The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1878-02-28
THE SCHOOL BOOK BUSINESS.

what the Investteatine Co,nnaattoe Ne.
ve1epe4 en- the Bribery Q1e~ttea.
The House committee appointed to in
vestigate the charges of G. G. Brandt relative
to bribery in the school text book matter.
after three days investigation, submitted the
following report:
The committe appointed to investigate into
the truth of charges of bribery and corruption
bill respectfully report that they have been
engaged; in said investigation at different times
since their appointment, with view of ascer-
tanning the truth of such charges, and for that
purpose have called upon all persons who
claimed to know or believe that corrupt means
said committee with the names of witnesses,
and such other evidence AS they might have
knowledge of, and in every instance caused
such witness to come before them.
That the testimony SO taken is herewith sub
mltted AS to the effect of said testimony or
the the, bearing bearing thereof, your committee do not
feel called upon to express MI opinion as the
testimony is very short and easily compre-
hcnded by the House.
All of which is respectfully submitted.
EDMUND RICE,
w. II. TELLER,
l.. H. BISHOP,
N. RICHARDSON,
s. l.. CAMPBELL,
The testimony was then read and the fol-
lowing is that of the leading actors in the
matter:
Chas. c. Brandt.
On Friday there seemed to be rumor afloat
that money was being used in connection with
the school textbook bill. Gcib Kloesner and
myself room together at the International
We retired about ten. After we had been in bed
short time, persons raped ut the door and
called Gelb; dc got up to let the person in:
the House. He stated his desire to speak to Geib
outside the room. Gcib and Anderson left the
room. Some time thereafter Geib returned,
he seemed excited and said the rumor afloat
that money was used on the textbook bill was
not all false. He had been offered money for
his vote. Said he had been at the Merchants
Hotel and had been offered 500 for his vote.
That money was not rendered him, but the
party took a piece of paper, and saw it marked
lOO, and said If the measure carried, then it
was marked 200. Did not state name of man,
but was given to understand the offer would be
open until morning.
Gcib seemed indignant, that money should
be offered him. I felt indignant and took it
very seriously. I went to bed and nothing
more was said or done about it. After went
to bed began to think the matter over, and
concluded it was my duty to get further proof
It could. The idea never entered my head that
= 'o'eAee SAA"AAES NY 'OCC Ou duy uidGGcTSs MY
sole object was to get hold of money so as to
expose the fact that money was being used.
Next morning the same subject came up.
concluded to get hold of money to expose the
matter, if Geib would go with me as witness.
After breakfast Geib and myself went down
street to the Merchants hotel. thought it
must he done before the bill came up for
decision. 1 asked Geib if could depend on
him. Geib said, ''You can depend on me all the
time.''
Gcib went up stairs with a man and soon
came down, and motioned for me to come. We
walked up stairs. Geib said he had not taken
money. We went to the room. Gcib intro
duced me to Liberty Hall. Gcib left the room.
l sat down.
Hall asked me what thought of the text
book bill. 1 said I thought it was a good bill
and ought to pass. He said he thought not.
sc had some more general conversation, and he
asked me what I thought of the amendments.
said the friends of the measure were not in ia
vor Of amendments. He thought it ought to be
amended. He asked what 1 thought of an
amendment to make it optional with the dis
tricts whether they took books OF not said
could vote for it conscientiouily, as it would
not affect my district. Then he asked if he
then said he would give me $50 if would vote
for the amendment.
He then took from his pocket bill. 1t was
Y50: l put it in my pocket, Then he says,
will you vote for that amendment:' an
swered, as 1 said before, II can conscientious
ly.' 1 then rose to leave the room,
having all I was after-the evidence
to prove that money was being used,
and, was dow prepared to lay the
money before the House. Hall asked nc if
would vote for other amendments that might
come up. made no reply. said to Hall l
WAS anxious to get to the capitol by nine clock,
and made no answer to his questions, and i'm
mcdiately left the room and found Geib in the
general Office waiting for me- and we left for
the capitol. After We left the hotel showed
the bill to Geib, and told him to take particu-
lar notice of the number. I told my story to
Col. Pfender and showed him the bill. then
went to the House and the committee knows
what did then. I sent the same bill to the
clerk desk. l asked Geib, on my way to the
capitol, why he left the room, and he said Hall
told him to do so.