The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-09-30

was not typewriter as it would have been
had there been any desiIe to hinder the
committee in its work and wish that all
the facts in connection with ID should be
known. The order was just what 1t pur-
ported to be and was simply a request
that the committee proceed with no I'M
necessary delay.
Mr.. Leighton corroborated what Mr..
Morrill, said
Another portion of the running fire of
discussion between the members of the
committee came when Mr.. Leighton made
the remark that the investigation was
brought on by ward fight.
MIR. Rounds exclaimed "There was no
ward fight about it. 1t was voted by the
city from ward 1 to ward e."
Mr.. Leighton-You'v said that Staples
was the man you were after.
Mr.. Rounds-Well, don't want him
convicted If he isn't guilty.
Mr.. Leighton-I am here defending the
commission. i think it has been good
thing for the city and don't want to see
it downed while do not defend the do
ings of any man If they are not right.
Mr.. Rounds-That isn't a ward fight.
Mr.. McDonald-I don't believe in the
commission. 1 never did. I think that
and should prefer that.
Mr.. Rounds-I don't believe in 1t eth
er.
Mr.. Leight on-I don't believe in the SUI
perintendent of streets selling horses to
the city or using city teams.
When the testimony of Mr.. Randall was
given as to the cost of granite paving
blocks it led to more discussion among
the committee. Mr.. Rounds said that
there were granite quarries within four
miles of Portland
Mr.. Leighton wanted to know where
they were and Mr.. Rounds replied that
there was granite all along the Presump-
scot Mr.. Leighton said that that was
absurd.
Mr.. Rounds-Well. 1 know how to
make up freight train, but don't
know how to sell peanuts on the cars.
Mr.. Leighton-How about beerf
Mr.. Rounds-Well, I know about tn Q
price of beer. I don't say that sell beer
any more than you do, but I can tell the
price by the glass or the gallon.
While the committee were discussing
the prices Of paving stone, Mr.. Rounds
said that the Portland & Cape Eliza beth
road had secured stone at 80 cents, while
the city paid $1.l3. That stone had been
laid in the streets of Portland and accept
cd by this commission. The man who
furnished it was ready to sell to the city
at the same price.
The remarks were scatterei through
the evidence which is reported below.
The committee adjourned at quarter
past ten after waiting some time for the
appearance of Mr.. John Marray, who had
been summoned to appear with his books
to show what he had been paid for the
city work donesby his teams. City Mes
senger Mcgowan reported that he had
been told that AIr. Murray was out of
town, but would be back in the evening.
Previous to the adjournment, Mr..
Leighton moved that the persons who had
been accused be allowed to appear and
be represented by counsel if they SO de-
sired. 1t was SO voted. The summary
Of the testimony follows:
j. W. Clapp, stevedore at the Maine
Steamship company said that he had re-
ceived one load or perhaps two of city
sand since 1895. The sand was used for
sprinkling in slippery places. The wit
ness had asked Mr.. Staples for the sand.
He had no knowledge as to any payment
for the sand being made.
Howard W. leighton, foreman for the
city street department said Mr.. Staples
had used abusive language to him and
then went on to tell when and where
When it came to q statement of what
Staples said to him the witness asked ii
he must tell all. He said it was too foul
mouthed to be repeated in public. Chair
man Rounds suggested that the commit
tee retire and hear it in private. Alder
man Leighton stated that he knew the
character Of the remarks and remained in
his seat when the other two members of
the committee and the witness retired
After this incident the witness testified
that the language he had repeated in
private was used in the presence of seven
or eight men all of them his subordi-
mates. He also testified that on hot day
last July men had left their work with
out any objection from Staples. A mis-.
take had been made in the grade of WASH
burne avenue which had necessitated OK
ira work. The witness did not know who
made the mistake. Teams which the wit
working for the city on the second and
third of July. In answer to questions
by Mr.. Leighton the witness said he sup
posed these teams belonged to Staples be-
cause he had seen them in Staples stable