New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-12-27
MR.. THOMPSON'S FRIENDS.

able investigation OF Inc department VI uOiiN
Works ever see the light, the story Will be one
of the most curious and interesting Ill the ms
tory of the city. THE TRIBUNE has told great
deal. But it has by no means exhausted the
rich store of information which that committee
accumulated. Some of it may never be known
to the public. A part of it is doubtless securely
locked in Mr.. Grady's capaciOus breast, and we
fear that when Mr. Thompson made his peace
with Mr.. Kelly in May of last year, the Tam
many Senator threw away the key. But
enough has been disclosed to expose the char
acter of the agents whom Mr. Thompson has
been using to scatter the city money where 1t
will most benefit his friends, his faction and
himself
There is Mr.. John Barry, the tavern-keeper,
whose modest little inn near McCOmb's Dam
Bridge is a favorite resort for drivers Of horses
with records in the vicinity of 2:15. AS Mr..
Barry deity mixed the mildly stimulating cock
tail or cunningly compounded the soothing hot
Scotch, his mind was far away from city con-
tracts and rock excavations, vouchers and war
rants. But tempter entered into his Eden and
visions of unbalanced bids and 5000 orders
mingled with the incense of his Havana. lnafew
days Mr.. Barry was full-fedged city contractor,
buying materials Of which he knew nothing from
persons of whom he had never heard, trusting
with child-like confidence to the measurements
of the department inspectors, but always ex-
tremely careful that the carting was done by the
right person and that his warrants should be IN
stantly turned into bank notes. There was
something about check that was distasteful
to Mr. Barry. He always insisted on cash.
Singular preference, wasn't it'll
But no more singular than the character of
some of the men from whom no bought
materials These retiring persons seemed
shy of the tax collector and the drcc-
tory maker 1t was impossible to discover their
places of abode or their places of business.
Finally by the exercise of marvellous detective
skill the church which one of them attended
was found out. But this religious but
elusive person, though constant in his at
tendance on Sunday services, when sub
penas could not be served, disappeared from the
view of men at all other times, and the swift
footed messengers of the committee sought for
him in vain.
Another popularity about Mr.. Barry's
business methods was tho fortuitOus way
in which he learned that large quantities
of rock which the city had paid round
DTlCe 10 nave Jdken OUT VI a SllccO COulu
be procured by him at almost nominal figures in
order that he might sell it to the city at hand
some advance. So the City of NewYork pays
roundly to have rock taken out for tho benefit
of contractor who then charges big price for
supplying that same rock to the city.
And the benevolent person who put it
into Mr.. Barry's head to embark in these lu-
crative ventures, and who seems never to have
been weary in supplying his pet nnkeeper with
information as to ways in which he could make
money out of the city, was James j. Mooney,
Mr.. Thompsons intimate friend and associate.
But this same Mr.. Mooney was holding posi-
ton of public trust in Mr.. ThOmpson's depart
ment. He was the Superintendent of Roads
and Avenues. Do the taxpayers of New-York
pay the salary of Superintendent In the De-
partment of Public Works in order that he may
betray the citys interests for the enrichment of
innkeepers3
This Mr.. Mooney has some eccentricities Of
temperament that might be worth the thorough
study of the Grand Jury. He evidently has no
faith in the stability of our banking institutions
or safe deposit companies. Not one of them is
secure enough for him. SO he carries around in
his pocket FIVE or six bills of one thousand dol
lars cuCIl, anu uNC VI OLA luOlO VI tlO oauiO
comfortable denomination in his safe at home.
Meanwhile for two years he keeps bank ac-
count of one dollar and t,0enty eight cents! Odd
business methods those Of Mr.. Mooney, who is,
however, to be congratulated on his prosperity
with salary of SIS, 900 per year
People may remember that after the Tweed
robberies were exposed, some important discov-
cries were made by the tracing of checks and
the comparison of bank accounts. Mr.. Thomp.
sons friends were not born yesterday.