Daily Republican., 1881-09-29
THE LYNCH INVESTIGATION.
Witnesses Examined for She NE,
fense-AShOrs Session on Acc on nj
or Biek ness.

The Committee appointed to investi
gate the charge against Street Commits
sioner Louis 2. Lynch, met again las
evening and continued the examination
Of witnesses.
John Collins, a laborer, being sworr
said that one day last winter in pass
Ing Lynch's house, he saw him bus,
shovelling snow from his pavement
and lie without any solicitation from
Lynch, took shovel and helped hin
for about three quarters cf an hour
and he would have done the same fol
any gentleman, under the circum
stances. He also said that he had work.
ed overtime for Mr.. Lynch, but he had
paid him out of his own pocket.
Mr.. j Frank Ball, City Auditor, read
q statement, which showed that from
March 23i, 1874, to March lst, 1881, the
sum OF f225. 80 had been paid into the
city treasury, for dirt sold from the
| streets.
Nathan Jennings sworn. Sometime
last spring wanted about one hun
dred, or one hundred and fifty loads of
dirt. | called on Mr.. Lynch and he re-
fused to let me- have it, rs he said that
he had no right to sell or give it away,
and further that ali the dirt they had
was needed by the city for filling in
streets | felt somewhat offended at
him, as be was a neighbor and |
thought that he might let me have it.
Patrick O'Connor, was next called
and sworn. l am employed on the
street, and l never knew Mr.. Lynch
to sell dirt to any one. Sometime ago,
my son wanted some dirt to fill up his
yard, and asked Mr.. Ly nch to sell it to
him; this he refused to do, but Patrick
Gardner sold him two loads, and came
on the next Saturday for the money.
Patrick Gafdner had the witness re-
called, aud was cross.examining him,
when Patrick O'Conner, Jr., who was
standing outside the railing, commence
ed talking in loud tone of voice, and
Informed Gardner that Ee would not
allow him 10 contradict his father, and
commenced to give q statement about
the dirt, when he was called in and
upon being placed Oh the Aitness
stand, testified that he was the man
that got the dirt. He said that last
Spring having filled up his yard, he
wanted some dirt to top off with, and
went to Mr.. Lynch and askeu him TO
sell him some, which he refused to do.
Shortly after he saw Gardner at work
with his gang, sweeping the street, and
and he asked him about it, and he OF
fered to sell him all he wanted at SO
cents load; thinking the price too
high he only ordered one load, but
Gardner sent him two, and on the en-
suing Saturday called on him for the
and demanded 81 which he re-
fused to pay, as he had only ordered
one load. He was never called on
again for the money, but he stated to
the committee that he was ready at
any time to pay for what he had or.
dered.
Francis Kelley, sworn. Have been
foreman of IA street gang ever since Mr..
Lynch has been in office, and l have
never known him to sell any dirt toany
one. |
On being cross examined he said that |
he never had any orders from Lynch to
sell dirt, and then stated that once
while at work on French street, a man
came to him with a note which he
could not read, and said that Gardner
had sent him, and he allowed the man
TO take a wheelbarrow load Of dirt.
Gardner here interrupted the witness,
md said that he was working on Madi- |
son street, and the order came to him ]
from Lynch, that the dirt was for Mr.. |
Pusey, and that which he had was not
suitable, and he sent the man with the
order to Kelly.
Mr.. Lawrence addressed the commit.
zee and said that Gardner charged that
ne had paid money at different times to
Lynch for dirt, that he had sold by his
orders, but thus far he had failed to
produce any evidence to substantiate
,he charge, and he thought that Gard
ner should be made to prove that he
had paid money to Lynch.
Some discussion ensucd, as to the ne
cessity of having Mr.. Pusey summoned
before the committee, which was how
sver cut short by Mr.. Adams stating
hat he was too sick to sit any longer,
md on his motion the committee ad.
ourned until next Monday evening.