New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-05-23
FLYNN PUT ON THE STAND.
HIS CASE AGAINST YOUNG Mr.. WINS.

Wins investigation, after many postponemcnts came
of yesterday in the Commissioners office in the
Stewart Building. The room in which 1T was held
was o small one, so that the number OF spectators
was limited. Commissioner Sherman sat at the
head of the long table, while Commissioner DAILY
occupied chair a little to the right. City Cham
berlan Wins moved his seat to within an easy
whispering distance of Commissioner Sherman.
Assistant Corporation Counsel Thomas y. Wickes
took his place between the two Commissioners TO
give such legal assistance as might be required.
Mr. Flynn, in spring suit and looking cool and col
lected, soon arrived and took the chair prepared
for him near the head Of the table. The witness
was accompanied by his counsel Robert Payne, and
his secretary, Colonel Theodore A. Hamilton.
Mr. Flynn's examination occupied about an hour.
1t began with questions propoundcd by Mr. Shear
man, bat framed audibly by Mr.. WINS, and con-
tinued in this fashion until Mr.. Flynn in answer
ing referred to them as asked by the gentleman
who seems to be conducting this examination
when Commissioner Daily interposed, and suggested
that Mr.. WINS be quiet until after Mr. Flynn got
through with his direct testimony. Nevertheless,
Mr.. WINS continued to I" put in his oar" evidently
to the witnesses annoyance. Mr.. Flynn gave his
testimony with excellent assurance and the manner
of a man who thought he making damaging
disclosures, but it cannot be said that he brought
forward anything either new q startling.
READING THE CHARGES AGAINST WINS.
The witness acknowledged that the newspaper
reports of his interview published on May 2 were
substantially correct and Mr.. Sherman read from
the clippings in asking questions. The principal
| reflections upon MIR. Ivins's official standing were
these Mr.. WINS admits that his net income is
over $4,000 per year Does he include in this
the fees that his brother receives as searcher upon
fhp oh L.
bcrlan, makes loans? Does he include
in this the benefit which is received by the firm
Of which he is member by reason
Of the manipulation OF the city balances to favor
lite banks Does he also include the saving
OF once rent he effects by occupying rooms the
rent OF which is paid by the city, wnen the law
clearly states that such rental must be paid out OF
his income as Chamberlain? viii Mr. Wins ex-
plain why, as City Chamberlain, he kept con-
stantly IN the Fourth National Bank, while Cor
neilus ~ Bliss was president, seldom less than
$4,000 600 of the peoples money, and sometimes
as much as 100000? Will he state the con-
nection between his firm and Cornelius n. Bliss
Will he tell why the deposits were reduced below
100000 when j. Edward Simmons, who is not
regarded as in great favor with ex-Mayor Grace,
succeeded Mr.. Bliss as president? Pr
In answer to the Commissioners questions, Mr.
Flynn maintained that he was certain that the
charges which these insinuations rested upon were
susceptible Of proof, but when pressed to give o
direct answer to whether he could furnish pres
ent proof to sustain Them he was obliged to adj
nit that he was not in possession of any III the
Commissioners would give him authority to ex-
anime Ivins's and William r. Grace & Co.'s books
and those Of the banks which were the citys desg
mated Repositories he would employ an expert ac-
countant at his own expense and was sure that
he could discover evidence to sustain all that he
had asserted; This he repeated again and again
when urged by Mr.. Sherman, as he went over the
charges, to give the grounds for them. The
charges and insnuatons against Mr.. WINS and
against the firm" which he said meant William
r. Grace & Co Mr., Flynn constantly reasscrted;
He admitted that he knew Of nothing which would
reflect upon Cornelius n. Bliss.
THE HIGHPRICED CHAMBERLAIN TEsT1F1Es
When Mr.. Flynn's examination was over he
left the room with his counsel, and Mr. WINS took
his place in the witness chair. lie gave detailed
statement of his duties and powers as City Cham
berlain and described the mode Of doing business
He denied all Mr. Flynn's charges and innuendoes.
In speaking of his expenses, he had said that he
owned all the books in the office, and had right
to remove them If he desired
Mr. Daly-Do I understand you to say that you could
take away the books records with you left the
onlce Of City Chamberlain tomorrowl Al don't care
go into that question They are my personal prop
erty. / paid out Of my salary as Chamberlain.
Mr. Daly-Then that is manfestly wrong The tue 10
those books should be in the city alone.
Mr. Ivins-I wish to make no statement except 10 say
that the nnuendoes put forth unquaihedy false that
they come from who has been under indictment;
that they difficult the proper administration
tho business OF the city by an o1clal under nan
million dollars bonds irresponsible Misrepresentation OF
this kind for which proof exists the witness has
testified only purpose in the world and that Is 70
malgn tho olceholder, bring his Office into dlsrepute
and debar intelligent and sensitive men Of integrity from
entering the public service at all.
As he was leaving the stand Mr. Wins re
marked that this matter would soon be the
subject of judicial investigation, which was
taken to mean that he intends TO- P InGs t5an
started for the door, but he did not get lar before
he returned in n rage. He had learned that Mr.
dozen type-wrtten pages arraigning Mr. Ivias's
administration Of the office of City Chamberlain
and giving sections of law, which 1t was said,
had been violated. Looking around at the re-
porters he assumed defiant attitude and IN
| voice which alternated between a growl and u
whine, he said that he wanted all editors, pup,
fishers and propretorS Of newspapers to understand
that he intended to hold them each and every one
| responsible in the courts for attacks upon his
| character He would prosecute them each and
| ali. If it involved him in hundred lawsuits.
He wished all the papers represented distinctly 10
| understand that he would defend himself and
his official and personal reputation Ins notlt-
cation he said was general but especially intended
| for The New-York Tribune, and turning 10 tnc
| Tribune reporter, he said: " And you can put IL
| in the belly of your report This type-wrtten
defamation has got TO stop"
THE PAPER THAT PUT WINS IN A RAGE
The typewriter defamation, which Mr. Flynn's
| secretary said had been prepared by three well
| known lawyers OF acknowledged ability, quotes
from sections 65, l 67 and GO Of the Consolda-
ton Act, as showing the Chamberlain's duties in
| various particulars; also from section so oil
chapter 4lO OF the laws Of 1882. The statement
| is then made that large sums of money have
been paid Mr.. Wins as Chamberlain by orders
made in the civil and criminal courts of the
city, which he has invested by the courts di-
| rection and has received and paid over the in
terest upon such investments, for which he should
have collected the legal fees and accounted for
| the same to the city treasury required by
| said section Go. In the Chamberan's reports
| TO the Mayor published IN " The City Record !"
Mr. Flynn says he finds no statement showing
what money has been paid TO him as Chamber
lain by order of the courts, of any investments
| made nor payment OF interest upon such invest
ments what fees have been collected by him
and accounted for to the city treasury. The oc-
the Chamberlain, the rent Of which, Mr.. Flynn