Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1886-08-07
That Malfeasance Matter.

New YORK, Aug. 5.-The examination
by Mayor Grace into the charge made
against Commissioner Squires was contin-
ued today. The fifth charge, that of neglect
Of duty, whereby the interests and property
of the city had been damaged and impaired
was read, The charge refers to the Fifth
avenue requirement. job, and it is claimed
by the prosecution that after Squires had
| obtained S., 900 from the board of estimates
for the salary of the engineer and SUPER
intendent, and to carry on that work, he
neglected to appoint any one to that posi-
ton; therefore the work has been improp
erly performed The charge was passed
over and the sixth charge begun; regarding
the resignation of Gilbert NJ Spier, Jr;
the first witness called said he knew Her
bert o. Thompsop. had seen him short
time previous GA his death; Monday,
July 10, Thompso.l called at witnesses
Office and had a conversation with him.
From there he went to the Office of Mayor
Grace in Conover sqnare. Before he went
there, witness said, Thompson showed me
letter or paper. Letter of December
90 shown and identiied.) He told me had
taken the letter from box in the Safe
DepositScompany. He asked me to read it.
did so; then went to Mayor Grace and
Chamberlains Offices | remained in the
outer office while the others retired to the
inner office When Thompson came out
l asked him if he had given the letter up
and he said that he had. Then we got
into his coupe and drove away. After
Thompson died | had a conversation with
Flynn, it was Tuesday or perhaps Mon
day: l met him on Twenty-fourth street
accidentally; he told me that there was a
certain paper that belonged to himself
which Thompson had in his safe and he
would like to get it. [ told him that l did
not think it was there or in the safe. (He
referred to the letter. Nothing further
was said upon the subject as Immediately
afterward we were joined by party of
geht1ehen
Thcssewas no cross-examination
Auditor Lyon identified the signature to
the letter as being that of RollinM. Squires.
Strahn-Let me see that letter, trying
to snatch it from Peckham. Strain (glar
ing wildly around) called to Lyon: Lyon,
take the stand.
Lyon was not allowed to take the stand,
however, as Strain previously declined to
Luther Smith, ex-dept1ity collector of the
departmet of public works, also identified
the letter saying that is Squires' writing;
there can't be any doubt about it what
ever.
Strain, (disgusted) This is farce
Lawyer Miller-We don't propose to
have any farce about it, and you need make
no mistake on that point.
The letter read as follows:
NEW YORK, Dec 26, 1894
To Maurice p FLYNN Esq
DEAR SIR:-In consideration of your re-,
ceiving notice from the Democracy alder
man who shall vote for my. confrma-
ton as commissioner of pub
lie works in the event that
the mayor or shall send in my name for
that Office, hereby agree to place my res
ignation as commissioner, in case of my
confirmation, in your hands whenever you
may demand the same; further, to make no
appointments in said Office without your
approval, to make such removals therein as
you may suggest and request, and to trans
act the business of said office as you may
direct. Very truly,
RoLLIN NJ SQUIREs.
Witness knew Flynn; saw him frequent
ly at the office of the commissioner of pub
lie works. In the matter of appointments
every appointment was submitted to Flynn
for approval.