Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-08-11
SQUIRE AND FLYNN.
The New York Officials are Indicted by
the Grand Jury-The Hearing in the
Commissioners Case Continued Before
the MayOr-BOth Squire and Flynn
Under Arrest.

ne nearing before Mayor Grace of the
charges against Commissioners of Public
Works Squire, was continued Tuesday. The
prosecution ended its case Monday. The an
Douncement was made that Maurice B. Flynn
would appear and testify. Flynn was preseat
accompanied by Robert G. IngersolI and R
S. Newcomb.
Squire was the first witness sworn. He
testified he was appointed Commissioner of
Public Works on Dec, 3lst, "a. He had
known Hubert o. Thompson since 'S3, and
was afterwards introduced 10 Flynn. He
formed an intimate acquaintance with Thomp-
son, and at his request went to the Chicago
convention. He wanted to use his (Souire'sl
services in securing the vote of the Massa
chusetts delegation. The witness acted as a
go-between Gen. Butler, Collector Simmons
and others, and carried whatever messages
were desired On returning to New York. he
was more or less engaged in trying to bring
Butler to terms, as Thompson wanted Butler
to support his nominee. Lawyer Strahan
asked who was his nominee. Witness an
swered. "Clevelsnd' .
The first time the proposition was made
that the witness should be appointed commits.
sioner of public works was on Dec. "a 'S4, in
Thompson's office. Thompson said: II
think you can be of service to me-" | said
"how?" Thompson said 'You are aware
that politics are very muddled 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 nomina-
ton, pledging me at the same time that if he
was elected he would nominate me as COM
missioner of public works. Grace has gone
back on me and won't have it. / said,
=. II lry, hat
sist you" Thompson then advised me to go
and see Mayor Edison and tell him that we
had been school boys together. 1 called on
Mayor Edison at his house on Dec. "a, 1884,
and said to him, "Mr Mayor, my excuse for
calling must be found in the fact that | have
message from Thompson" | told him
what Thompson had said, and referred to our
old teacher, B. Z. Perry of Boston. The
Mayor had not yet understood who Thompson
had wanted made commissioner, and he said
"Who is this MANI" Il am the man." re-
piled.
The next day was Christmas, and dined
with Mayor Edison, and he was anxious to
know if would talk with his brotherin-law.
| told him | did not 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 Thomp-
entered the reading room there. We talked
about consulting with Charles z. Miller as
the most plant man in New York in case we
should require legal advice, and as a man
who had had his finger IN every pie. Then
Thompson said, ''It seems to me that from
the tone of your conversation with Edison
that you may secure his consent to your nom-
ination. But the contamination of the act of
confirmation is what we are after. Now we
want a little writing from you
Squire then explained that after the discus
sion he wrote at Edson's dictation the famous
letter of resignation.
Continuing, Squire said, Flynn handed my
letter which l showed to MIR. Brown, who
was present, and then | lit match and
burned the letter up, as | supposed. l was
afterwards nominated and confirmed by the
votes of all those who chose to vote for me.
Mayor Edison afterwards asked me if had
made my promises or pledges, and | told him
had made one, rather an expensive one, but
the letter which comprised it had been
burned Sometime afterwards Thompson
called on me when had become commission
er of public works and asked me if | would
resign IN his favor | said il Grace will
appoint you | will get out The next dav
Thompson called and said the mayor agreed
to appoint him and wrote my resignation and
handed it to r. S. Newcomb, with instruc-
tions that it was to be used only in the event
of Thompson's nomination. first heard that
the letter of Dec. 26, 1884, was in existence,
through Lawyer Newcomb, who told me in
June, 1885, Thompson told him he had it. 1
told Flynn of this, and he said
"If that is so I'm afraid he will make
trouble for You"
Flynn claimed that Thompson had deceived
,,e 10th eo,I oop1unt 10 hnth Il
cruel and shameful" and | went to see
Thompson. 'Oh, WELL" he said, ''its only
politics after ALL" "Politics be damned" |
told him; 'this day hencetorth you go your
way and I'll go mine," and have.
Witness then denied having expressed the
remarks attributed to him by Cham oerlain
IvIns when they met in Broadway restau-
rant and denied having sid that the letter of
resignation was made out at Flynn's request.
On the contrary he said the witness WINS
said Squire, you and are both men of the |
world; now you know a good thing when you
see it; have you any price for your Officer
.'Where | came from" the witness an
swered, ''they try to find out how much the
buyer is willing to give. How much will you
gve?"
"We are willing to purchase at reasona-
Bile price," Ivids replied.
"My price is my good name" Squire re-
piled stiffiy, and left the room.
Witness denied having told Judge Spencer
he wrote the letter of resignation as joke.
Witness denied ever having seen the letter
from Chief Engineer Birdsall, calling atten-
tion to the errors in the pay rolls, by which
men called axemen there were employed as |
clerks.
After recess when the examination of
Squire was about to be resumed, his counsel |
addressing the mayor said ~ have just |
been informed that indictments had been |
found against Squire and also against Flynn, |
and | move that proceedings stand over till |
Thursday" The motion was granted and |
the hearing adjourned
Rollin NJ. Squire and Maurice B. Flynn
were arrested here today, charged with mis-
demeanor in entering into compact by which |
Squire was to conduct the business of the |
department of public works in the interest of /
Flynn. They were held in $40 900 each and |
Flynn's father-in-sw Theodore Moss became |
his bondsman, Squire obtaining bail later. |
The two men were indicted by the grand jury |
at 1.30 P. NJ.
Shortly after o'clock, Flynn, accompa-
MED by Lawyer Newcombe, entered District |
Attorney Marines office and asked if he had |
been indicted. Receiving an affirmative |
reply, he said, ''then / wish TO surrender"
The amount OF bail was fixed at once, Lawyer |
Newcomb unsuccessfully objecting to the |
amount as excessive for a man charged sim |
ply with misdemeanor.
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