The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-25
THE cRoToN AoUEDUoT.
The Investigation Into the Alleged
Political Corruption.

Inc lnVestBatlon INTO inc AicSeu
Political Corruption.
New YoRK, April 24.-At the opening yes
terday Of the State senatorial investigation
into the alleged corruption in connection
with the work on the new Croion aque-
duct, Senator Pierce arose and stated that
he had received telegram from Gov.
Hill demanding that Rolln NJ Squire be
required to produce the letters he swore he
had received from the Governor
President Spencer, Of the aqueduct
commission, the first witness, said he had
visited Gov. Hill and urged him TO veto
the bill recognizing the board by putting
the mayor and comptroller off OF it. This
was only few days before the Governor
signed it.
Rolin VI. Squire, ex-commssioner Of
public works and eX-mcmber Of the aque-
duct board, was next called, and produced
number Of letters and notes from Gov.
Hill and from his private secretary. Some
OF them were invitations for conferences
with the Governor. In one Gov. Hill
asked Squire 10 restore man named Neil
son, who had been discharged from the pub
lie works department. Another was from
Judge Mullen, the governors friend, ask
ing that Charles Cornell be appointed TO a
position under Squire.
Ex-Comptrollcr Locw testified that he
understood that the aqueduct commission
reorganization bill originated with John
! O'Brien, OF the contractors firm of O'Brien
q Clark, who, il has been alleged, proiled
! by The change and aided Gov. Hills can
yass financially. Witness had declined 10
acccdc TO the request Of Judge Miller that
he vote three.ward lscction Of the aquc.
duct contract TO O'llrlcn q Clark, and il
began to be rumored that witness was Ia
be removed from the commission.
City Chamberlain Twins related the
story OF visit which he made TO Gov
Ill., when he laid before him evidence
tending TO show that squire had been
guilty OF criminal ollcnsc. The GOV.
crnor, he said. did not think il furnished
a basis for criminal action; appealed 10 his
! lyins'D Democracy; said scandals wcr,
bad for the party; that II was disloyaliy tC
the party TO bring matter q
that kind out, and that the part,
! would hold the man VINO ulu
responsible. Witness told him the party
should punish its own mscals, and cite,
the career OF Mr.. Tildcn. 10 that IN,
Governor. returned that times and condi
tons had changed and there had been 20,
much oi that sort OF thing already.
From other sources later witness ha,
learned that Gov llill was cndcavoring L
prevent the matter from being made pub
lie, and that he threatened 40 remove Dis
irict Attorney nov judgel MARITIME unlcs
it was suppressed.
Witnc s managed 10 bring about the OK
pOsurc.
Herman Clark, Of the firm oi O'Brcr
& Clark, told OF the $1,000 note signed b,
Gov llill and Endorsed by his partner an,
himself lie said that payments OF ~ ,OW
ut time we're made ON 1t from time &
time aud the note renewed until Il was al
paid. Al Of these sums were charged {,
the individual account oil his partner
% Bricn. lie understood that This an,
some political assessments on his firm an,
other firms engaged in the work were 10
the Democratic party Tor Gov. Hill.
Adjourned til Saturday.