Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1906-02-02

urer's Office was Of such character as to
be more than startling. The figures of /
some items were in lead pencil; in others |
the footings were at variance with the |
amount carried forward. The books were |
slovenly kept; In many cases erasures
after erasures being made, amounts
crossed and recrossed, and altogether Of
such a character that / feel your honor
able body should take some immediate
measures to correct. The ledger has had
no attention since July lst, 1905. / think
that if the city auditor had gone over
these books, as would seem to be his
duty, he never could have conscientiously
passed upon such a condition It Is with
great reluctance that ! have 10 bring
this matter to your attention. but feel
it my absolute duty TO the city of VIII
mington. Trusting that you may give
this immediate consideration with a view
70 having the city treasurer's accounts
properly kept I remain,
Yours very respectfully,
Horace Wilson, Mayor.
After the mayors letter had been read,
Mr.. McGovern moved that both letters be
received and referred to Council in COM
mittee of the whole.
Mr. White moved. as an amendment,
that they be referred 20 a committee Of
three, to be appointed by the chair. The
amendment was seconded by Mr.. Taylor,
whereupon Mr. McGovern objected on
the ground that it would practically
nullify his motion. Mr.. White said he
considered his plan the best and quickest
way to get at the matter, to ascertain
the exact condition of affairs.
''This matter simply means an investi-
CATION" said Mr.. McCa6erty, 'and l APP
prove of it going to the committee of the
whole"
MIR. McGovern said the committee of
the whole could meet Immediately after
the Council session, and, if necessary,
could appoint a subcommittee.
/ Mr.. Taylor held that this could not be
done, on the ground that the rules pro-
/ vide that all committees shall be ap-
pointed by the president, but Mr.. AlcGov-
| ern pointed out that this rule had been
amended so as to provide that the com
mittees shall be elected
Mr.. Taylor contended that if the mat
/ ter should be referred TO Council in COM
mittee of the whole it would mean the
appointment OF a committee by interest
ed parties.
Mr.. McCafferty said there was no per-
sonal interest with him. Abiding 10 the
subject matter. he said he considered the
treasurer responsible for the condition of
the books in his office, stating that he
and he alone is bonded for the faithful
performance Of the duties Of his office.
Mr.. McGovern said he thought if the
treasurer had been more assidious in his
instructions to the young man in his Of
fee, matters might have been different.
Like Mr.. McCafierty, he said he thought
the responsibility was largely with the
treasurer.
After the matter had been discussed at
length President Leitch ruled that Mr.
Whites amendment, to have the chair
appoint a committee of three, was in or
der, but it was defeated. all of the six
Democrats and Mr.. Postles voting
against Il, while the other six Republi-
cans voted for it.
Reverting 70 the original motion, 10
refer the matter to Council in committee
of the whole, the vote was reversed, all
of the Democrats and Mr.. Postles voting
I'm the affirmative. In explaining his
vote, which was in the negative, Mr.
Ross said he did not consider that the
responsibility for the condition of affairs
was with Mr.. Blaine, but gave it as his
opinion that il was with Council, adding:
"5rhe member from the Eleventh ward
may have some personal interest, and il
may mean a whitewashing.'
MIR. McGovern stoutly denied that h,
had any personal interest and said al
he wanted to see was justice.
After the adoption of the motion to re
fer the matter to committee of tn,
whole, on motion Of Mr. Lynch a recess
of Is minutes was taken 10 consider thl
matter On this motion all of the Re
publicans except Mr.. Postles voted il
the affirmative, as did also Mr.. Lynch
while Mr.. Postles voted in the negative
the vote being to @.
During the recess Council went int
committee Of the whole in the mayor
, office. and at the conclusion Of the meet
! ing President Leitch announced the ap
: pointment of the committee given above
In the committee meeting it was agree
; unanimously, il is said, that there shoul
be q committe of four, equally divided
and that it should be appointed by IN
+ president, whcreupon President Leitc
picked out Messrs. Taylor, White. Lyne