The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-03-08
TOFFICIAL PAPER.l
Wednesday. March s, 1882
THE MAJORITY REPORT.

| The report of the investigating Commit
tee signed by Alderman Mahoney and
O'Neil, is in many respect unique docu-
| ment. Ii is principally characteristic in its
lack of anything like a fixed opinion of
any kind, and is wonderful solely because
it neither hears, sees or considers anything
| It finds from the evidence that the Street
Commissioner about the 9th day of August,
caused to be delivered to John Roche, up
| on premises, near the corner of Twelfth
street and Fifth avenue, 1000 brick for
the private use, and convenience of Roche;
that Mr.. Roche paid Mr.. Warren for this
brick, and was given receipt therefor;
that the brick was hauled by one of the
teamsters of Mr. Lyon. the contractor;
that Mr.. Warren directed the teamster to
bring the brick to Mr.. Roche and to notify
Mr.. Lyon to charge the brick to
him (Warren) personally, and that Mr.
Lyon should have charged the same to Mr.
Warren, but from the evidence the brick
were charged to the city, and that subse-
quently Mr. Warren paid Mr.. Lyon for the
brick
All of which is undoubtedly true,
but at the same time it was alco
possible for the Committee to find
had they been so disposed
that Warren said he paid the teamster for
the brick, when he did not-in fact Mr..
Mr.. Mahoney himself stated in the meeting
that If Warren said 30 he lied; that the |
brick were charged to the city, and that |
Warren made no motion to pay Lyon him
self until some time after ths investigation |
was started. Ali these matters were in
evidence before the Committee but the
majority make no mention of it in their re
port.
In commenting on the above facts the |
Committee express their ideas
in rather strange language, as the strong
est form of words in condemnation is that |
they can not commend the practice.
In referring to the use of men and boys
on other than city work while they were
being paid by the city, the committee are
moved to forcible expression of their
feelings, and say that contrary practice
would have been more proper. more
proper and we can not commend" are
certainly striking words of contemplation.
A man who let's his widest feelings loose
n such terrific terms would make strong
advocate.
In regard to the collection of money from
aborers there IS an ambiguity in the re-
port. Before that, when the evidence was
Ill against Warren thu committee stated i
he facts as II there was a doubt about
hem, and rather drew the inference that
Warren was right, although there were
many witnesses of as good and perhaps
,etter reputation on the other side; but in
his instance Warren's statement is taken
IS absolute truth, and no other testimony
Gems to have been considered. although
dr Mahoney did call Warren a liar in his
poken argument.
But now comes another part of the re-
eport. Previously Warren had alone
cen considered and his finer feelings had |
zen very carefully handled with such
ernls as .smore proper and I'VE can not t
but now comes O'Connor, Coyne {
nd Kane and here the gloves are taken off. |
1Connor had a lot filed up-so did War .
tits styled an irregulsrity Money
as collected by O'Connpr, Coyne and {
-ane from the laboring men, and it was L
retty clearly proved thatsit went Into i
1arrenss pockets, but the !, committee
more that and style these collections as t
an outrageous imposition On the part Of !