Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-06-09
CITY SCHOOL BOARD.
The Bribery Charges

The City School Board convened at twelve
o o'clock to-day at the Peabody Institute, at the
call of the Chairman, TO investigate charges OF
bribery heretofore preferred against Mr.. Jos.
| Hopkins, member of that body, concerning
the purchase of the Peabody School Building
by the Board. There we're present Edgar
SDowdcu, jr., Chairman, and Messrs. Bcnonl
Wheat, Hcury B. Wilmington, Joseph Hop
kins, O. g. WhittIesey. j. S. Beach, Il. l.
| Carne, S. g. Nealc, j. w. Burke, and *
Kemper, the latter one of whom arrived some.
time after the session Of the Board commenced.
The Chair called the Board to order and
said Gentlemen, you are aware that this is
an adjourned meeting OF the Board, TO take
into consideration the charges Of bribery made
against member. 1t is called at the instance
| of Mr.. Bradley, who has come forward to make
such explanations as this investigation may re-
uuire There are 10 minutes to be read. aud
It is desirable to proceed with the investigation
at once, as Mr.. Bradley wishes to return to his
home 10 the country tonight. MIR. Bradley,
you have read 10 the newspapers the charges
10 connection with this matter, and you can
now make any explanation to the Board you
desire.
Mr.. Bradley said he would say first, that in
fifty. years of his life he knew Of no act
that nc had ever done of which he was
ashamed. So far as his alleged bribery is con
ceroed. it is well known 10 the community that
he had been trying to get away ir0m this city
for long time on account of his health. Two
mouths before the purchase of bis property by
the School Board, Mr. Hopkins caue to his
store and priced some furniture, and said he
would like to make purchase but was poor
man, and was unable to do So He, Mr. Brad
lev, said to hun he hoped something would
turn up so that be could get the turn,ure.
This conversation occurred before the purchase
of the building had been talked of. Suisse
uuently, when he learned that the city Was
about to erect school-houSe, he had a CONVEX
satiou with MIR. Price about the plans Of the
proposed building, aud suggested that bis
building might be changed so as to be adapted
to the purposes of a school-house. MIR. Hop
kins had prepared plan for /, building aud
wanted to build, and was his, Mr.. Bradley's.
enemy so far as the sale OF his building was
concerned He. MIR. Bradley, had 90 inter-
view with MIR. Hopkins and eDdeavored to lm-
press upon him the advantages of the puI chase
of the building. Understanding that MIR. Hop
kns continued to oppose the purchase, ne had
aGother Interview with him, but Mr.. Hopkins
would not chime in but seemed inclined to shy
off, aud was not disposed TO CONVERSE much
upon the subject but when it was proposed to
make the school female school, he again went
to him, and urged that The objections to want
of yard for the boys was removed. and also
stated to him that be wished to leave the city
on account of his health, and hat the building
could only be used for public purposes. After,
wards learning that Mr.. Hopkins had changed
his mind upon the suit Get, he went to him aud
told him that if he, MIR. Hopkins, could help
him 10 the matter, coDscieDtously, he would
remember him. but not word was said about
money, or furniture, or anything OF the kind.
He was grateful to Mr.. Hopkins, and to the
whole Board, for purchasing The building, al