Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-02-19
THE BRIBERY CASE
BRANDT TELLS HIS TALE OF woe

THE BRIBERY CASE
BRANDT TELLS HIS TALE OF ZOE.
First Meeting of the House Committee
Brandt Repeats His Story of How He
Observation-Disclosures Committee Meet
ing This Morning. -
The Brandt, or bribery investigating com
mittee, for so it is variously designated In
current conversation, met in the judiciary
committee room at the capitol at II o'clock
yesterday morning. All five members of the
committee, Messrs. Rice, Teller, Bishop,
Richardson and S. L. Campbell, were
promptly on hand.
Shortly after the committee entered the
room the door was closed, and in few
moments thereafter, Brandt, accom-
panied by w. P. Clough, Esq, his
attorney, entered the room. The latter's
stay, however, was of short duration, as the
committee deemed it but fair that as one
side was unrepresented by counsel the other
should be also, whereupon Mr.. Clough re-
tired. It is understood, however, that the
action of the committee in this particular
may be modified this morning and that
counsel may be admitted
After Mr.. Clough had retired, Mr.. Brandt
was sworn-the chairman, Hon. Ed. Rice,
administering the oath, and en-
tered upon his testimony. The
examination lasted nearly two hours,
and was evidently thorough and
exhaustive. The nature of Brandt's testi-
mony is understood to have been in accord
with his previous statements as made in the
House on Saturday, and as given out by him
self and his friends, and which has for the
past forty eight hours pervaded the city in
more or less emphatic form.
Hon. S. L. Campbell, the legal luminary of
the committee, it is understood, questioned,
the witness sharply and severely upon vari-
Gus phases of his testimony, and it is said,
with such effect, that in several important
particulars the conference of the story was
seriously if not fatally impaired.
Other members of the committee, at
times, joined in, and judging from the ex-
cited tones of the witness, as conveyed
through somewhat attenuated keyhole,
land here The GLOBE representative en-
phatically and earnestly protests against
Hon. L. H. Bishop again interposing his
bulky physique, thereby intercepting both
sight and sound) the interrogatories thus
put were of a decidedly puzzling character.
The dulcet tones of Hon. S. L. Campbell
were heard more than once, asking informa-
ton as to how witness could say
that he could conscientiously vote
for the amendments, after having
promised SO to do, in consideration of
the money which he then had in his pocket,
to all of which the witness persisted in af-
frming his conscientious convictions in
favor thereof without regard to any induce
ment in the shape of bride. According to
8 minutes to o'clock Che took out his
the swag in his pocket hurried off to the
capitol, thence into the State treasurer's Of
fee, where he exhibited his bonanza and
made known his intention to give it to the
speaker (Gilman).
AS far as the sensitive ears of eager
listeners could make out, the rapid utter
ances of the excited witnesses, the story, or
to speak more concisely, that portion of it
which could be overheard, manifested a
woeful lack of consistency, which was but
little to be expected from the confident as
sertions of overwhelming proof paraded SO
ostentatiously on Saturday, In fact, the
corroborating circumstances which were
heralded with a flourish of trumpets by the
friends of the text book bill were wholly
wanting, and it is not straining
point to characterize Rhe whole thing as
supremely ridiculous. At least this was the
language which The GLOBE representative
actually overheard, coming from the sacred
precincts of the committee room, and which
was evidently not intended for ears profane
(outside.)
The weakness of Brandt's testimony, as
far as it leaked out during the day, was gen
orally recognized by Brandt's friends
last evening, in their illusions to ii
at the hotels and elsewhere. In
fact, general feeling of disappoint-
ment was noticeable, which indicated
that their witness had not reached the ele-
waited point they anticipated. They, however
still professed to believe that Hon. John
Geib, of Sibly, the next witness to appear
before the committee, will materially
strengthen Brandt. Probably the tenor OF
the general sentiment cannot be better ex.
pressed than by the remark made last even
ing by distinguished advocate of the text
book bill, to the effect, that while he believed
Brandt was honest, it was the worst bunglec
Job he had ever known man i1
his senses to attempt to put up or
anybody.
It is understood that at the preliminary
interchange of views by the several members
of the committee, the expression of opinion
seemed to be unanimously in favor of {
thorough probing of the affair from top Il
bottom.
In conclusion, it is bnt simple act o.
justice to member of the House to STATE
that the statement of the Minneapolis Ia'ib
une, telegraphed from this city yesterday
that he was implicated by Mr.. Brandt's ties
timony is wholly and thoroughly false, a
that gentleman's name was not mentioned b,
the witness OF any other person in tn
committee room during the morning
session or at any time. The publication o
such statement is greatly to be deplored
as the truth of the allegation above mad
will be readily substantiated by any mem
Der of the committee.
The committee, after two hours session
adjourned, to meet this morning at O'Clock
1T IS believed that some three or more wit
nesses will be examined, and as it is posi-
BILE no counsel will be allowed, it is not i'm
probable the committee will report thi
evening or early tomorrow morning.
| "A Presentation.
Mr.. Theodor Sander, having resigned hi
position as manager of the Volkszeituug
the compositors and subs of the news room
formerly in the employ of the Staatszeat1tn1
and Volhsblatt, surprised the gentleman Oh
Saturday in way che did not despise.'' Mr.
/ Sander into no