.
The question in every ones mind and
the subject Of general conversation
throughout the day was as to how the
matter could be thoroughly investigated.
Captain Gasser at the same time stated
that other councimen had received
money and that Cther contractors had
given It, This seemed to call for a gen.
eral investigation Of the whole matter.
But by whom?
Mayor Richard NJ. Taylor. when seen
last night stated, that he had not decided
upon any course of action in the premises.
He wished to give the matter thorough
consideration before taking any steps
1t is regarded as quite possible that the
mayor may address a communicate ton to
the Council on the subject. calling for
q thorough investigation, as he did in
the case of the recent EppS defalcation.
The energy of the mayor in the matter
OF his comprehensive message to the
new Council and his well known insist
ance first and above all upon integrity
/: in office would seem to lend additional
probability TO his taking hand in the
thorough sitting of the charges.
THE MAYORS REMEDY.
One of the Mayors closest friends
stated with characteristic emphasis that
the remedy for bribe giving in the city
government. as we'll as for other kindred
Ills. was to be found in the Mayors
recommended investigating accountants
to report to him.
Sub-Chairman Peters of the Street Com.
mittee the head of that body in the alb
sence from the city of Major Aplen.
was of opinion yesterday that the COM
mittee had done everything it possibly
could towards an investigation of the
charges at the three meetings held on
Thursday. He did not see what more
the committee could do, it could
neither compel the attendance nor the:
testimony of witnesses.
AS Mr.. King, against who nlthe specific
charge is brought is no longer a mem
ber of the Council, it is the opinion of
several members of that body, among
them President Rloomberg. that it is the
privilege of the judicial branch of the
State governement rather than of the le-
gslatiye branch of the city government
to take further steps in the matter.
ACTION OF THE COURTS.
Commonwealths Attorney Richardson
is considering the case. When seen yes
terday he said he would at once confer
with Colonel Cutshaw. and also with Act
Ing Police Justice Graves. before whom
the case would come. as it is misde-
meanor under the code. No grand jury
meets until September 20lh. and MI Rich
Erdson thought that nothing would be
gained by presenting the matter to a
grand jury. as it would. from the nature
of the offence necessarily pass to the
Police Court rather than the Hastings
Court. 1t could be inauguarted in the
Police Court at any time without the
aid of the grand jury.
The fact that the code makes the bribe
giver equally liable with the bribe taker.
Mr. Richardson regards as an obstacle
~ the way of any thorough investigation
c this or similar cases. He believes
that it would be we'll to do away with
the penalty for brbe giving. AS it is,
a man cannot he made TO give testimony
discriminating himself and the situation
Is similar to that which follows a duel.
so far as the securing of satisfactory
evidence is concerned.
A peculiar fact. worthy of mention, is
that there is some uncertainty in the
mind of Commonwealth's Attorney Rich
ercson as TO whether the sections in the
code relating to bribe giving and brbe
taking ae applicable to the councilmen
Of CITY The code refers to any exc
cutive. legislative. or judicial officer.
There Is some uncertainty. and it has
never been authorativeiy decided whe-
ther or not councilman is an
officers the code means only members
what uncertain whether by Legislative
officers the code means only members
OF the legislative branch of the State
government, or also all members of the
legislati branches of the governments
OF Incorporated municipalities as well.
The question as to whether councilmen
are city Officers ;. Mr.. Richardson re-
CARDS as an important one. and also as
one having bearing upon the recent
question of free passes to city officials.
PENALTIES FOR BRIBERY
The wording of the sections OF the
code relating to bribe giving and bribe
taking are of peculiar interest:
Section sTi4 Brlhcs to influence vote.
opinion. etc, of officer. n3a punished.
II any person co-rugtly -. offer. or
promise to any eyecutise. legislative, or
9nOlCldl pillCei. 3ltCf5 -iS e!ectlon or ap-
pointment, and e.G,ct before or after
he shall have been qra,itied, or shall have
taken his seat, any 1s;ft or sratuity, with
intent ii infcence his act. vote. opinion.
decision. or judgment on any matter.
question. cause. or proceeding which g
Or may be then pending or may by law
come or be brought before him in his
Official capacity. he shall be confined in
aail one year. and be fined not exceeding
one thousand dollars.
..section BIAS. Acceptance thereof by
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