Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-02-24

The special committee appointed to inyesti-
gate the alleged frauds in connection with the
letting of the State prison award Tor convict
labor, resumed the examination OF witnesses
in the House judiciary room last evening The
attendance of SPECTATORS and witnesses was
large. and the small room was uncomfort-
ably crowded The Investigation was prin-
cipally conducted by Mr.. Dunn, who was
seconded by Mr. McCracken, who Kept the
ball rolling whenever the interest seemed to
flag, that gentleman putting in his oar at
every convenient hiatus.
j. B. TARBoX.
Mr.. j. B. Tarbox was called to the witness
rack at o'clock. He startled the interlocu-
tor, Mr.. Dunn, by giving the name of the mys-
terious party to the Investigation at the first
hop II proved to be Mr.. Maurice Auerbach,
The conversation was as follows:
Mr. Dunn-Mr. TarboX, you remember your
attention was called at the last meeting TO
proposition in which $4,000 purchase money
was alluded TO; will you state the name oil Inc
gentleman who made the offer?
Witness-Yes sir; his name is Maurice Auer-
bach; there were three interviews; couldn I re-
member what was said at the first interview;
u
Wet labor; he had been in the habit OF calling
on witness: couldn't recall what had been said
during the interview at the dwelling house;
there had been something said about the SlO,-
900 offer; Mr. Auerbauch called up the sub
iect; witness couldn't recall the conversation;
a card of explanation had been printed in the
newspapers; the reporter called on Mr.. Fore
paueh; witness had receiveda call from Mr..
Foster of Griggs & Foster; the said Mr.. Sa-
bin had called on him and wanted to know
what they would give or take to get out OF the
way.
In substance, he said cit don't make any
difference what your rights are you can't get
the contract" He stated that Mr.. Sabin had
requested him to call Witness asked Foster
what Mr. Sabin would take to get out of the
way; he said he didn't know; this was after
the conversation with Mr.. Auerbach;
had no further conversation with Mr. Foster.
MAURICE AUERBAcH.
Nj Auerbach was then called to the stand;
he testified substantially rs follows:
Had a conversation with Mr.. Tarboz; had
made no definite proposition TO withdraw his
bid: asked him to withdraw the contract;
was acting for no one; had had no converse
ton with Mr Sabin; did not say that relied
on Seymour s. Sabin to make the proposition
good; simply said l would rather take the
money than run the chances; it is possible
that there we're one or two other interviews;
had not called the third time
TO bring up the $4,000 subject;
could not remember what was said;- not
acting in favor Of the inspectors or anybody
else connected with the States prison; had
simply called in a voluntary and friendly way.
By Mr.. McCraken-Am acquainted with the
members of the firm of Seymour, Sabin u Co.;
have known them for twenty years; didn't
suppose from what he had heard that Mr..
Torhox would ihp contract and wanted
him to make some money.
Nh Sabin- inquired if Mr.. Auerbach was
not called to Forepaugh u IarboX's Office
and questioned as to Thompson's bid, and
given to understand that Mr.. Thompson's
bid was their bid. Witness answered in the
affirmative; had not gone there on purpose;
had been an intimate friend of the firm; Mr.
Forepaugh had been partner of witness:
had been on their bond; had signed the bond
for $4,000.
Mr. Tarbox was recalled and stated that the
exact words of Mr. Foster were that "Sabe
wanted him (Foster) to call on the firm"
A. G. FOSTER.
Mr.. A G. Foster was called to the stand and
testified as follows: Had an inter view with
Mr. Tarbox about convict labor, had not seen
him at anyone's request; had not
seen him at Mr. Sabin's re-
quest; might have made him believe so;
had little talk with him; said he probably
put the bid in to make little money; told
him didn't think he would get it; asked him
how much he had been offered to get out of
the way; he said $4,000, and that it wasn't
enough. [Laughterl. Saw Mr.. Sabin; asked
him how much be would give; he replied,
'Not a id cent [laughtcr] and
as Mr.. Tarbox thought $4,000
was not enough there was no
chance for a compromise. Renewed laughterl
of ha firm Of Say-
mour, Sabin & Co.; expected to make some
thing as a stock holder in the way of dividends
loud and continued laughter); lam q stock
holder and went; dropped in one day and had
talk with Mr. Forepaugh; told Mr.. TarboX
that thought he had no show of getting
there; it was self interest that had prompted
the visit; could not give the exact converse
ton; told him he was after a forlorn hope;
after leaving, he telephoned for me to come
to his office again; he asked me what
Sabin would give for them to get out of the
way; witness replied that he didn't know.
By Mr.. Donahue-Am A years old; have a
good memory; wanted to get in front Of Mr..
Tarbox.
By Mr.. McCracken Have been stock
holder for four or five years; Mr. Goodhue
kept the books; couldn't say how the business
went only knew that there had been no dividend.
Iaughter) Witness then gave the names of
the stockholders.
Mr.. Marsh asked OF Tie WlLneSS III he was
an officer of the corporation, and if he had
had any authority to make such statements
relating to the offer of $4,000.
Witness replied that Sabln SAID before he
would give Forepaugh & Tarbox $4,000 he
would let the State have the benefit, and that
the difference between the two contracts was
not $4,000.
ATTORNEY GENERAL START.
Witness testified to having prepared the
contract as requested He recited the bids,
the terms of the contract and Mr.. Thompson 8
objection and his proposition to modify his
bid. Subsequently Thompson presented con-
tract almost identical with the one prepared
by him (Start.)
SENATOR WEDGE.
This witness is chairman of the Senate COM
mittce on State prison. He testified to the
visit of the committee 10 saltwater and the
conference of the committee with the inspec-
tors relative to the award He argued that
shoe making was unhealthy. Inspector Reed
was present but did not urge Thompson's bid
The committee unanimously recommended
the award be made to Seymour, Sabn Il Co.
D. NJ sAB1N FREES HIS MIND.
Mr.. D. NJ. Sabin having been invited to
make a statement to the committee said there
had been a great deal of random talk, and 6