The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1878-02-21
WHOLE NO. / 3

1S tcHG VI aCHe case yesterday. but
nd the gentleman exceedingly
|reticents on the most interesting
points. In reply to a question as to
how the affair commenced he replied:
| II heard from friends of mine in the
house that they had been approach
ed
Rep.--"Did you believe the re-
ports
Mr.. b disliked to. bat could not
doubt such gentlemen
Rep.-s'How did you become identi-
| fed with the matter?"
Mr.. B.-''I decided to test it myself,
and had my name suggested as proba-
bly, approachable.
Rep.-''Do you not think thew sus-
pected your motive. as you was known
to be SO strongly in favor of the bill -
Mr.. B.-''No. | was told that I
could get money for my vote if I
| tried
Rep.-''Then you made no direct
offer to them -
Mr.. B.--.'No. 1t was all arranged
through a third party
Rep" that party a member of
the house!''
Mr.. B.-'Yes, an honest man, who
had been solicited by them
Rep.-''Will you give his name!'
Mr.. B.--.'I prefer not to-
Rep.-''WOuld you object to stating
the modus operandi Of the bribery?"
Mr.. B. Arrangements were made
for me to meet a certain party Satur-
day morning at a certain hotel. l had
decided to test the matter, and hence
| kept the appointment, taking wit
ness with me. | met the gentlemen,
and after some talk accepted $50, for
which l promised to vote for a GER
tain amendment.
Rep.-"Will you give me the name
of the witness Was he Il member
of the Houssi'
Mr.. B.--"I cannot tell you, that
will come out at the investigation
Rep.-ssWhak was the amendment
| Was it to include cities and indepsn-
emit schools distrfcfsfn the operations
Of the bill!"
i Mr.. BIT cannot tell you that.''
Rep.-ssMr. Brandt, a certain party
is charged with being the man who
paid you the money. Ii he should
prove to be the right one much dis
tress will be caused, and even now his
family is suffering on account Sof the
insinuatiOns thrown out. Will you
answer yes or no whether it was
Mr.-!"
MIR. B.-s'I cannot; the committee
of investigation have requested me
not to state any of the material
facts
Rep.-''I only suggested it as I
thought it might be well to deny that
Mr.-was the man in order to re-
licve his family. Do you feel secure
in your position, and do you know the
consequences that may ensue -
Mr.. BIZ am sure can prove my
point. l fully understood the conse-
: quences, but felt that ] must make
sure of getting the money in my hand
in order to prove the bribery
Rep.-"YOu made pretty strong
{ statement to the House this morn
!. ing"
g Mr.. B.-"Yes, was excited then;
n but / made a counter statementin the
S afternoon, and the House received it.
e | felt that / must get that ESQ into
|, the hands Of the speaker rs soon as
b possible, and I acted with much
0 haste
: Rep.-..Did of the other friends
e Of the Merrill bill know what you
!. were doing!'
s Mr. B.-"Nobody knew it except
d Mr.. Geib and myself; neither Merrill,
f Bowles, nor any of them"
J. Rep.-.Are You prepared to stand
+ the consequences il you are held in
q contempt Of the house, as proceedings
I. are commenced against you!"
J. Mr.. B.-sI am. Ihave acted hon
Il estly, and will take the whole burden
d on my shoulders if am prosecuted,
d and shall not vince if the prison doors
3. close behind me-
h Rep.-"Have you engaged coun.
r. sell"
r Mr.. B.-"No; stand on the merits
q of the case, and do not apprehend any
q trouble, although fear nothing"
A reporter OF the Pioneer Press
visited one Of the book ring agents,
whose name has been associated with
= this daring attempt to h<ibe mem.
= Der Of the legislature, but no infOrma
:. ton save a general denial Of the
= charge could be obtained from him.
:. This agent is we'll known in MinneeO
Y. Y. ia. but he is only tool in the hands
:. Of stronger combination behind him
and his friends will be gratified il hi
= can emerge untainted from the inyes
y tigatigation which will take place to
=; morrow before the legislative com
- mittee. 1t is evident. however, tina
= !. there is considerable CONSERVATION
y. among the members Of the book rim,
e and their friends, and numerous littl.
:, meetings were held last night to can
vass the situation and concoct meas
ures to cover up their tracks. or vim
dictate themselves from the charge
which are freely made against then
Il their hands are clear. In IL
meantime the appetite OF m anxiou,
- public = whetted Tor further dsveloI
Sments. !