Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-08-23
BULLYING BARTLETT.
He Tries His Dictatorial Style on the
Committee and Gets Snubbed.
SENATOR DORIAN TO THE FORE.
He Informs the P0mpous Bartlett that
He Can't Order the Com
mittee About.
THE PIOUS KERR VERY BLAND.
Stumbles Through the Accounts With
ont Explaining Anything.
THE SHOEMAKER CARPENTER.
How He Did His Work While His
Partner Sent the Superin-
tendent to He'll.
SENATOR DORIAN TO THE FORE.
THE PIOUS KERR VERY BLAND.
Stumbles Through the Accounts With
out Explaining Anything.
THE SHOEMAKER CARPENTER.
Especial Telegram to the Globe.

Especial Telegram to the Globe.
ST. PETER, Aug. pa gloomy and lowering
morning greeted the members OF the Senatorial
committee when they made their appearance
at an early hour. The hospital ambulance wagon
was ordered for half-past eight and was pune
tual at the hotel. Just as the committee were
prepared to drive off the rain came down as
though the gates of the armament between the
waters were opened and the whole heavens fell
in one delug1ng flood. Your correspondent
was almost swept away in his light buggy, and
he never but one occasion drove
through so heavy IL rain. The
committee had expected to see the reverend
clerk of works, treasurer, secretary and trustee
Kerr at the hospital on their arrival, but they
were disappointed. 1t was not many minutes,
however, after their arrival before the parsons
one horse shay drove up. Your correspondent
was the first of course to receive him. AS he
stepped from his buggy he came forward with
bland smile and shook hands and instead of
overwhelming him with scowls and frowns
and bitter reproaches he spoke kindly
words in his most ducet tones and in his
suavest manner. In little while he appeared
in the board room and shook hands cordially
with all the members of the committee.
KERR TO FRONT.
The business of the morning commenced by
u reference to Damren's contract. There was
only slight skirmishing at first, but Senator
Morton seeing his opportunity, brought on the
first little attack which showed the reverend
gentleman that the battle was to be sharp
one. Senator Morton asked if Damren was
not superintendent of work some time. Rev.
Kerr said he
Senator Morton-Had you proof of his
pacty?
Mr.. Kerr-Yes, or he would not have been
appointed
Senator Morton-Were you not well aware
that Damren entirely incompetent?
Mr.. Kerr-Ho had worked for us a long time,
and we thought him quite competent.
Senator Nlorton-Was it not a notorious fact
that before he worked for the institution that
Damren was shoemaker and did he not show
his utter incapacity in building some stairs
which perfectly useless!
Rev. Kcrr-He had heard that Cameron had
been shoemaker. He did not think Cameron
was to blame for the stairs.
Senator Morton-Would a man who could
not lay out staircase be proper man to SUI
perintend such building as this asylum?
Rev. Kerr-We had supposed that Mr.. Dam
rem carpenter and an engineer of consd-
cradle experience in building bridges during
the war. We did not know till lately that he
had ever been shoemaker.
Senator Morton-It will perhaps be better to
leave this matter till we call experts to testify
on the subject, Do you know anything about
o
could not give any satisfactory explanation of
the matter to extra payment for work in the
contract.
Rev. Kerr, referring to a little book 6x8 inch
es. in which the minutes of the building COM
mittee were kept read short entry of about
half IL dozen lines in reference to the porticos.
Senator Morton-We ind Mr.. Kerr, that
there is wide spread feeling here that Mr.
Damren was unfit for the position of superin-
tendent, and that he was brother-in-law to one
of the trustees is why he employed.
Rev. Kerr-We never doubted his qualltica-
tions and we never took into consideration the
fact of his being brother-in-aw of one of the
trustees
Senator Morton-I put it to you, do you
think shoemaker would be fit for the po-
sition? Neither you nor L would be quallled
for such an important work.
Senator Doran-What especial qualification
had he that satisfied you that he was qualified!
Rev. Kerr-He worked here as a carpenter,
and we heard nothing against him.
Mr.. Doran-Had you not other carpenters
also at work? What it that made you
chose this man Damren from the rest, if it was
not that he was the brother-in-law to one of the
trustees?
Rev Kerr-It is misfortune to te
have brother-in-law.
Mr.. Doran-Is it not a little strange thai
there is no account of any settlement witt
Damren Il Snyder for their contracts with thu
asylum?
Rev. Kerr-Do you mean with Damren alone
or with the firm of Snyder u Damren? Dam
rem as superintendent paid per diem!
Senator Morton--I mean Snyder Damren
there are large contracts and large payment
made but no settlement entry to show an.
settlement had been made.
Senator Doran-In the matter of deadenin
the floor, can you give any explanation OF that
Rev. X rr-Damren and Snyder came before
the committee and stated that the deadenlng o
the floor was not involved in their bids, an
they made an offer to do it for $780,
Mr.. Doran-Was not Copeland superintend
ent then?
Rev. Kerr-Yes.
Mr. Morton--Did not he insist that the dead
ening was involved in the original contract?
Mr.. Kerr-I think he said it should be; we
he did in fact insist that 1t was involved i
this contract. but it was a question OF eqult
with us and we allowed 1892 for the deadenlns
Mr.. Doran-Did not Copeland tell you tina
if you take down your plans and specification
you would find that the deadening was col
tracted in it.
Mr. Kerr don't remember if he did; /
might have done so.
Senator Morton-Was not that what he wa
employed for, to stand between the contracto
and the trustees?
Mr.. Kerr supposed he
Mr. Morton-Had Mr.. Copeland any intere
in the work or contracts one way or the othe1
Did he not advise you that the work should
done by the contractor?
Mr. Kerr thought perhaps he did.
Mr. Rice-Did not the other bids include t.
deadening?
Mr.. Kerr can't say. 1 think an explain
ton of the whole is just here-Snyder is o
of the best carpenters in the valley. He al
Damren contracted to do the work for us at t
first. We thought Damren was good man,
ne was taken as partner by Snyder Th
worked for year and half and when
wanted superintendent thought Damn
was the man. The committee supposed I
deadenino of the floor was in the contract, (
AS an act of Justice we allowed 1852. The
ference between Snyder and Damren's bid, a
the next one, was some 81, 100.
Mr.. Doran-Then as court OF equity
allowed 1862, and it appears from this bill
also allowed 81 ,8l5 for COS extra days work
the same work.
Mr.. Kerr--There were some doubts in
matter. and we decided in Justice to make
allowance. There frequently happens t
there are some doubts differences betw
the contracting parties.
Senator Morton-That's true, but when u
is q doubt it is always decided against {
Rev. Kerr-Looking over the bill Of extr