Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-01-19
THE STATE PRISON.
HOW THE ARBITRATION NATTER
WIS CONDUCTED.
The Slanderous Assault of Bill Kings Paper
on Gen. Sibley and Attorney General Will
son-Interviews with Those Gentlemen.

General Sibley was interviewed by GLOBE
reporter last evening, and, although reluc.
tant to appear to attach much Importance to
the wholesale charges made by Bill Kings
paper against the commission in the case of
the State of Minnesota and Seymour, Sabln
& Co., he cheerfully responded to the ques-
tions, as follows
R.-Did you seek position on the COM
mittee?
A.-On the contrary, knew nothing of it
until saw my name in the act, and was
only induced to accept the appointment be-
cause l appreciated the compliment, and
deemed it my duty as citizen not to shirk
the duty, however unpleasant.
R.-How was the third man selected by
yourself and M. Johnson?
Al put down the names of several gen
tlemen, Gen. Hubbard, of Red Wing, among
the number, and told Mr.. johnson he might
choose any one of them. Being personally
acquainted with Gen. Hubbard and not with
the others, he asked me to designate him,
and l was pleased that he had selected him,
and he was accordingly written to, but it
was only after urgent persuasion that he
consented to accapt the position.
R.-Wha5 course did you adopt in con-
Quoting tho business of the commission?
Ave notified the State authorities and
Seymour, Sabin & Co., that we were ready to
proceed, and requested them to produce
documents and any evidence they
might have. The attorney general
handed i'll those in his possession, as did the
other party. The com missioners spent sew
eral days in perusing and scrutinizing the
claims and testimony, which was very volum-
nous, and in visiting and critically examin-
ing the buildings erected by S., S. & Go. in
the State prison grounds. We then took up
the respective claims of the parties seriatim,
and passed upon them one by one. The
first was a claim of the State against Sey-
mour, Sabin Il Co. for convict labor, etc., of
1884 ,628.59, which was admitted to be cor
rect, and with interest added of $2.O2O.9O
made total of $36,649.39. Then the claim
of Seymour, Sabin q Co., including interest,
of $41 ,43l.9l for buildings, shops, etc., leav-
ing a balance due by the State of So 1872. SO
to be paid in convict labor. The
third item was a claim of Seymour,
Sabin & Co., against the State for damages
occasioned by the non-fulflment of the
contract of S33, $780, which was strongly sup
ported by the evidence of experts, master
mechanics, ETC. This was after considerable
discussion disallowed, but as comparative
ly unimportant concession, the price of the
convict labor was fixed at 40 instead of 45
cents per day. The other items we're passed
without dissent, requiring the State to pur-
chase part of the machinery, engines, etc.,
in the month of March, 1880, and the re-
mainder at the expn alton of the contract speci-
flying only such as shall be in use and in good
order and condition, and the value to be fixed
by competent appraisers. The first purchase
to be paid quarterly in convict labor. Also
declaring all questions between the parties
to be definitely settled; confirming the con.
tract as existing, except as changed or modi-
fed-any of such changes and notifications
to form part OF the contract.
R.-Do you know what was the animus of
the violent attack made upon the commits
sion by the Pioneer Press?
Al do not. I have been personally on
good terms with the editors and proprietorE
of that paper, and have no conception of the
object in view.
R.-You have, believe, asked for an in
yestigation by the legislature.
Al nave, and most earnestly desire it
and so does Gen. Hubbard, who called upo1
me to-day, and Mr.. johnson also courts it,
II the examination does not elicit facts
showing great gain to the State, instead Of
loss as charged, I shall be greatly mistaken
l have to-day sent communication to the
Il. z. which I hope will appear in to-
morrows paper.