New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-04-22

He first heard of the bill therefor after its intro
duction into the Legislature. He knew of no ne
eessty existing for the then reorganization of the
Commission
Mr.: Spencer had heard nothing about the bill.
nor did he have any conversation with any one
about it until 1t was amended He had heard of
the introduction at the same session Of what was
known as the Bruins bill. There were two bills
| introduced into the Assembly and one in the Senate
according to copies thereof offered In evidence by
General Tracey and marked for Identification. In
reply to questions by the chairman, the witness
detailed how the minutes of the Commission were
made up. The minutes were, the witness said, a
full and complete record Of what took place at
the Board meetings, minutes of all contracts
awarded, dismissal or engagement Of employees, etc.
The witness next referred to the duties PEI
formed by Mr.. McCulloch secretary of the Com
mission and Of the Committee on Real Estate, the
substitution Of Mr.. Sheehan as secretary OF the
Commission and the retention of Mr.. McCulloh at
the witnesses earnest recommendation as secretary
Of the Committee on Real Estate The salary of
Mr.. McCulloh before the change was Sc 000 a
year. the salary of the present secretary 81 O0(
year. and that Of Mr. McCulloh In his present
office IS, 900 year. Before leaving the stand the
Commissioner said that the contracts awarded to
OBrien g. Clark were at less figure than the
estimates Of cost Of the work made by the en-
ginee>.
THE NOTE THAT THE GOVERNOR SIGNED
Thomas W. Robinson. cashier of the Mount Morris
Bank, Of which John O'Brien is director,
testified in relation to that note for $4,000
signed by Governor Hill and Endorsed by Heman
Clark and John OBrien individually which Mr.
Robinson said was presented to the bank for sale
not for discount by the Governors law partner.
William L. Muller The maker Of the note was
Mr. Hill No sooner had the Governors name been
mentioned than Senator Pierce started up to in
quire what all this had to do with investigating the
Aqueduct General Tracy continued his probing
and elected the date of the note It was made
m October and
IL was taken up on the day before it became due
NO other note bearing the signature of Hill he
SAID was purchased by the bank which: he added,
was continually discounting for Clark d O'Brien.
SQUIRE CAUSES RIPPLE.
AT this point stoutly built ruddy-faced
middle-aged man, with graceful mustache and
attired in new spring suit of dark brown material
entered the room, bearing his silk hat in his hand
and looking as calm a summer lake. Every
one recognized him instantly as the former official
chief of the Public Works Department, Rollin M.
Squire He glanced around the ROOM but en-
countered only impassive stares from those with
whom he had formerly been on the most cordial
terms Of intimacy.
This did not seem to dsconcert Mr.. Squire in the
least. He sat down near John O'Brien, and was
about to make a more careful survey of his sur
roundings when General Tracy called him to the
stand. He kissed the Bible most reverentlv and
then seated himself for the ordeal with the most
cOmplacent air imaginable.
"Mr. Squire" said General Tracy, you were
at one time Commissioner of Public Works
/ am how Commissioner of Public Works"
was the prompt reply that made every one smile
except the witness
In response to a few more questions from General
Tracy, Mr. Squire then gave general account of
his appointment by Mayor Edison and his career
while in the Public Works Department
MAYOR EDSoN's FRIENDSHIP.
Mr.. Squire said that he was appointed on De-
school together. and this fact was the basis of
his appointment. His application for the place
was made at the suggestion of Thompson. In
giving his version of the circumstances con.
nected with the production of his letter to Maurice
B. Flynn, Squire gave substantially the same ac-
count that he did In his investigation before
Mayor Grace. He wrote the letter in the Hotel
Brunswick at Thompson's dictaton on Geptem-
Der %, Ss4. After signing the letter he explained
its dangerous character, and told Thompson that
he would never consent to allow him TO retain it
until after he had consulted Judge Gidersleeve.
The Judge Endorsed Squire's view Of the matter.
Squire tried to get the letter from Thompson,
but failed. lie went to Flynn about it. Flynn
told him that he was fool to give such letter
to any one, but promised to get IL from Thomp-
son for him. On the following Monday the let
ter that Squire Supposed 10 be the original was re-
turned to him at the Worth House and burned.
and others that he would never take the Office
vi this letter had been destroyed. 1t was not un-
til some months afterward that he found il was
only reproduction Of the letter that had been
returned to him.
In May 1885, the witness continued, Richard
u. Newcom6e told him that he thought Mayor
Grace would give Thompson Squire's place il he
iSqulrel would resign. Squire said he would do
so. and then learned for the first time that the
fatal letter was still in existence. Squire went
TO Thompson about II. Thompson admitted the
truth OF Newcombes statement, but remarked
" it was only little matter of politics." an ex-
PLANTATION that drew forth a strong expression Of
condemnation from Mr.. Squire.
HILL WANTED sQUIREs SUPPORT
In the fall Of that year Governor Hill who was
o candidate for reelection. solicited Saures sup
port. It was given heartily despite the threats
Of war on the part Of Mayor Grace, who had seen
the letter by this time. The witness defed Grace
to do his worst By December Of that year tho
rumors about the letter had become so thick that
Squire wrote letter TO Mayor Grace, declaring
that all letters signed by him In reference TO re-
signing from the Public Works Department were
thereby recalled. Previous TO laying this before
the Mayor no told the Governor all about the
letter.
Mr.. Hills reply was rcassurng He declared
! THAT he yArfeefJv satig6eQ with Sauire'R