The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1897-11-18
THIS Is CHAPTER 3.
|SUPERVISORBOYLE RETURNS THE
BATTERY SALUTE.
HIS RESPECTS TO GoNNERMANr
Another Chapter in the Controversy Be-
tween the City of1cials-Boyle
Writes Very Plain
Letter.

meeting of the common council AID.
Gonnermann made certain verbal
charges against me as an official, be-
lieving in his own mind that at that
time the infamous scheme which he
had concocted for my removal had the
sanction of majority of the council;
and that the long cherished hope of
his revengeful spirit was about to be
realized. Ibeing satisfied in my own
mind that the charges were without
| foundation and made with a malicious
intent, requested that | be not con-
victed upon the unsupported state
ments of any one man, but that be
given an opportunity to defend myself,
said request now being on file in the
office of the city clerk, being as follows:
During the years that have held
the office of street commissioner have
endeavored to discharge my duties
honestly and to the satisfaction of
those under whose charge my labors
have been performed, and from whom
I have yet to hear word of criticism,
yet certain alderman has seen lit to
insinuate slanderous reports as to my
official conduct, and actuated by q
motive that shows malice upon its face
keeps himself busy to interest other
aldermen in his scheme of persecution
and is now trying by all possible efforts
to have me removed from the office
which I have filled for years to the
satisfaction of those who are partially
responsible for my work. In justice to
myself, to my friends, yes, in justice to
your honorable body, who have been
maligned for continuing my services to
the city, | respectfully request that
your honorable body appoint a COM
mittee to enquire into my conduct,
that the alderman referred to file his
charges against me with said committee
in writing and subscribed to by him,
that I may be summoned before said
committee at the time of meeting and
there and then defend myself against
the charges that may be made against
me, and that / then and there receive
Just treatment for any misconduct of
which I may be found guilty and thus
end at least in manly and impartial
manner unnecessary and ridiculous
agitation.
"(Signed) WILLIAM j. BOYLE"
What excuse does Mr.. Gonnermann
offer for not complying with my re-
quest? Let me quote his own words:
He asked to have committee ap-
pointed to investigate the charges.
What satisfaction could there be Il
suppose he means to himselD in having
the mayor appoint such committee?
1t would most likely consist of Bohm-
rich, McGivern and Culley." Is hat
the manner that question of so sari
Gus nature, for it is a serious question
to me, should be met by one who
makes accusations such as he has seen
fit to make? Is that the way self
constituted but unrecognized champion
of the city's interests should act after
making such accusations, with no
other intention than that of endeavor-
ing to create prejudice against me in
the minds Of the public? The position
of Aid. Gonnermann needs no COM
ment. He has seen fit to answer a
reasonable and just request for an in
vestigation by casting a slur upon a
disinterested party. Will the public
approve of his action? | think not.
My record as an official is open to in
spection from the time first entered
the employ of the city as sewer in
spector, and do not fear, but court a
most rigid investigation.
1t is some satisfaction to know that
Aid. Gonnermann agrees with me in
one respect at least, and that is that
the affairs of the city should be con-
Quoted upon an economical basis. My
position on that question is the same
today rs when | rendered my first re-
port of the street department, March
Is, 1895, which can be found on file in
the office of the city clerk, in which
attention is called to the functions Of
the different departments and how
they should be conducted, from which
I quote:
For these things the people are
charged by taxation and are made to
pay the bills. 1t is the duty of the
city through its departments to render
an equivalent for every dollar paid into
the treasury. 1t is simply business
transaction, and the different depart
ments should be conducted on business
principles.
defy Aid. Gonnermann to point out
single instance in which l have de-
Waited from that position, or show
time or place in which I have not
held the city'S interests paramount to
the interests of any individual, and by
so doing naturally have offended some
with whom came in contact in my
official capacity. Yet if man elected
to a public Office takes advantage of
his position and concocts a despicable