The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-09-18
law DOESN I APPLY
TO SUBCONTRACTS
That, at Least, S the Opinion Of
Former City Attorney
Meredith.
DR.. WILLIAMS STANDS FIRM
Quotes Record to Show That Mi
Wiltshire Submitted Two
Bids.

Showing clearly that he had forth
fed himself with facts when he de-
clared that certain members OF Coun-
ell We're accepting sub-contracts from
I the city. DIR. Ennion G. Williams, in
an additional statement yesterday.
said that when lie had charged that
two bids were received by, Councilman
Wiltshire lie had simply quoted from
tile minutes, the official record of the
City Home. To be more exact, he
gives n subcommittee report. signed
by Mr.. Wiltshire.
There could be no mistake about the
t:emor which swept through muni-
cipal circles when the report OF DR..
Ing In The Times Dispatch. was read
Friends of Councilmen Wiltshire and
Atkinson came out freely with the
opinion that they had knowingly vio-
lated no law, and that. according to an
opinion by former City Attorney Mere
d1th. bona -fide sub-contract does
not come within the laws scope
Many in the Same Bont.
Even this, however. did not modify
the feeling that this alleged species
Of graft" SO called is rampant in
Richmond.
For that reason there Is no attempt
to have the punishment of the law fall
heavily upon the heads of the two
Councilmen mentioned. Indeed, there
can hardly be any denial of the fact
that this sort of thing has been going
on for months or years. DIR. Williams.
without making sweeping charges, In
dicated as much, but added that this
concrete evidence of it which had come
to his attention.
The matter. of course. will not end
with the report OF one member. II has
n a m ct. IJ.,It law H.
must render an opinion. and in the
circumstances 1t is argued that what
others believe is not applicable. as 1T
is question for judicial determination.
Quotes From the Record.
After he had talked with Mr.. Wilt
shire, DR.. Williams gave out this state
ment:
In my statement made last night to
the COMMITTEE on Relief of the poor.
stated that two bids We've received by
Mr.. Wiltshire and presence by him 10 h
the Committee on Relief of the Poor.'.s
This statement was based upon the min
ufes OF July, which Is as follows:
Mr. wiltshire. chairman of the Sub
committee on Repairs and improvements
presented the following report, which
read:
Richmond. Va. July I'd.
To the Committee on Relief CT the Poor.
Gentlemen,--Your subcommittee APP
pointed March Is, 1907. 10 look into
repairs and improvements at the City
rome respectfully beg leave 20 submit
herewith bids received by them In an
swer TO duly published advertisement
Tor work to be done in accordance with
the bids. being follows:
John T.. Rose e Co, s3450. Go
Thomas N Kendler, $4,000 ~
Your subcommittee respectfully recon-
mends that the contract for the work be
awarded TO the lowest Abidder. Thomas
No. kendler. he 10 execute n proper con-
tract and furnish an acceptable bond In
the sum of sa50 for faithful perform
arce of The work
Very respectfully.
G. III. WILTSHIRE
Chairman.
Mr. George B. Davis Superintendent
OF the City Home, says that upon re-
quest of the subcommittee he advertised
for the work in, the usual legal manner
By an advertisement In the News Leader.
Two bids were received by him at his
Office In the City Hail. These Two bids
ne transmitted to the clerk of the COM
lrittee at It's regular meeting that night,