Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-02-22
J. Fanninp. Sworn.

Question. Have you any knowledge of money
being offered to any member of the Legislature
to induce him to vote on the text book bill, or
any other question coming before the Legisla-
ture?
A. have not.
Mr. Bowler was disposed to question the /
thoroughness of some of the questions put by /
the committee,
Judge Campbell retorted that the very ques-
tions sent in by the gentleman himself to be
propounded to Mr.. Lien were put an answered, |
and were embodied in tiayreport -ia-almost the |
identical language used by the gentleman, Mr..
Bowler.
Mr.. Rice further explained that the examine
| ton was made as thorough as possible, and that
every question bearing on the matter had been
asked.
Mr.. Lien demanded that Mr.. Bowler cross
examine him.
Mr.. Colvill said the evidence exposed most
disgraceful transaction, and that some action
should be taken by the House. The transac
tion was devious and questionable one. He
wanted to know if this transaction of Liberty
Hall, who wanted political support, was speci-
men of civil service reform. The transaction
| should be stamped as it deserves. He was sur
| prised at one transaction-that the gentleman
from Carver, who proclaimed his knowledge of
the transaction, should, when he went before
it.
Mr.. Mills put in disclaimer and Mr.. Col
will said Mills had said he (NIills) knew of one
case, and yet he declined to answer.
/ Mr.. Mills said the offer had nothing in it
about money or other valuable consideration,
and that he declined disclosing on the ground
| of personal relations.
/ Mr.. Colvill said he had understood the reason
for the gentlemans refusal to answer was that
it had connection with some secret society. He
wanted the views Of the House on that. He
was glad Brandt's evidence showed that he
could conscientiously vote for the amendment.
Mr.. Mead hoped that The House. if it meant
to take any action with this man Hall. who he
had no doubt had committed bribery well dis
perjury, would do SO Immediately, before the
close of the present term of the criminal courts
of Ramsey county.
MIR. McCrea said he believed the committee
had done their duty.
Mr.. s. L. Campbell said he had called upon
the leaders of the text book bill and every one
of them said he knew nothing but rumOrs. He
said to the author of the bill, send attorney
in to cross-examine the witnesses and give us
their names and they will be summoned. The
insinuation was that they wanted to whitewash.
. That was not the case, The committee did not
| employ attorneys and detectives to bring every
particle of evidence they could gather. No
4 one had been before them who was unwilling tC
I answer all questions of the House right here
He could get nothing but rumors. He had nc
v disposition to whitewash
/. Mr.. Bowler insisted upon his original state
e ment. He wanted to throw out no insinuatior
against the committee, but he would like t.
ask whether any lawyer would have been salts
fed with such an examination.
! On motion of Mr.. Purdie, the House took
: recess to $50.
. AFTERNOON SESSION.
Mr.W.M NJ. Campbell said the report of the com
mittee had been sufficiently thorough, and for hi
% part he was glad no more disgraceful matters ha
i H. 4,
" port Of the committee.
|, MIR. Williams was willing to be cross-ex an
n ined by any one who was not satisfied with hi
K examination before the committee.
re Mr.. McDermott was dissatisfied with the az
lg ton of the investigating committee. He wa
N proceeding to speak of the matter, when NJ
e0 Dresbach of Winona made the point that tn
gentleman out of order.
The point was sustained, and Mr.. Campbell
motion was carried almost unanimously.
ID Mr.. Morse, who had voted in the negativ,
70 thought the report should be recommitte
" to the committee with instructions to repol
Z their conclusions Of fact.
p Mr.. w. M. Campbell hoped the House woul
~ do no such thing. If any one was in contemI
ed of the House for refusing to answer question
proposed by the committee, that was sepa
ate matter and had nothing to do with this r
~ port.
MIR. Robinson moved the report be recommi
of the committee. He appealed to the Hou
!, to bring out all the facts and to allO
III no one to be screened matter who may
hurt.
,at Mr.. Campbell was willing to have the col
mittee investigate Mills case and would vo
80 to instruct the committee to do SO. He offer
an amendment to that effect.
Mr. Rice contended that the committee h
lie not been instructed to report their conclusio
but only the facts.
r II .Ho ell. IL,
no after some discussion, went over under mott
= of debate by Mr.. Buffum:
10 WHEREAS, The report of the committee
To- .: this House. appointed to investigate into
lot matter of the alleged bribery of Hon. Char
ecu Brandt, a member of the House of Represent
10 10 tives discloses the fact that Liberty Hail.
.i m the 18th day of February, A. D., 1873, at t
III city of st. Paul. in this State did wilfully al
IKE corruptly give ffty-dollar BILL of the val
SO. of fifty dollars, to the Hon. Charles Brant
I'M then and there member of this House,
me the purpose of corruptly tempting and compe
ng sating said Hon. Charles Brandt to vote CT
IL ruptly and under restraint for certain amer
l U ments to be proposed to the Merrill text DO
Ms; bill, then pending before the House; and tt
ing said Hon. Charles Brandt did receive said fit,
US. dollar bill; therefore,
10 ResoleS, That Liberty Hall be, and here
al. is in contempt of this House of Reprcsen
'oh tives for his wilful and corrupt conduct
''i bribing, attempting to bride said HI
ul Charles Brandt, one of its members, while
up. House Of REPRESENTATIVES. was in session: a
y, IN that the said House of Representatives here
UT. directs It's honorable Speaker to cause
ure orrest ..;d Liberty Hall and h,;no him hnf
I'm, the body of the house to receive its censu
ook and to abide its future action in the premis
mi, Mr.. Buffum gave notice of debate.
Mr.. Purdie moved to suspend the rules.
ey, M Sahin inunired whatauthority this Ho
his b.d over the nerson of Mr. HaIIS
un- Mr.. Purdie's motion was then put, and,
to -
his r.o.,e..e, Ey...:o