Morning journal and courier., 1891-06-30
MR. LEIGH,s ruRN.

Tells How the Democrats Manipu-
lated Things Last Year-Some Lively |
Repartee-He Tells when He Got |
ssOut of the Sygimss-It Was Over Mr. |
Kent's ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS to Mr..
whitney-Those Back Numbers.
There was certainly base ball atmos-
phere about city hall last evening as the |
officials gathered to discuss the exciting
game which took place in the afternoon
between the town and city mines. It was
SO fascinating that the aldermen met with
reluctance to resume the Investigation Of
the board of public works. His honor the
mayor was present, looking as fresh as
ever after his memorable hit on the dia-
mond field which brought in three runs.
The aldermen were not long in going
through the formality of becoming COM
mittee of the whole, and upon Alderman
Dailey's motion Commissioner Walter
Leigh was called first to testify. He came
forward with smiling countenance, and
then the fun began. Mr.. Leigh first asked
to make a statement.
Alderman Daley said: ri am here to
make an honest effort at Investigation, and
not the friend of any one. For the pur-
pose of ascertaining certain things,
whether they are facts or not, whether
some one has been making a tool of an
other, propose to probe every one who
takes the stand. can't see how an inves-
tigation done in that way will be of an
unfair nature"
Alderman Hamilton said he wanted to
say word. He spoke of the criticisms
made by two members of the board of
public works of his cross-examination of
Commissioner Brown at the last meeting.
He said: ct think they made them be-
cause they didn't like the result of that
examination"
Mr.. Leigh then made his statement sub
stantially as follows:
ri take the position that they criticised
Mr.. Browns position wrongfully."
Here he was interrupted by the lawyers
as out of order, and was defended by AL
derman Hitler. It was decided to let him
go on, combining himself to the matter of
fact relative to the investigation, and the
chair was authorized to keep him within
bounds.
Said Mr.. Leigh: eff I can't criticise
either the board of aldermen or the board
of public works what's the use of saying
anythirgs"
Alderman Beers said: "You have confin-
ed him 80 close he can't express his ideas. "
Mr.. Leigh, beginning again, went on to
show what Mr.. Kent had done last year as
superintendent of streets. He said Messrs.
States, Atwater and Todd called him in
put Mr. Doyle in his place. MI. Leigh de-
nounced the present condition Of the
streets. "Mr. States" he said, 'thas vir-
| tually been superintendent of streets and
governor of the board ever since I have
been member. The street committee,
and most important one, is now the same
as last year. I have never named an in
spector." He then went on to arraign Mr..
States and was hauled up for getting of
the track.
Alderman Daley wanted him to go on
| in his own way, because he said it would
| lead to certain other matters later OF inter.
| est.
Mr.. Leigh said he wanted to answer the
roasting" he would get at the meeting.
Alderman Hiller-We want to get at the
| truth and see whether the board of public
| works has been run in the interests Of 6
| ring, and whether there has been corrup
ton. believe there was something deep
er in Commissioner Browns paper thar
was apparent on the surface.
Alderman Hamilton jumped up to an
swer the junior member from the First
with another favorite quotation from
| scripture. He said he didn't want tt
spend more than the whole summer in tn,
| matter.
Mr.. Leigh here said I am here to speal
what know about the board of publ
works, and that has bearing in the case
Alderman Daley said he wanted hin
to go on, for then he could ask his ques
tions with a better grace.
The chair decided to confne Mr.. Leigh
and an appeal was carried by vote of l.
to 6.
Mr.. Leigh once more started off in hi
irregular course. About the purchase o
a roller, he gave a conversation wit
Mr.. States in the first year of his mem
bership. He (Mr. States) said: ooh, W
won't spend the money for roller, bu
get it transferred for other purposes
honorable firm, it is reasonable to suppos
they will look out for their own inter
ests." He next went on to speak of
commissioner, whom he knew, who hat
sold supplies to the city, violated the cit
charter and made things unpleasant fo
Mr.. Dillon. After he finished Mr.. Hi
asked if it was the custom for the Obi
Four" of last year to meet at his store.
Mr. Leigh: 81 will answer a questio
when it is put straight. My character
above what you represent. Never di
they meet there to arrange combinations.
He explained Mr.. Whitney's presence Their
got all we could, of course. We we.
| there as democrats"
Alderman Chandler: Chow is it ths
you are not in the Big 4 this yeara"
Mr. Leigh: because I wasn't going
be led around by the nose any longer b
Mr.. States"
Alderman Daley here began. He aske
if Mr.. Leigh last year believed in the Con
nor Brothers contract. Mr.. Leigh reptile
he did then and believed in three-yea
contracts now under certain conditions
where there was no wearing out process
against the city.
He then went on to state why the Cor
nor Brothers contract was not advertise
last year. He stated it was fixed up with
out his knowledge, Mr.. States being at til
head of things.
Alderman Dailey-What were til
methods of employing men last yea
throughout the board Of public works.
Mr.. Leigh-Some aldermen would NEE
one on the street and then he would go
the superintendent.
He said all the democratic members me
at his store last year to divide all the wor
!; from older men in the political ring an
was told that it was his duty.
Alderman Dailey-You don't believe an
member of the board of public work
should directly or indirectly sell goods
the citys
Mr.. Leigh-Well, no.
Alderman Dailey-Do you remember tn
firm of Linsley & Roots
Mr.Leigh-I know what you are drivin
at
, Alderman Dailey-Are they related
: yous
Mr.. Leigh-They were not then. Neve
has that firm sold any goods to the city i
: | my knowledge without fair competition
Alderman Hamilton-Do you remembe
| ever buying any hay seed ?
Mr.. Leigh-Oh, certainly about 500; {
at least it was done by the superintendent
' of street.
/ Alderman Dailey-Do you know no
= much seed was bought?
Mr.. Leigh-No.
Alderman Dailey-Do you know VIII.
! | became Of the balances
Il Mr.. Leigh-No.
Alderman Dailey-You can't remembe
!, any more of thats
q Mr.. Leigh-No.
Alderman Dailey-Your sailing has nj
been SO pleasant this year as last.
Mr.. Leigh-Oh, yes.
Alderman Dailey-The old combine hi
been broken, has it?
Mr.. Leigh-Yes, if you wish to call
8 that.