The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-02-27

| ChesCnuts-and exceedingly nutritious
they arc :lot only roasted, but ground in
TO Hour when dry, and baked as cakes.
IN Corsica they are more important
crop than even wheat; in fact, chestnuts
arc called "Corsican bread"
THE SCHOOL BOOK BUSINESS.
what the Investigating Committee De,
VeIoped On the Briber, t1u. stIon.
Ihe House committee appointed to in
Vestlgate the charges of G. G: Brandt relative
TO bribery in the school text book matter,
atter three days investigation, submitted the
following report:
| , Inc committe appointed to investigate into
| 1he truth OF charges of bribery and corruption
connected with the Merrill school textbook
| bill respectfully report that they have been
engaged in said investigation at different times
since 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
nave been used to defeat said bill, to furnish
sad 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 4E
lhat the testimony SO taken is herewith SUBJ
m m As to the effect of said testimony or
t ene bearing thereof, your committee do not
feel called upon to express an opinion as the
testimony is very short and easily comnre-
hended by the House.
Il All or winch Is respectfully submitted
EDMUND RICE.
W. II. FEL1ER
l.. H. BISHOP
N. RICHARDSON,
S. l.. CAMPBELL
Ihe testimony was then read, and the fol-
lowing is that of the Lending actors in the
matter.
Chas. c: Brandt.
On Friday there seemed to be rumor at1oat
Uhat money was being used in connection with
the school textbook bill. Geib, Klossner and
myself room together at the International
we retlr te about ten. After we had been in bed
snort time, persons raped at the door and
called Gelb: He got up to let the person in
discovered it to be Anderson member of
the House. He stated his desire to speak to Geib,
outside the room. Geib and Anderson left the
room. Some time thereafter Geib returned.
lie 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
ms vote. Said he had been at the Merchants
Hotel and had been offered 300 for his vote.
Ihat money was not rendered him, but the
party Party took piece of paper, and saw it marked
1Vo ana SAID IT 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.
Geib seemed indignant, that money should
be offered him. I'felt indignant and took it
very seriously. 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
II l could. The idea never entered my head that
would change my vote on any matters. NV
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. Il
concluded to get hold of money to- expose the
matter, II Gelb would go with me witness.
at f+e.:- II wsnU uown
must he done before the bill came up for
decision. I asked Geib if 1 could depend on
him. Geib said, 'You can depend on me all the
time.'
Geib 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. Geib intro
duced me to Liberty Hall. Geib left the room.
I sat down.
Hall asked me what thought of the text
book bill. said thought it was good bill
and ought to pass. He said he thought not.
&c had some more general conversation. and he
asked me what 1 thought of the amendments.
l 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
6rlcts Whetner they took books or not. SAID
could vote for it conscientiouily, as it would
not affect my district. Then he asked if he
could talk business l said he might. He
then said he would give me $50 if would vote
for the amendment.
He then took from his pocket bill. It was
$50 L put it in my pocket Then he says,
will you vote for that amendment?' an
swered, as l said before, Il can Conscientious
lly.'. l 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 ne if
would vote for other amendments that might
come up. made no reply. l said to Hall
was anxious to get to the capitol by nine o'clock,
and made no answer to his questions, and i'm
mediately 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. l told my story to
Col. Pfander and showed him the bill. I then
went to the House and the committee knows
what I did then. I sent the same bill to the
clerks desk. Iasked Geib. on my way to the
capitol, why he left the room, and he said Hall
told him to do so.