Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-11-02
CONFUSING CHARGES.
An Allegheny Reformer Gives Away
q Coming Sensation.
REASON LOST IN EXCITEMENT.
Detectives Said to be Following Leading
Reformers.
SIX MEN MAKING A MEETING OF FORTY

kef0rmerS.
SIX MEN MAKING A MEETING OF FORTY
There is war among warriors in ALE.
gheny. The reformers are after one of theil
number without an identifying mark on
that one to indicate who he is. Their plans
have been frustrated and the force of the
attack on Mayor Wyman and Chief Murphy
has been partially lost. The two bombs
that were fired on Saturday were intended
for explosion at different times, but by the
blundering Of someone they *ere both
dropped together and in the noisy con-
fusion, argument has proved fruitless,
reason has been thrown to the wind and the
parties attacked find an easy defence with
out going into odious details.
Some Plans That Failed.
When the auditors made their report to
the subcommittee it was intended by the
people at the bottom of the Allegheny in
vestigation that long, continuous fire
should be commenced on the city's two
highest officials. The charge was to lead
off with the auditors report, the matter was
then to be reported to Councils and when
the people were argued into believing that
they had been defrauded by their public
servants, flank movement with af6davits
was to be run in with hurrah that
would excite the public mind and create a
bitter feeling. The plans were well laid.
The charge that Mayor Wyman had illegally
retained witness fees was to be the founda-
tion for argument and the afidavits of
Koerner and Braun were to form the
pyrotechnical end of the Investigation.
one flashed the afidaVits and the people
have forgotten all about the witness fees in
watching the fireworks
The Guilty Man Escapes.
No one knows who was responsible for
giving out the affidavits. They were secured
by prominent men in the Reform Associa-
tion, and their publication is said to have
been for the purpose of helping the Straight
outs. The cry of the latter organization
has been that they are reformers, and the
more excitement they get over public
affairs the greater, they think, their strength
will be.
The majority of the members of the Re
form Association are not Straightouts, how
ever, and for that reason they yell treachery.
They claim they are non-partisan and say
that all efforts to gull them into politics
will not only destroy their power with the
people, but will also bring down upon them
the hatred of both Democrats and Repub-
licans who stick to their party. In addition
to that, it is stated that the affidavits of
Koerner and Braun were intended for use
in the impeachment proceedings against
Wyman. which, it is intended, will be
brought in Councils.
Two Forces Are at Work.
When asked about the blunder yesterday,
Mr.. McKirdy, one of the auditors, stated
that he was not in position to talk "There
are two forces" he said, sin this investiga-
ton. One is the auditors who are examin-
ing the records, and the other is the citizens
I am one of the auditors and
therefore can speak of nothing but what
appears on the books Our report shows
that Mayor Wyman retained all uncollected
witness fees and did not keep correct
record for use when the fees should be called
for. He claims he followed precedent, but
that was no excuse for ignoring statute
which says all moneys collected by the
Mayor shall be turned into the City
Treasury. The Mayor says he will return
whatever money he owes. but how can he
when record was not kept? One of
his propositions, which he made
20 Auditor Bigger, was that he !.
should return the money before a report
vas made by us. Of course, we did not
,ven consider the proposal The procuring
If the affidavits from Braun and Koerner
vas not part of my business and I do not
Know why they were made public"
A Pointed Answer Given.
sTt is charged that you are acting with
malice toward Mayor Wyman because he
Mr. Ehlers when you and he were
for Chief of the Department of
Public Works" was suggested to Mr.. Nc
Kirby.
ct is lie," replied Mr.. McKirdy. 'T
I'm examining the books carefully and fairly.
will shield no one and will attack no one."
cit is stated, Mr.. McKirdy, that detec-
ives have been snadowing you and other
prominent people in the investigation. Do
7ou know anything about it,"
81 do" he replied, 81 know that I have
,een watched, but have no fear. 1 never
20 to places that I would be ashamed to
lave the world know I was going, and
therefore, wouldn't care if all the detec-
i've force of Allegheny was on my heels"
Tricking the Detectives.
litigation that detectives are following
prominent Allegheny reformers is that at a
ecent meeting of half dozen, three de-
ectives were fooled into believing that
here were at least 40 present. The desec-
ives, it is stated, were stationed in front of |
he house and supposed they had not been
deserved. The eagle eye of one of the re-
ormers noticed the mysterious movements |
# the detectives, however, and to fool |
hem the six men went out |
# the back door one at a |
ime and walked hurriedly around the |
quare and entered the house again at the |
ront door. The procession was kept going |
or about half an hour and one of the de- |
ectives, it is claimed, kept tally in a note |
ook of the number of men he supposed |
rere plotting for the Mayors official scalp. |
When Chief Murphy was told the story,
e denied that detectives had ever been
sed to watch the movements Of the reform
rs. The latter are certain that they are be-
ng shadowed, however, but are taking the |
natter in as good humor as their depressed |
pirits over bad management will allow.
Feeling on the Northside.
The feeling among Allegheny citizens
esterday was intensified by the day. If |
he charges made can be proven it is
laimed by even the most conservative that |
he Allegheny scandals will only be less
tartling than those in Philadelphia in COM
arison with the size of the two cities. By |
hose who take it for granted that the asser-
ons are false, the reformers are condemned
/ the strongest terms. The auditors re-
ort with regard to witness fees is seldom
lentioned, the greater part of the talk be-