The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-05-27
TO PROBE
TO BOT TOM
Aldermen Will Investigate
Municipal Affairs.
GRAND JURY'S EVIDENCE
Lengthy and Interesting Document in
Possession of City Attorney-Wlll
Doubtless &c Called for-Acts
independent Of Council.

At the instance of Major Otway s. AL
len, OF Madison Ward, the Board OF Al
dertnen took such action last night as
Will shortly result In thorough irvesti-
cation of alleged municipal corruption,
rumors Of which were 80 common rev
months back, and which finally resulted
In inquiry by n special grand jury, terini-
mating with the indictment for bribery
Of ex-Alderman John NJ King, OF Jefrer-
son Ward who is now ON trial IN the
Hastings Court.
In word, the Board adopted pream-
BILE and resolution authorizing the ap-
pointment of special committee Of FIVE
to summon witnesses and, with the as
sistance OF the City Attorney, to slit the
numerous reports in regard to crooked
work among members. and the body is TO
pay particular attention to the ilnal re-
port of the grand jury, which. though
calling no names, limited rather vaguely
at certain forms Of corruption.
The measure Is not concurrent one.
and the Common Council, which has al
ready twice refused to be investigated,
will have nothing whatever to do with
tho matter, all remaining to be done nov
before the inquiry starts being for Presi-
dent Turpin to announce his committee.
And, while 1t IL not generally known,
committee from either branch Will now
have authority quite equal to that vested
In Joint body, composed of members or
both branches. Indeed the proposed inVes-
tigating body will have authority to sum-
mon witnesses and compel them to tes-
tify, Just as a court has.
HAS NULL POWER.
Before adjournment the Legislature
passed an act giving committee Of
either branch OF the Council such author
oil In a fhRrpby
making 1t possible for the Board to ig-
more the lower branch and go on with an
investigation.
And the news that the investigation Is
sure Is all the more startling when 1t
is understood that City Attorney Pollard
has in his possession complete copy
OF the stenographic report OF the famous
grand Jury proceedings and will doubt
less be called upon to produce them. when
all OF the closely hidden secrets VIII
come out for the first time.
A copy of the preamble and resolution
follows. 1t was unanimously adopted
the Hastings Court Of the city. OF Rich
mond has made report rejecting upon
the conduct Of members OF the Council
Of the city Of Richmond and d. whereas mere :;
Richmond has declined TO- concur in
tlon," adopted by this body, asking an
conduct Of the members OF the two
bodies: now, therefore be It resolved:.
/. That committee OF FIVE from the
Board of Aldermen be appointed to In
vestigate the conduct Of It's present and
former members. SO as to ascertain the
foundation for such reflections made by
the special grand jury. and particularly
to report the persons within or without
this body who are implicated In any
transactions OF questionable kind in
connection with their official duties In
this body.
2. The committee shall have power to
summon witness and compel their at
tendance. and require the production Of
such papers as may be necessary
Attorney to aid said committee In the
investigation hereby ordered.
1. That the Honorable Judge OF the
Hastings Court OF the city OF Richmond
be requested to lay before the committee
stenographically before the said grand
Jury and now on f1le with the clerk Of
his court. or permit the City Attorney
to have access to the same.