Omaha daily bee., 1890-06-08
A BOODLlNG COMBINE
The Streak of Daylight Let into the Star
rt Chamber
WORK OF THE P0ST0FFICe PL0TTERS.
They Plan the Organization of the Council
Y and Distribute the spoils.
COUNCILMAN DONNELLY ON. THE STAND.
Some Very Startling Disclosures About the
Doodle Gang.
CON GALLAGHER AS GRADING DlSBURSER.
He Makes a Tempting Offer to the
Second Ward Councilman to
Join the Council
Combine.
N GALLAGHER AS GRADING DlsBURSERY

BEE Publishing company promise some very
interesting revelations. The defendant has
commenced taking depositions before Justice
Anderson, in support Of the charges pub
lishcd The first deposition taken was that
Of Councilman Donnelly. His testimony, as
taken down in shorthand, omitting objections
and repetitions, was as follows:
James Donnelly, examined by Mr.. Simeral
testified as follows
My name is James Donnelly, sr.; 1 am
employed in the United States depot my
residence is 1912 Williams street; have re-
sided in Omaha eighteen pears, lacking few
months | was elected counciman-at-large
for the city of Omaha December last; quail
fed and am serving at the present. time as one
of the councilmen of the city of Omaha.
Q.7-Mr. Donnelly, you may state whether
or not you are acquainted with the plaintiff
in this case, Mr.. Chaffee9 A. The first time
/ had the pleasure of knowing him was when
the councilwas organized, and have known
him since.
Q.-When was the council organizedl A. I
think, sir, on January7
Odd you have any conversation with
any one in reference to the organization of
the council prior to its organization and II so
with whom! Al did sir.
Q.-State with whom that wasl Alt
was Mr.. Lowry, Mr. kasper, MIR. Sander
and Mr. Ford.
o. Did you have any conversation with
any person other than the counclmen at any
time prior to the organization of the council
in reference to any matters pertaining TO it'
Al think not, sir.
Odd you at any time have any conver-
sation with Mr.. John A. Creighton. A.-Yes
sir
Q.-When was that2 Alt was previous
to the organization of the council.
Q,--What was that conversations
Alt had no reference to this, gentlemen.
Q.-State what it was. Al will not un-
less | am obliged to.
Q.-Mr. Donnelly, did you have any con-
versation at any time with Mr.. Con Gala
gheri Al did, sir.
Q.-When was that2 Alt was previous
to the organization of the council; L could
not tell how many days.
Whereabouts was thatl Am the
poStoffice
Q.-Did he send for you or did you go over
there3 Ale sent forme.
Q.-That was some time before the organi-
zation? Ayes, sir.
Whereabouts in the poStoffice? An
his Office
Q.-Whowa presentl Atom Swift and
some others; now, l don't recollect who they
Were; they got up, and when l went in
apologized.
Own you state what was said? A.-Mr
Gallagher was sitting down at his desk; he
pulled a chair to his desk and told me to sit
down; they had just got through talking; he
asked me If wanted to swing the Second
ward or if Kaspar wanted it. l told him
said, II want to know whether you want to
have the Second ward or Kasparl / said |
didn't care very much. He says, "Well, we
don't need you really; we have got enough
without YOU but would like to do you q
favor; have document here that L want
you to sign.n He opened his drawer and
said would not sign any documents.
Q.-Who did he say he wanted to sign
that Ale wanted me to sign it.
Q.-What was it in regard to that he said
he had enough3 Al could not tell
Q;-Who was he speaking of-the council
men9 Al should draw that inference.
Q.-He had enough councilmen already to
sign It'll A.-That was my inference.
Q.-When was that. Alt was probably
three or four days previous to the organiza-
tion of the council.
Q-Do you know whether Mr.. Paul Van
dervoort was present or nOti Al think he
was. He was not there during the conversa-
ton
Q.-Now, did you at that time was
there anything further said in reference to
the matteri A.-No sir; went right out
Q.-Now, what was your understanding in
reference to the Second ward as to whether
you wanted TO swing iti OBJECTED to as
incompetent and improper for counsel to ask
witness what his Understanding was about
the Second ward, and immatGrial.) A.
Well, / supposed that he meant they would
have enough to carry any measure through.
Q.-By signing that documents A.-Yes,
sir 1t was my understanding and is now.
~
on any of the committees of the councili A
Yes, sir,
Q.-What committees! A.-Iam chairman
of the committee on police am on the COM
mittee on streets and alleys, and two more, L
think; ! am on plats and additions and also
on rules
Q,-Let me ask you, Mr. Donnelly, if you
have ever heard of what is known as the
council combine prior to May 23 or "a, 1SvOi
Al have, sir.
Q.-State who that consists of A.-There
are twelve, | believe, sir, as far as | know;
there is Blumer, Cooper Madsen, McLearie,
Mi.Ioreartyt, osthoff, Wheeler o'Connor,
Q.-How often have you heard of that COM
bine prior Ia the 23d or 9th of Mays Al
Well, sir could not tell you; tits everywhere
on the street and it has been so often that l
could not tell You the exact time.
Q.-Let me ask you this; was it or was it
not common report on the street A.-Why,
yes sir.
Estate when it was reported that the
'-eomeine was made or formedi Al could not
say, us was not member of it,
Q,-When was it reported to have been
madei A.-rhat was before the organiza-
tion of the council
Q,-Does that combination as it is reported
to have been formed still exist in the councill
AMY, presume il does; though know
that sometimes they divide themselves up on
some questions.
Q,--Let me ask You, Mr. Donnelly, as o
or not You are asked To participate with them,
with any of the members of that combine in
consultation in reference to the committees
work! A.-No, sir; was few months ago
i made AN agreement with two of them to
come and look ut a piece of property down
here ON Leavenworth street, and l went out
10 the Howell lumber company; they were to
meet mo there; l staid an hour out there,
about an hour, and neither of them came
have not been In consultation with sthem
since in regard to the matter and believe it
is in court
Q.-Are you ever consulted by them in
reference TO the signing of any reports A
Yes, sir
Q.-Where the combine is interestedl A.
Il don't know whether they are interested
or not; but know that on streets and alleys
we confer together; we have been divided
two members of the combine divided-Mr.
Shriyer sided with me and against OConuor
ON two occasions.
Q.-Mr Donnelly, have you had any further
conversation other than the one which you
have spoken of with Mr.. Con Gallagher since
the organization OF the couucili A.-Yes
sir.
Q.--ln reference to the distribution of any
money pertaining 10 grading Of streetsi A.
Yes sir
O.-NOvy state whom n Nyas apa ,,,hat ,,.,,