The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-08-11
NEW YoRK's GREAT SCANDAL
Commissioner Esquire Testifies ir
His Own Behalf.
Squire and Flynn Indicted by the
Grand iJury.
They are BaiIed in the Sum of sio.-
900 Each.

NEW YORK, Aug. 10.-The hearing before
Mayor Grace of the charges against Commits
siorer of Public Works Squire was contlnu-
ed today The prosecution ended its case
Yesterday The Mayors office was crowded
with anxious spectators who were looking
for more developments. The announcement
was made early that Maurice b. Flynn
would appear and testify. Flynn was pres
ent, accompanied by Col. Robert G. lnger-
soil and r. S. Newcomb. Commissioner
Squire was also in attendance. MI. squire
was the first witness called ana sworn. he
testified that he was appointed COMMISSION
er of Public Works on Dec. 81, 1884. He had
known Hubert o. Thompson since 1888, ana
was afterward introduced to Mr.. Flynn. lie
formed an intimate acquaintance WIN
Thompson, and at his request went to the
Chicago convention. He wanted to use my
services in securing the vote OF the MasSa-
chusetts delegation. He acted as go-be-
tween between Gen. Butler, Collector Sim
sages were desired On returning to New
York he was more or less engaged In trying
to bring Butler to terms, as Thompson want
ed Butler to support his nominee
Lawyer Strahan-"Who was MS nomi-
A-Cleyeland; the first time the PROPOSE
ton was made that witness should be ap-
pointed Commissioner OF ,I Public Works seSna was
on Dec. "a, 1884: + IN IN Inompsohhs s rs of once nee.
vice to me-" said, how?. Thompson said,
'sYou are aware that politics are very mud
died at present. Edison has nominated a
man as Commissioner of Public WORKS
whom we don't want and we have stopped
it. Edison won't appoint me. Mayor, Grace
has been with me and has desired me to
get behind him and his nomination
pledging me at the same time that If elected
he would nominate me as COMMISSIONER OF
Public Works. Grace has gone back on me,
and l won't have it,. l said, let me know
what you want and l will assist you. Thomp-
son then advised me to go and see Mayor
Edison, and tell him that we had been school
his house on December oath, 1884, and said
to him: ''Mr. Mayor, my excuse Tor call
ing must be found in the fact that L have.
have message from Thompson told him
what Thompson had said, and referred to an
old school teacher, B. F. Perry Of Boston.
The mayor had not yet understood who
| Thompson had wanted made commissioner,
and he said, ssWho is this man, II am the
| Christmas, and / dined with the Mayor
| (Edson), and he, was ANXIOUS 70
hear iif would +o,d talk ak thy WITH didn!s ms
want to talk with Col Wood or any one else;
| After that on the same day | met Flynn and
| Thompson at the Worth House and after
| conversation Thompson and Went over 10
| the Hotel Brunswick and entered the read
| with Charles 2. Miller as the most plant
| man in New York in case we should require
| legal advice, and as man who has had ms
finger in every pie. Then Thompson said:
| sit seems to me that from the tone OF your
conversation with Edison that you may Sc
| cure his consent to your nomination. But
! the consummation of the act of confirmation
| is what we are after. Now we must have a
little writing from you ~ don't ia appTi2gye o OF
| do as | want you to do and it will be all right.
| Now write 'Decembec 25 1884," No, this is
| a holiday, make it 9th or 26th. You don't
| want a promissory note, | said. No, write
| Maurice B. Flynn, Esq. You had better adj
| Public Works. You needn't be afraid to
| write that which dictate, for it shan't be of
an discriminating nature. l said, Mr.. Thomp-
son this is dangerous business, and you are
cussion wrote the letter of Dec. 26, 1884
| TThe famous letter of resignation.] After
ward Thompson said: "Now, that's all
| right. Leave the rest to me-
Continuing, Mr.. Squires said: Flynn hand
| ed me letter which | showed to Mr. Brown,
who was present, and then l lit match and
burned the letter up, as l supposed. l was
afterwards nominated and confirmed by the
| votes of all of those who chose to vote for
| me- Mayor Edison afterwards asked me if
| had made any promises or pledges, and
told him l had made one rather expensive
| one but the letter which comprised it had
been burned Some time afterwards Mr..
Thompson called upon me, when l had be-
come commissioner of public works, and ask
ed me if would resign in his favor. said if
Mayor Grace will appoint you will get out.
The next day Mr.. Thompson called and said
the Mayor had agreed to appoint him. l
wrote my resignation and handed it r. Il.
Newcomb with Instructions Is, that it was to
nomination. first heard that the letter of
Dee. 26. 1884, was in existence through Law
YER YER Newcomb who told me in June, 1885,
that Thompson had told him he had it.