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Q.-The CHAIRMAN.-That you consider to be the defective feature?
A. Yes, taking into consideration the amount of work the Government does.
Q-In all your experience can you say you have any knowledge of any case of squeezing? I don't mean cumshaws in the way of Christmas presents, but something
substantial.
A.-No, I have no definite case.
Q.-Have you ever heard any definite case against any person?
A.-No, I cannot say that I have. I dare say you will have it in evidence a lot of suspicious things take place, but you cannot call that evidence.
Q.-But nothing against an individual?
A. No, nothing special.
Q.--Would you object to mention the names of any of these persons who are in the habit of saying that all is not right in the department, in the sense that there is corruption?
A.-When I see a man knocking about, going to races and talking about sweeps, and having champagne every day, I think that looks suspicious, but I cannot bring that man up and accuse him of it.
Q.-Suppose there are these statements made, suppose it is popular talk that there must be squeezing, and cumshaws, and so on among the Overseers, otherwise you would not find them living beyond their means. Going about the place you must know who the people are who say these things.
A.-I cannot say I know of any special case.
Q.-Either of individuals named as likely to be getting cumshaws, you cannot mention the names of the people who say these things?
A.-You hear all kinds of talk, but as a rule you take no notice of it. What I have told you is from my own experience.
-Well, there may be people who may know of different things; probably they might not be willing to come forward, but if we could only get the names of some we might at all events ask them. For instance, if I heard a man holding forth and saying, "It is all very well, but there is no doubt these fellows do get squeezes," I might try the experiment of saying to him. "Now you speak as if you knew something about it. Can you give us any instances from which you form that conclusion?" Do you see what I mean?
facts.
A. Yes, but I cannot mention any names.
Q.-Hon. F. B. JOHNSON.-The object is to get hold of some one who can give us
A.-There is no doubt presents are given. It is just the same at home. It was just the same thing when I was Assistant Borough Engineer at Leeds. We had the same thing among our Overseers there,
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