The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-11-05
TAME REPORT
U HOT TALK
Mayor-Finance Committee Farce
Goes Into New Chapter


ignoring the opinion of Mr.. Charles
y. Meredith, acting for the city At
torney. the special COMMITTEES appoint
ed to investigate the charges MADE
against the finance Committee by the
Mayor and the Finance Committees
charges against the Mayor. sent III
Its report to Council last night, mold
Ing that the Mayor was correct when
he said that the members of the II
NANCE Committee had not observed tae
provisions of the charter in making
up the budget. Charges directed at
the Mayor concerning the sale and de-
struction of certain bonds were passed
by as farcical.
Though the report was tame, and
characterized as u fitting n t" u
bowling farce. the failure of the inves-
tigators to bring in Mr.; Meredithls
opinion. provoked q whirlwind Of nov
Lynch witt q motion directing that
The stenographic report and the opiE-
ion be produced. This was adopted by
a vote of l6 to L.
considered ny the committee:
i. IL the Finance Committee did
make up the budget for the year
1909 contrary to the charter. :. no
bonds. 8. To investivate the sale Of
certain bonds.
What the Committee Found.
The report shows that \ finance
committees III IL IL VT 49,
contrary To the charter OF II city. add.
ing, however. that the committee acted
in good faith and had done no inten-
tional wrong. and followed a pfeceaeIit
disposed of the charge made by the
Mayor.
On the second count the committee
report shows that the Manor acted
the chief executive of the city in de-
strcying certain bonds which had been
impcrfectly printed. The only matter
of dispute vas by whom the bonds
were destroyed-the Mayor, the AUDITOR
;,nd the Treasurer acting Jointly ana
making a Joint statement. of their act
The report goes on: III would have
been wiser. in our opinion, II said bonds
had been praperiy caneeled and MED
away As an evidence OF their cauceila-
ticn. The Mayor should have formally
po,iuad the City Council of the act.
but this omission did net in the least
AFFECT the propriety of his act in
promptly destroying the dangerous Sc
esiiei 10 them
WITH regard TO the sale of the bonds,
the report says that the transaction
ssas one which has proved itself TO
the interests Of the city. and in accord
WITH sound business policy. 1t has re-
suited in absolutely no loss to the city
Wanted Opinion Produced.
H rs EEFHIl}S-su ID the EEIhtaI Nts liz
cause OF q spirited and at times heated
debate in the Council. especially the
VsT. which reads: These questions he
ing in themselves of a legal nature.
,-our committee submitted the same, &C.
o~cEnpanisd With q st~enographic report
Of the evidence taken before tho com
1~nfttse. 20 the City Attorney for his
ruling The City Attorney asked to be
excused from giving an opinion for pei
sonal reasons, 4.id presented the opin-
tnn as submitted by another. As this
opinion was nott=ccordanca with the
evidence and .!,- facts in one case. and
not perfectly clear in another. we iE-
nored same and offer the following as
our conclusions in regard TO the three
subjects referred to US.
This statement brought several mem
hers to their feet. Mr.. Cannon referred
10 the whols investigation. including
The report OF the committee. asa farce.
We have reached one more stage in
OF the farce Is the statement, that
~inusmuch as the questions involved
were of a legal nature, they asked the
City ATTORNEY. who for personal rea-
sons declined 10 furnish an opinion.
hut requested another to act in his
stead. But when another's opinion did
not agree with their own ideas oNlaw,
the committee saw fit to ignore It en-
tirelv. Their failure to mention the
name of the gentleman. so that the
Council should act intellisently. is most
uninue and original"
Ny. Cannon was proceeding to speak
on the subject when Mr.. Lynch inter-
rnpted and said that inasmuch as MIR.
!Icredlth's opinton had o been pro-
duced IL would be more satisfactory TO
secure IT and then act accordingly.
several members spoke on the cues
ton. and the debate was running 10
weed but the Lynch motion was finally
carried, and then SOMEBODY moved TO