The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-03-07

that the matter be dropped and declined to be the
recipient q such .sop present 50 th oDneq'
contributions were made by business men
q the city for the Of sna me
money collected by Mr. Coyne from the aboring men,
instead OF being refunded by Mr.. Coyne, was part
but we do not find from the evidence that Mr.. War
rem had any knowledge Of the money SO collected
from the men being used for that purpose.
We find that Transfers after working hours. haul
ed arth for filing lots for outside parties and that
the same was done freely and voluntarily ana
without any improper influence.
We find that earth was hauled by the city teamsters
to lot OF stephen O'Connor (who was one OF the
oyerseers) during working hours. Such an irregu-
larity should have been promptly discovered by tue
Street Commissioner and not allowed.
with private work ia Calculated to create confusion
and is liable result in injury to the city, interests
The officials OF the city during the time OF their
employment by the city, ought to conne their atten
tion and the services of the city employees to the
city business exclusively, without interruption for
individual convenience and necessities however
pressing.
We find that considerable sum of money was col
lected at various times by Mr.. OtConnor from the
city employees laboring men, ostensibly to be paid to
MT Warren as the price of their retention upon the
We emphaticany condemn the practice which has
heretofore prevailed of making collections from the
aboring for the benefits directly indirectly of
those in authority over them.
We think the action of Mr.. Coyne in making such
collections, although the evidence shows the pay
ments to have been freely made, is reprehensible.
The collections made by O'Connor, Kane and
Covne, We're an outrageous imposition upon poor
men, and demands the severest Condemnation. Mr.
O'Connor's explanation of the disposition Of the
money collected by him is contradictory, that we
prefer the Council to draw their own conclusions
O'Connor states that he paid the money to Mr. War
rem but by admissions he made to Alderman Henry
and Others previously, this was denied. On one
evening he that he did not keep any account
of this money, but could only approximate the
amount, and on another occasion he swears that he
did keep an account of it in memorandum book,
but that the book has been lost least could not
be found, though placed in a bureau drawer, to
hold had access. He swore that whenever question
ed about the MATTER before his examination by the
committee, that he had not told the truth.
Mr.. Warren states most emphatiealy that he never
received any money from Mr.. o'Connor directly or
indirectly.
There was one witness who testified that the last
dollar he paid to O'Connor, he asked Mr.. Warren if
he had received it. and that Warren said he had:
this is all denied by Mr. Warren.
We think the Street Commissioner ought to have
used greater care to prevent any of the employees
under him from being assessed for contributions or
pose, and think If greater had been used by
Mr. Warren, the levies that the evidence shows have
been made would have been prevented.
We further find that men employed on the city
work were aken off and allowed to work bitches
Mr.. Hansgen, which latter was on contract with
Mr.. Warren.
The practice OF engaging in outside work by the
Street Commissioner or his foremen, we emphat-
ielly condemn, and in the opinion OF your commit
it is not for the best interest OF the city but on
the contrary should not be allowed.
We find that there has been a loose practice in
laton TO the purchase of material for the city, and
in ascertaining the amount thereof. All material
purchased for the city ought to be carefully and in
detail inspected and checked, before vouchers are
given. This wonld entail additional expense
perhaps, upoTthe city, in the employment by the
city or help for that purpose.
We do find from the evidence that the city has
in fact lost anything heretofore from this loose
practice, but ought to be provided against for the
future.
The evidence shows that there has been side
walks built Elm street for private parties,
wherein the city suffered by paying for of the
labor performed, and we would recommend that Mr..
Coyne or whomsoever received pay for building of
said sidewalks. be required to refund to the city
the amount paid for labor, which was improperly
charged to the city.
The office of Street Commissioner is one where
many irregularities are liable to occur and we rec
omnend that the Mayor aud Street and Alley Com
mittee should give the work in this department their
closest attention, and it should be the duty of the
interest in the city affairs will prevent abuses in
any department in the future. And we further rec
ommend that all street work be performed only as
directed or ordered by the City Council
In the taking of testimony in this allowed
great latitude, and matters not covered by the
charges mace against Mr. Warren, which were re
ferred to us, were inquired into freely and fully
and without strict rules of proceeding as we deem
ed it important that matter OF wrong connected
with the general charge should go unexamined for
any technical reason.
And submit this report for such action as
the Council may deem proper to take.
JAS. MAHONEY.
W, S. O'NEII..