The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-01-07
MAYOR TAYLOR
). WAS REBUKED
Continued From First Page.)

same the closest attention WIS Sise
oy tha members ana those who were
IN the room as spectators. The report
was yoluminous and rehearsed the EVIL
lence that was given at the various
hearings, and which has already peeh
printed. After going over this evidence
he report sums up as follows:
.'The false entries made by Cecil L.
Epps upon the aforesaid gas bill list
book extended over perioo OF seseia,
years, and SO far as discovered involved
s41350 which amount has been paid into
the. CITY treasury by his bondsmen.
poor JUDGMENT..'
"Your committee feels obliged to re-
port that it is of the opinion that it was
the positive duty of Mr.. Shelton, Mr.
Warren. Mr.. Mccarthy and Mr.. Phillips,
each and all of them, to see TO IL that
the Mayor was promptly informed OF the
conduct of Epps as soon as 1t was as
certained by them, and in their failure
TO do so with greater degree of prompt
less were guilty of derelictiou OF duty
the result not Of intentional wrong. bat
Of rather surprisingly poor judgment, or
lack of presence Of mind. At the same
time your committee cannot escape the
conclusion that his honor, the Mayor
seems to have had on that occasion no
more presence of mind and no better
Judgment. and fell equally as far short
Of proper performance of his duty as
more than two hours, at least. We're al
lowed to pass after the charge against
Epps was given him before he issued
the warrant for his arrest.
GRATUITOUS CHARGE.
while giving his testimony. in open
session of your committee, the Mayor
positively and enaphatically charged that
Mr. Warren and Mr.. Mccarthy had col
luded to effect Mrs Epps' escape from JUS
tice- Your committee feels further called
upon to say that. in its opinion. this
charge was entirely sratuitous. unjusti-
fled and wrong, being wholly unsustained
by any testimony or circumstance
Had the Mayor believed these gentle
men guilty Of this charge it was his
duty to have suspended. them inlmedl-
ately.
your committee begs to report. fur
Their, that during their investigation there
developed nothing which. showed any IT.
regularities on the part of any other
ou1cer OF emjIoye connected with this
matter. Your committee advises that the
Committee on Finance be directed TO
prepare a. proper ordinance, which Will
prevent a recurrence Of this trouble, and
one which will cause the several Depart
ments to e rcise more care and diligence
in the preservation of ali records.
55UNDIGNIFIED CONDUCT.
'eYour committee feels that it Should
not close this report without stating to
your honorable body that, notw1thstand-
ing YOU constituted this committee at the
instance of the Mayor, yet during the
investigation his conduct was undignitied
and extensively rude, and that without
provocation, other than that your commi-
tee thought it proper to inquire closely
into. his conduct In the Epps matter;
this course seemed to enrage him
| The report was received, and VIII go to
| the Board OF aldermen.
LIBRARY TRUSTEES.
Mr.. West opened up the Carnegie Ii
brary trustees question by moving that
the three trustees be elected: Mr.
5e:rirna moved that the Council adjourn.