New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-04-29

AND HIS PROTEGE-AN UNWILLING" W.T.
NESS AGAINST GOVERNOR HILL-H1S
MAN CLARR'S MEMORY STRAINED
BY GENERAL TRACY-sEvERAL
PEOPLE INTERESTED IN
AQUDUCT CONTRACTS
BESIDES oBRIEN
AND CLARK
Maurice B. Flynn unbosomed himself yesterday
before the Senate Investigating Committee, and
told an apparently truthful story. He has never
been q witness as to the subjects under inquiry,
30 that his testimony is all new. He corrobo-
rated ex-CommissiOner Rolliu NJ Squire as to the
circumstances under which the noted letter of
December 20 1884 was written, and as to the
destruction by Squire in his presence and that of
Mr.. Brown, FlynnS brOthcrin-law, of what was
By both principals supposed to be the original of
that letter.
He detailed the circumstances Of ex-Mayor
Grace's last nomination telling how nobody else
would run against Mr.. Grant, the Tammany
nominee how Grace desired to rum and Thomp-
son finally consented TO his nomination; how
Grace insisted on preliminary citizens move
ment," and how sham citizens meeting was
held packed with men sent TO attend it by Grace
himself and the County Democracy leaders. He
told of Graces pledge to renominate Thompson
TO the Public Works Department and OF his sub
sequent refusal to keep his promise; Of the Squire
trick by which n supposed County Democracy
dummy was got into the Office Of the develop
ment in Squire of an ambition altogether unfore-
seen by Thompson; of Graces bid for Squlres
support, in which the Mayor was forestalled by
Governor Hill, and of Grace'S threats TO get
Squire out of Office.
Flynn's exposures of William NJ. WINS, Gracc's
spy were conclusive and complete. He told of
Ivinss offers TO him to bride Squire TO resign
lie repeated two thoroughly characteristic stories
Ttvivc clra6
him once If he had ever read Machiavellis
Prince and, upon his confession that his lit
erary studies had been neglected in that respect,
WINS significantly said that Machiaveli therein
held that cunning, collision and subtlety" were
the secrets Of political success, and that they over
came rugged integrity every time Upon an
other occasion WINS told him that Henry j.
RAYMOND had said that the public were asses
and had TO be fed on straw
GOVERNOR HILL COMES TO THE FRONT
Flynn required much pressure to induce him to
implicate Governor HILL and it was only under
compulsion that he answered questions concern
ing the AQuednct deals and the note Of 81 1000
made by the Governor and Endorsed by OBrien &
Clark He finally acknowledged that he, John
keenan, and Colonel Mooney, John Kelly's private
secretary, had each one-sixth interest in the
profits of O'Brien Il Clark, and that he had con-
sented TO apply his interest III Section . to the
payment Of the Governors note. This evidence
was fully corroborated by Contractor Clark
Before any witnesses were called the chairman
said that the two gentlemen representing the
minority in the committee so far as political
beliefs are concerned" had presented in executive
session statement respectfully insisting the
necessity and propriety Of employing add
tonal counsel to aid the committee in its investi
cation and in the conduct OF the proceedings;
and that this request was held in allegiance for
the present, and might receive favorable action in
the future.
TESTIMONY OF CONTRACTOR
General Tracy then summoned Charles Peter
,on. contractor, who testified that he was doing
The work on Section q Of the Aqueduct, having
taken il from O'Buen 81 Clark at i per cent Of
their contract price
Nv the chairman-Haye you any writing Of your
agreement with o. Brten ClarKf
The gitness-I have a memorandum
Q-what Is the nature OF III Alt was something
lie letter.
OWL you state what your recollection Is Of its
contents. Alt proposition 10 take that
work and do for IL per cent less man their contract
Q-Where was that memorandum made Al
think IN O'Brlen & Ciarks Office
Q.-who were PRESENT. AIR O'Brien, Mr.. Beck
Q-DId YOU pay O'nrien Clark for tho privilege
Of taking the work of their hands this Ii per Of
their contract prlce7 A--No sir
taken from the monthly estimates.
Q.-They reained IL per cent? Ayes sir.
. The witness was closely catechized as TO what
tne work Was exactly costing lie said that so far
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