Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-02-26

tee--Everyth1nY Lovely Tor seymour,
Sabin s. Co.--Still Pegging Away on the
Mandamus--The Testimony Concluded
Yesterday.
The special legislative committee charged
with investigating the manner of the award of
the State prison contract held its final meeting
yesterday afternoon. Mr.. Dunn, the chair
man, read a report embodying his own views
and those of majority of the members of the
committee by whom it was formally approved
and signed. 1t was agreed to submit the re-
port to the House, where the inquiry origi-
mated, this morning, and as it would be mani
testify improper to publish it in full before its
formal submission to the House, the GLOBE
merely gives the general outlines.
After reciting briefly the facts already famil-
lar to the public in connection with this case,
the report states that dillgent inquiry has
been made from all sources in which informa-
ton could be expected to reside, and the COM
mittee has come to the conclusion that the
contract entered into by the State with Sey-
mour, Sabin & Co. was the most advantageous
for the State that could be
made under the circumstances. 1t is further
claimed that no improper means were en-
cision of the inspectors and wardens. AS to
the course of the legislative standing commit
tee on State prison in recommending and adj
vising the award made, the committee does
not feel called upon to approve or condemn,
leaving their vindication to the public, and to
their own consciousness of the fitness of
things. Nothing is said regarding the over
lures alleged to have been made to TarboX to
withdraw his bid. as the members did not con-
I, g Nv ~
Auerbach was authorized by Seymour, Sabin
& Co.; and no implication should rest, even by
indirection, upon the contractors. A para
graph referring to the unhealthy nature of
shoemaking was stricken out at the sugges-
ton of several members, who did not wish to
be considered insane or more solicitous of the
health and comfort of the convicts than they
were of persons who had committed no crime.
They find no evidence upon which to base a
condemnation or criticism of any one.
The report was signed by all the members
of the committee but Mr.. McCracken. That
gentleman dissented from some portions of the
report, and will draw up minority report
or protest. which will shortly be submitted to
the House. He has not outlined his views,
but in conversation has been heard to express
sentiments that will probably be incorporated
in that document He holds that the con-
tract with Seymour, Sabin & Co. was not the
pest That could De made, as Inc stale loses the
difference between the bids of Thompson and
Seymour, Sabin 6 Co., two and half cents
on each convict employed for nine years, be-
sides $50 a year for rent of machinery and
shops. He further claims that the committee
on State prison exceeded its authority in adj
vising with the inspectors and warden as to
the award of the contract, but should
have kept aloof from the whole matter,
leaving the responsibility where the law
places tin the hands of the inspectors and
wardens. He will further recommend that
the legislature take no steps towards ratifying
the contract entered into, until after the con-
clusion of the pending proceedings before the
supreme court, as to do so would be an un-
warrantable interference with the prerogatives
of the Judiciary He will probably submit
other suggestions calculated to avoid a
recurrence of the scandal with which this con-
tract has been associated.
Thus will end the much talked of convict
labor scandal. Though there was good deal
of smoke, there proved to be but little, If any
fire. The s'prison ring" so-called, has tri-
umphed most signally once again, and unless
the supreme court interferes, will remain in
undisturbed possession of the field for five OF
nine years to come.