The daily gazette., 1875-02-05
FIRST EDITION
Tac Investigation.

In the Clty COUNCIL, last evening,
Messrs. Burke and Underwood, from
the committee TO investigate certain
charges against the Water Department
presented majority report, of which
the following is synopsis: /
After stating that the committee
comm enced by examining the Water
Department employees, s, the report
gives the result of the examinations:
A. j. Maxwell stated that he had
volun tarily signed the paper at the re-
quest Of Mr.. Hyde, who said he did
not wish any one to sign against his
will; also signed the name Of A. ].
Caulk at the direction of Mr.. Hyde,
Caulk being absent from the works at
the time. Heard no complaints among
the men.
Robert Stewart considered himself
able to give the amount he subscribed,
was requested TO sign by Mr.. Burton.
had he been asked by an outside party
would have given what he was able,
VIM. H. Baker said that he signed
under protest for feared Of dismissal,
and found that an employee who did
not know that he was required to con-
tribute until informed by the witness;
| on the 26th of January witness receiv-
ed notice that his services would not
be needed after one week, but on the
2eth was requested to give written
resignation; thought he has charged
with keeping a saloon as his continu-
ance seemed to depend upon his relir-
| quishment OF that business; had heard
other men complain OF the collection
of the 8 per cent. and thought it not
right.
Mr.. Farley voluntarily signed the
paper, and considered himself justified
in so doing; had heard of no com
plants, and had never been asked he
fore to sign such paper
John Gill signed the paper when
asked by Mr.. Burton Of his own ac-
cord, but. would not do so if he had
been working anywhere else; did not
wish TO be the only one who did not
sign; could not afford to give the
money; had heard of no complaints.
A. j. Caulk said that he would not
have acknowledged his signature as
signed by Mr.. Maxwell, had he not
feared dismissal, as he was not able to
give the money; had heard Gill, Ba.
ker and Maxwell complain: would moi
have given the money had he been
| elsewhere employed.
Patrick Hauly was requested tc
sign by Mr.. Burton and did so from
fear OF dismissal; was afterwards in
; formed that the money would not
have to be paid.
j. g. Smith voluntarily signed the
paper at request Of Mr.. Burton, and
had heard OF no complaints but die
not converse much with employees.
Fisher Ames also osigned,yoluntarlly
although unable, but would have
given the money under other circum
} stances.
Joseph Hyde said that he had sue.
gested the plan and that Mr.. Burtor
} had drawn up the petition, all the mcr
signing without objection. lie deniec
the statement that the employees die
not get their full wages, and denied thai
Mr. Bakers discharge resulted from thi,
affair. Asked Baker for his resignation
! as polite way of getting rid Of hin
although had no fault to find with him
he being faithfully at his post.
W. W. Wilson and ]. I. Quigley sub
scribed willingly. aud had heard Of n,
complaints.
, z. F. Wilson signed without asking
and without fear Of discharge.
. Thomas Brown put his name down fo
| rear w ulSCHhrBe, ana WOnIQ nOt nav
given il employed elsewhere.
Samuel b. Baylis signed without bein,
3 asked as he thought that he must do &c
and wonld not do SO if the matter was t
do over again had heard Mr.. Baker sa,
he intended to have his money bacl
again.
e In summing up their rt port the com
+ mittee say that each witness was examin
ed separately, no one being present a
any OF the examinations but the commit
tee and the witness. 1t will be seen fron
the evidence that some Of the men stat
J. positively that they gave the per cent
e for fear of being discharged. And almos
all OF them had cases of charity in o
near their own families to whom the
would have preferred to give the none
J. thus withheld. The testimony goes t
show that one man "a. ]. Caulk) did no
sign the fret paper as he was at HON
sick and had not been at work for some
time previous.
The committee further, while approx
ing the extension OF help to the poo,
hold that no coereive measure should b
employed to extort money from the poo
6 laboring man who holds his place at tn
pleasure Of the Chief Engineer, OF hi
employer, whoever he may be.
1t is therefore recommended that Chic
Engineer Jos. P. Hyde be censured 70
d the course he has pursued in this case
IT thus affording him q pretext to dlscharg
some of his men without sufficient cause
and who according to Mr.. Hyde's testi
mony were good, faithful men always a
tLeir post Of duty and capable Of dis
charging their duties, especially the fire
man. The committee also recommend
that the Water Committee be censure
for allowing the Chief Engineer, who i
i subject to their orders, to make himsel
n conspicuous as the levier and collector 0
It tax upon the employees of the Waite
o Department. The contempt shown b.
z, Mr.. Charles Burton, Jr., Registrar, in no
s appearing before the committee, deserve
@ and should receive, the committee thinks
the unqualified condemnation Of thi
Council as the committee were but tn
representatives of this body and shoul
70 have received at least the respect of a
= officer holding his position by the vote
& of this Council.
Mr.. Bickta. from the same commit