Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-10-15
WILL COLLECT EVIDENCE.
Of Five Instructed to Report
Particulars of every Instance of
1ITsconduct''-AId Refuse to
Place Tax on Bootb1acks.

! The feature Of the session of the Board
of Aldermen last night was the introduc-
tior by Mr.. John B. Minor, of joint reso-
| luton. providing for the appointment Of
a joint committee to investigate the broad
charge made by the report of the special
grand jury of the Hastings Court, as to
reputed methods adopted by some of the
members Of the last City Council The
resolution provides for the appointment
of q joint committee to be composed of
two members from the Board of Alder
men, and three from the Common Coun-
Gil. and carries al appropriation OF $500
for the expenses of the commission.
Mr.. Minor, in presenting the paper. said
it was not just that the entire City Coun-
Gil should submit to the wholesale charge,
and that, if reprenensible practices had
been resorted to, it was the due to inno-
cent members Of the Courcil taat the
blame be placed where it belonged He
thought such course was demanded in
the interest Of the good name of the city.
Mr.. Mann thought the commission
should be composed of seven members, but
after some discussion. the resolutions as
presented were adopted.
The preamble aud resolutions read as
follows:
Text of the Resolution.
Whereas. the special grand jury Of the
Hastings Court of the city of Richmond
did on the 4th day of October. 1902, make
the following report: (Then follows the
full report Of the grand jury which has
been printed in full in the Dispatch)
Whereas, in said report it is charged
that votes were secured in Council for
franchises and privileges by reprehensible
means; and,
Whereas, many members Of the City
Council during the period covered by the
investigation Of said grand jury, each of
whom, if innocent. is entitled to vindica-
tior for said charge; and
Whereas, it is absolutely necessary if the
Council: is to command the confidence of
the public that ths guilty parties. if any
such there be in the present Council
should be exposed: therefore,
Be it Resolver % that a joint commit
tee Of five be and the same is hereby con-
stituted. to be appointed two from the
Board of Aldermen by the president Of
that body, and three from the Common
Council by the president of that body,
whose duty it shall be to investigate and
report to either branch of the Council
what members if any. Of the present
Council while members of the present or
former Councils, have been influenced in
their votes in council by imp1 oper means, !
whether by corporation. the representa-
tives Of corporations. private individuals.
by receiving money, work, business or any |
other benefit of any sort or description as
consideration for, or the influence of their |
votes; and whether any business relations |
likely to influence the votes of mem |
bers of Council now exist between any |
corporation, representative of any cor
poration or private individual and member
of the present Council.
And the said committee shall report the
particulars Of every instarce of such mis-
conduct with the evidence thereof.
2. That saiG Joint Committee be and is
hereby authorized to summon before it |
and examine all necessary persons, % Ca.
for the production OF ali necessary pa
pers. and to employ all necessary cleri-
cal aid In making this investigation at the
expense not to exceed the amount herein
after appropriated.
And every officer and employee of the
city is hereby directed to render the said
committee in its said investigation all Of |
the assistance in his power
8. That the sum of $500, or such thereof |
as may be necessary, is hereby ,appro-
priated for the use Of said committee in
defraying the expenses necessary and in-s
cident to said investigation.
No Tax on Boetblacks.
The ordinance, which. If adopted would
require all ,bootblacks overa15 years OF
age working on the streets Of the city to-
pay q license tax of 80 per year. was
upon the recomme0datinpsof sof the com-si