New-York tribune., 1886-08-12
GRACE, SQUIRE AND FLYNN.
HOW LONG DID THE MAYOR KNOW OF The
CORRUPT LETTER.
A STORY THAT THOMPSON SHOWED 1T TO HIM LAST
FEBRUARY-IvINs SAID TO HAVE KEPT 1T
FOR MONTHS SENS ATIoNAL DIS

There is little doubt that the moment selected by thc
strctAttorncy as the proper time to arrest Com-
missioner Squire and Maurice b. Flynn not an ac-
cidcnt. There those who declare that it was care
fully and deliberately chosen and that it was so timed
to interrupt the testimony offered In the hearing De-
fore tho Mayor In defence of Commissioner Squire. vi
IL was impossible for Mr. Stahan to go on when
1t was definitely ascertaned that indictments had been
| found against Flynn and his client. According to
some wise men about the City Hall it arranged be-
tween Mayor Grace and Distrct-Attorney MARITIME that
they to allow the defence to open and Squire to
go the stand and testify sufficiently to disclose to
them the nature of his defence But when he had got
that far he to be arrested The arrest 1t was be-
heved would require Mr.. Strahan to call halt. lie
would probably not desire to 90 and show his entfe
hand. The Mayor would magnanimously say that lie
appreciated the position of Mr.. Squre's counsel ana
not disposed to them to proceed with this
hearing In view Of the criminal proceedings. by fol-
lowing out this neatly arranged scheme Mr.. MARITIME
would learn enough of the defence to enable him to
prepare for meeting it and the Mayor would be saved
the exposures which Mr.. Strahan had so distinctly
promised would be made at his expense.
Whether or not this was Squires friends assert,
deliberately settled scheme it was, at all events
carried out to the letter Squire told the witness
stand all that necessary for Mr. MARITIME to know
in order to study mp every question of law likely TO be
raised in such n case and to all the strong ana
weak points of tho defence. But at that point the
arrests took place Mr.. Strahan forced to ask for
Adjournment and the prosecuting lawyers offered no
objection but the contrary said that they would
be glad to accommodate him. Flynn not allowed
to 20 the stand and deny Chamberlain lyinss SIN
guar story Of the confidence reposed in him by the
tuto Thompson and tho sagacious Flynn. Deputy
Commi-sio Smith not permitted to tell dam
aging tale that he is known TO have on his tongues end
for Mayor Graccs benefit Judge Gilderslceyc was
not allowed TO corroborac Squire aud impeach nomp
son. If tho Wins story of Thompson's disclosures be
true Tie full extent of this blockade is only realized
when ii is considered that unless the hearing goes on
Sduircs counter disclosures will never be known. Mr..
Srahan openly declared that before the hearing was
done Mayor Grace would be the most Injured man OF
all But the revelations can never come out in court
of law. They not evidence there. Mr. Strahan
adopted when the charge about the letter was
reached which then excited much surprise but is
seen TO have been shrcwl. Addressing the Mayor be
said in effect that It was settled by the Court of
Appeals that tins hearing a court oi Lass IN which
the rules OF evidence must obtain; that III hghtng the
change, against Mr. Squiros official conduct he had
insisted on the application OF those rules that none
knew better than the prosecuting lawyers that they
had no right 20 pat In evidence against Squire what
Thompson told Mr. Speir nybody else unless the
defendant we're present but h- client had instructed
him 10 oppose the introduction Of no evidence whioh
bore however remotely, on the subject of the Flynn
letter, with regard that all Mr. Squire wanted was
that the whole truth should come out So proceed
ed Mr. Strahan. "yOG can put III all the stun ana
garbage You like and you will hear no word OF
protest from me-"
This candid ohcr amazed the Mayor and Citizen"
Miller. But without pccring beneath Mr.. Strahan's
frank and rgcnuous exterior. they fell into his trap
His scheme was 10 place them In such position that
they would not dare oppose him when his turn came
If he let them put in every kind Of iuadmissblc
evidence certainly they could not be any less oblisng
Oh their part or if they did he would appeal to the
public and say: What spectacle these men arc
making OF themsclves We did not apply the
gag when Wins. Spcir and john O'Brien told mess
of stuf which court OF law could admit On tho
contrary. gave them n full rein Bnt now they
dare not hear tho story we can tell They apply the
gag" In order to fix them firmly In this tIap he
OBJECTED and them to some lire of evidence. Then
Citizen" Miller. with an air of being vastly clever
would say: " l. this the way you keep Your "oIu
II Mr. Stratan had put the language IN his mouth II
conld not have suited him better lie would reply;
"All right give me your Hs.u'ance that tug I,
evidence has bearing on the letter, and VIII
withdraw the objection Miller would promptly
give 1t aud strahan would subsdc laughing in his
sleeve at tie situation In which he had placed 'he
Mayo and the Citizen
According to the knowing ones. ii was when MesSrs.
Grace and Miller finally discovered the niue game
that had been played them that they arranged with
Mr.. MARITIME TO time his arrests as To oicstai inc
dccnccs disclosures Since the ad lournment 'ooh'i
Ingerso Mr.. Newcom5e and Mr.. Stahan nave
been in consultation 10 the wisdom oi proceeding
with the hearing. The decision rests with them'
but Colonel ngcrscll is said TO advise against IT, on
the ground that they have told enough "f ther
defence to Mr.. MARITIME already. and that 1t Tould not
be wise to let Mr. Flynn tell his story at tins ucture.
lie urges that cngc il less inn ortan than safety.
4 iuftu .ly fed
a THIBUSE reporter last night that had Squircs
defence not been interrupted It would nave I pyoh
arlng. 4" Ii might not have saved squire, he sau'
bat IL would have put trace in the worst possioio
light II the Commissioner had gone down ho would
have pulled the Mayor with him. IiIt lilBG NE;
see laughs at Squircs story and says that nobody WIZ
believe IT, That's all right, but | kno" 1t 10 be true
How do you know ~
Hubert q. Thompson told me so. l should nave
been called by Strahan if the nearing had gone on,
and summoned 10 attend to morrow don
know whether or not they have d, cided 10 30 ON with
the case but think they have. Squire is very anxious
to 20 Well, IA was saying was to he a witness
and to tell of an interview had with thompson
last February. He sent for just after ccarthey
discharge from the department. He was absolutely
furious lie asked me whether was g5ng TO stand
by him or squire | rather ev9ded the qTesn0hn, qsn hs
which did not mako him any pleasanter. men no
cursed Squire from top to bottom. III rum hih no
said, no matter what 1t costs IL IL only necessary
for TO want thing done for hin not To- 90 u.
have made up my III nj TO settle nm once ior all
In fact, I've done it,
a. How asked.
80 I've given that letter up lac answered.
- The Flynn letter + asked.
% Yes he said. ,.
IL couldn't avoid expressing my disgust and saii IL
was the direst thing had ever heard of. on know
very well that you surrendered that letter or forgery
Of il 10 Squire aud he burned il before he was
nominated SAID. ~
The blaDkcd fool thought he had burned 1t, he
replied, but guess he knows by this time th',t lie
didn't. At all events he will know il pretty soou.
To whom did you give itf inquired.
a. took IL down to Mayor Grace today, he sad
Mind you now this was last February. took It
do ~n to Mayor Grace aud handed il to him TO read;
When he had done told him he might have II aud
it IL threat to make Squire resign. lie woudnt
do that He said if he took it he should feel com
peeled 10 bring up investigation. charge Squire WIN
writing it and him. That. OF course, would
have placed in embarrassing position was