New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-12-12
CONTRACTORS AND POLITICIANS.
MEN WHO HAVE HAD MUCH TO DO WITH THE NEW
AQUEDUCT.

MEN WHO HAVE HAD MUCH TO DO WITH THE NEW
AoUEDUCT.
John O'Brien the Aqneduct contractor, ex-chairman
of the Democratic State Committee and receiver OF
tho Broadway Surface Railroad Company, is q close
applicant to business He gets down to his ONCE In
the Stewart Building early and is then ready Tor
consultations all the branches OF his Aqre con-
tract He keeps a keen personal watch upon his con-
tracts and takes good to have only trusted men
around him Mr.. O'Brien Is said by bis intimate
friends to have heart as big as bushel basket"
1t is thought by those who know him well that this
characteristic led him into the wool pulling" pro-
oess with Maurice B. Flynn more than any other
osuse. Flynn has the faculty OF divining the weak
points in . man and being the possessor also OF
pleasing address, he utilized his accomplishments
toward nveigling the unsuspecting john.
Flynn is emphatoally type OF New-fork product.
Keen, incsive. daring INSCRIPTIONS with nerve
winch would be the delight of Fourth Warder, he
has pursued his Unsuitable way until he has wotmed
himself into all sorts OF contracts The contract which
(Sedney channel fell to Flynn through Brsinerd
Brotbers bis representatives, and this has been no
factor in frightening the love OF Grace WINS Co. Tor
story is In circulation relative TO Mr. Flynn, which
certain persons say Is characteristic. Some years
ago he making frequent calls upon charming
Young woman and one evening he was caught IN q
pelting rain. Naturally the young woman lent pm an
umbrella for protection his return home. 1t was
umbrella for some weeks she sent him note REQUEST
ing at least the return OF her un brela. An umbrella
came a few days later. 1t a cotton thing which
had seen better days.
Heman Clark, the partner OF John OBren, is one
of the tall men of the city; but he is extremely
slender. His complexion is dark and he wears full
long beard with mustache both black but tnged with
eray Mr. Clark Is said to have II ade comfortable
fortune in his for building miles OF the
Northern Pacific Railway. He visits the ONCE OF
O'Brien & Clark in the early part OF the day. fresh
from a trip from YoDkers and then wends his way to
the Office OF Rathborne & Co. in which be and Aque-
duct Commissioner Baldwin reported to be silent
partners There Mr. Clark watches the tape intently.
Rollin H. Squire is to be seen occasionally wander
ing about the lower part OF the city At one time he
was making parade Of two more letters to him
from Governor Hill. relative TO appointments when
Squire was Commissioner of Public Works. bat for
sone reas On the display has lspsed into innocuous
desurtude while Governor Hill continues fishing for
the Presidency of the Unit&d States of America Mr.
Hill IL ia thought has determined to wait for the
year 1872 "a the eyentful one tor himself and
11olif;cisns cav that the on whom his eyes
intently fixed is William q. Whitney. MIR. Hill has
tr;rnds who have come the conclusion that per-
son behind the attacks on Squire and Flynn-and
ODrien indirecty-was the present Secretary OF the
Navy One purpose OF the onslaught which ended in
the Resignation of Mr.. OBrien was. they assert to
smjroh Governor Hill and make him an impossible
candidate tor the Presidency In 1872.