The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1882-02-25
PRESENTATION PARTY.
How Warren got his New and
Costly Watch.
Examining Witnesses at the
Session Last Night.

The Investigation of the charges against
Street Commissioner Warren were contin-
ued last night until nearly midnight as the
members of the committee manifested a
desire to rush the examination of witnesses
so as to conclude the business before eter-
nifty makes its appearance.
Tue three foremen engaged under War
rem were on the stand, and their conflict
ing testimony was subject OF general
conversation. Kane never made any as
sessments, although he admitted that he
had collected money from the men that had
been advanced by Warren.
O'Connor made clean breast of it, and
told how he paid Warren the money as it
was collected from the men. He also adj
mitted that he lied right and left when
talking about the assessment outside Of
the committee room.
Coyne admitted that he collected $12
from the men, which amount he kept in
his possession for over year. Matthews
was the originator of the donation bust
ness, and Matthews suggested that a
watch. in place of the engineer instrU-
ments. be given to Warren.
The testimony in detail is subjoined;
FRED HAss
testified concerning the removal of dirt
from his yard. It was the understanding
that the dirt was to be used in front of
witness house to fill up the street. He
had never paid Warren anything or given
him any inducement to remove the dirt.
Warren refused to remove the dirt from
the rear of witness place of business.
JAMES KANE
was recalled. He stated that he was en-
gagged to do some work at the foot of
Eleventh street. He had three men under
him at that time. He worked for the city
every day while he had the contract to do
the work at the foot of Eleventh street.
The contract was taken from Mr.. Judge, of
the gas works. This was during the month
of August Witness told some of the
teamsters not to pay money to Ooyne, as
he was informed that Warren did not
want present from the men. Never had
O conversation with O'Connor about the
assessment of the laborers. Witness had
a contract to dig gas ditch on Third
avenue. It took him about two weeks.
He could not remember the month. He
was not in the employ of the city at that
time Mr. Judge paid him for the work,
Could not remember when he was paid.
STEPHEN o'ooNNoR
was also recalled. Witness had some
trouble with Kane while they were both at
work for the city. The trouble arose in
Kane coming down where witness was en-
gagged as foreman aud trying to supplant
him Witness refused to obey Kane who
told witness to go to different place where
some work was in progress. Witness
refused to go. and said he would quit work
ratheF-than obey Kane. Witness did stop.
and returned home. In short time wit
ness was recalled to work as Warren did
not stand by Kane's action. Kane told
witness in the spring that Warren was a
poor man, and Kane thought it would be q
good thing for the teamsters and Others
employed by the city to assist him. Wit
ness had collected money from teamsters /
and had given it to Warren in installments.
Warren said he was glad the men thought
SO well of him. Warren knew where the |
money came from, Witness paid money
to Warren at his house several times, also
while Warren was in the barn. and also at
the Methodist church. Witness informed
Warren at one time, that Kane had told
men working for witness not to pay money |
to witness but to pay it to Kane. Warren
said that he had given Kane no such in |
structions or authority Witness paid
Warren money at his house about five 1
times, No one was around when the |
money was paid, He paid Warren twice
ct the barn. He paid Warren 81 at the
Methodist church, and S15 or more at the |
ss11H INIfUn0G yad for ANot
book in which he kept the assessments but |
could not find it. Witness thought that |
he had paid Warren at the Methodist |
church during the month of September. |
Witness never had any conversation with |
Warren rs to how Warren was to use the
money which had been raised. Other fore
men had collected money. Witness had |
zen Kane collect money. He knew that /
Conway, shehaa snd Bisant had paid
money to Kane. The men had told wit |
less that they had paid money to Kane.
AN INTERRUPTION.
Conway, yho was present, interrupted /
he proceedings at this point by a statement
hat he was growing tired OF waiting for |
lis turn to testify. Conway was told that (
.e must not interfere with the investga-
ion, but he refused to remain quiet. and 7
eft the room denaunciRg the time he had
,een waiting before the committee.
Order having been restored the examine
ion was continued. and the witness stated
hat he had put down the amounts paid by
aborers as they were collected. Witness
objected the money on the streets during
he day. usually right after pay day. He
lways put the amounts paid down in the
'ook before it was turned over to Warren.
Alderman Henry had visited witness, and
Witness had told him that when he was
ndar cath he would tell the truth
Witness had conversation with Alderman
Ienry last night, and witness had told him
ertain men had not paidshim any money.
Witness had told Alderman Henry an
ntruth. Witness felt that be was not
blged to tell Henry the truth when he
yas not under oath. Witness felt that it
ras none of Alderman Henry's business.
he only place where witness had told the
nth in regard to the assessment was be- .
sre the committee; al every other place
nd 60 everybody else he had lied,
WI. JUDGE.
superintendent of the gas works, stated
nat the first ditch dug for the gas company
as in August. The first payment for
aat work was on the 30tlE At that
me $50. "a was paid to Warren. The next !,
ayment was TO Kane, and was on Nov I.
g. The amount was s95. In Nov
GO was paid to Kane, this was about the {