The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-01-15
Brought Against Deputy Street
Commissioner Eastman,
Tn the Form of AfidaYits from
Street LabOrers,
THAT HE TOOK MONEY
From Them to Keep Them in
Their Positions.
TheAffidavits Now In Possession
Of the Mayor.

"a l4AC -Ar yAe
Mayor Harrison has in his possession
some atfidavits containing some startling
charges against Deputy City Street Com
missioner w. s. Eastman.
Eastman, who is chairman Of the re-
publican CITY central committee
viii now lose his job if his political
enemies are successful in carrying out
their purposes.
The day following Mayor Harrison's
election fight was inaugurated, for the
purpose Of having Eastman removed
from the office of deputy street commits
sioner from which he receives a salary
from the city of 500 a month.
Three afIidavIts were prepared charg-
ing him with corruption in office, the spe-
cific charge being that he was selling the
privileges of working on the street force,
by levyiug tribute on the men EN-
ployed ia the street department ia North
Topeka.
The action of the city council in pass
ing the salary ordinance abOIIshing East
mans Job allaved the feelings of the dep
uty street commissioners enemies and
the fight was dropped only to he renewed
again. however, when Mayor Harrison
vetoed the salary ordinance.
The fight is now on iii earnest, and
these atfidavits have been filed with the
mayor.
The men making the affdavits are Ed
Basey, Lon Fleming, Ed Graft and "Dad"
Alexander, an old cOlOred man, All four
being men who were employed on the
street force under Eastman and have
recently been discharged.
I'm the affidavit filed By Ed Basey. he
says he paid Eastman % cents a day for
tine privilege OF working on the street
force at $3.50 day.
Lon Fleming SAYS in his affidavit that
he paid Eastman for his Job at the rate
of % cents a day. He paid S4 the first
month and 81 the last month he was
on the force, paying $56 in all in money.
To a Journal reporter Fleming said.
4 III commenced working ON the street
force the last day Dave Harold had
J charge of the force. A few DAYS d fter
Eastman took charge Of the force he came
around to me and said. 81 guess ] can't
. keep you on the force, there is some
I kicking about keeping the old men and
. ] can't keep you unless there is some
I thing ia it, but if you viii put up twenty
five cents a day like the rest Of the gang.
HI see that you keep your job. ! agreed
! to- put up as I didn't want to lose my Job.
paid him $50 in money and chopped
wood for him to the amount Of So, for
the privilege Of holding my job. I was
discharged the day after I made the aili-
davit."
dad" Alexander's affidavit is to the
4 effect that he had 70 pay Eastman for the
privilege Of holding his job, and that lie
paid him $15 in tribute.
The last affidavit filed was that of Ed.
Graf. a teamster, who went before Mayor
Harrison Saturday night and told his
story, which relates to dirt belonging to
the city being sold to individuals. the
receipts of which have not been ac-
counted for. Graft testified To having
hauled the dirt which was sold at ten
cents a load.
A North side man who is interesting
himself in trying to get Eastman re-
moved, says the dirt sold By Eastman at
ten cents a load if accounted for
would amount to many dollars.
1T is said that Davis d Sheetz
bought over 100 loads. E Nystrom
bought about the same amount; Rev. Mr.
AcCauley bought thirteen loads, and Cy
Kistler bought 150 loads and another man
bought POO loads.
Mayor Harrison, when asked about this
matter, refused to say what lie intended
to do abont it, further than he meant to
make am investigation.
Eastman, Who resides at 1416 North
Monroe street, and has been Quaramtined
on account Of two cases of diphtheria in his
family. was released long enough on Sat
urdav to have consultation with Mayor
Harrison in regard to his case.
In speaking of the fight being made on
him. to a JOURNAL reporter Eastman
said. "There is absolutely nothing in the
\ charges and i will be able To prove to the
satisfaction Of every body that the charges
are made with malicious intent I viii
make a lot Of these fellows sweat, before
they are through with this thing