New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-07-11

Maurice b. FLYNN was born on November 3. 1913,
in Maiden, Columbia County, y. Y. His father and
mother worked small farm for living lie. how
ever. was extremely ambitious and at seventeen came
to this city make his fortune. having a capital Of
s37 and large amount OF pluck At first he worked
for - week in grocery store I'm BROOKLYN but short
~ aitcrward obtained a situation bOOkieeper with
the firm Of Guy c. Holchliss e Son. iron manu-
facturcrs lie attended the night schools at Cooper
Union. where he studied the languages and mechanical
drawing Ono of the partners Of the firm died In
1867 and young Flynn became the manager Of the
firms business. During tho next two years the
business under his control was greatly increased In
May, 1870, he made a member Of the firm.
Eight years later his political began. although
he had hitherto been more or less active in the Demo
cratic politics of Brooklyn. Three days before the
election he announced him elf Independent can
ddate for the Assembly IN the Win Assembly District
lie was elected by plurality OF 1.715. The following
term he received the regular Democratic nomination
and went to the Assembly for the sccond time. His
success in this direction led him 10 move to this city
and enter actively into Ncw-lOrk politics
In the meantime his business affairs were
rapidly assuming extremely largo proportions. and
he was looked upon as being OF the most
tensive contractors in the city.
lie allied himself with the County Democracy
ganzaton at IT'S beginning being. I'm fact. Of the
Committee Of One IlundIcd which organized this
faction of the Democracy. In 1883 he chairman
Of the XIVth Assembly District Association In that
year he married Of the daughters of Theodore
Moss. This was one of tho largest weddings OF the
year. and there great display Of decorations
and flowers 1t took place in the Cathedral. and the
ceremony performed by Cardinal McClOskey.
Flynn's political power grew with the County De
mocracy organization When its adherents I'm
control he able To obtain paying
contracts for his firm from the city. lie
and Hubert o. Thompson warm friends and
ThompsO aided him In getting these contracts To
gcthcr they practically controlled the organization
time, and when Thompson Commissioner Of
Public Works. Flynn got most Of the rich contracts
then given out. The appointment Of Roin ~. Squire.
10 succeed Thompson, always laid 70 Flynn
He aud Thompson had disagreed and he wanted 10
put man in the Public Works Department whom he
could control absolutely.
William r. Giacc was opposed to Squire and refused
to appoint him when he came into Office Mayor
Therefore Flynn induced Mayor Edison to make the
appointment Just before Mr. Elson's term expired
and he worked the confirmation through the Board
Of Aldermen. Flynn expected to control the Public
Works Department and squire. 1t was not until
Squire refused TO allow this that the famous letter
Of agreement between Squire and Flynn came out
that eventually caused SqulIc's removal by Mayor
Grace and the Indictment OF both squire and Flynn
for conspiracy. Some people considered that 1t also
led to Hubert o. 1hOmpsOns death Governor ll
sustained the action of Mayor Grace IN ousng squire
from the Office. At one time Flynn and John keenan,
The bOOdler,' were also close fhends. They
worked with Thompson TO secure rich contracts from
the city. The Aqueluct was started
through Thompson and fynn's efforts and although
I'm ihe background, Flynn obtained for his firm
many large contracts In fact FLYNN generally got
a big slice OF every work OF consequence that was
done by the city while the County Democracy in
bower. until Mr. Hewitt became Mayor Bdt after
The exposure of the Squlre-flynn agreement and
,ui,,'. dismissal from office ho did not play any
prominent part In the politics OF this city. lie was
however, IA gh IN the cOunsels OF the County De
mccIacy and one OF It's strongest men.
Al the time OF his death. he was member Of the
New Amsterdam club which he helped to start. tho
New York Athletic Tub, and the GREENWOOD Lake
Fishing club some yeapS ago he was appointed one
OF The High Bridge Park COmpis
widow ana child, daughter Two years old
survive him.