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

gle word regarding the offer of $4,000 Il
withdraw bid was true, either near or re
mote, contingent or in any other way directly
or indirectly, never authorized any body tt
offer it either on my behalf or in behalf of th'
concern. He would give brief state
ment of the transaction which
he thought would cover the ground
When the bids were put in, Thompson pu!
in one and Forepaugh s. Tarbox's foreman
put in another. Thompson introduced him
self to me and entered into general conyersa-
ton with him. / asked what he proposed to
manufacture agricultural implements
wanted to make arrangements with him for
part of the convict labor to run our year out,
and he said he did not think there would be
any trouble about that. He said
| he would like TO see me and
| talk the matter over. I made up my mind at
| the time that he was there for something else
afterwards met Inspector Reed and had a
| conversation with him and inquired about the
matter. He stated that it was straw bid and
would never be filled, that it would drop down
to Forepaugh & Tarboy's bid, and they were
the incest fellows in the world, and there
would be no trouble in making arrangements
WITH with them tn l., ito to run Tsar. out IT,. the
DalanCe OF INC year. Inere was u
great deal of talk of a general
tenor. There was no representation of any
money being paid. l also had conversation
with Tarbox about working out the years
business, and he said there would be no troub
BILE about it; and furthermore, that it would
be fair to state that Thompson's bid wouldn't
come in. He would be glad to do anything
that was fair and right, ETC., etc.
That in substance was the sum
f4{o IL ;c iHoro h1o
and general talk that would not be of interest
to this bidding.
Senator Gilfllan wanted to know more
about the talk with Inspector Reed.
Mr.. Sabin-It was about the 18th or 18th of
January, two or three days after the bids were
put in.
Mr.. Dunn-You may state how you came
to make proposition for that contract.
Mr.. Sabin-That proposition was made by
Mr.. DeLaittre and repea ted by Mr.. Butts, and
by the warden on either the afternoon or day
after Thompson declined to make a contract
under his bid. Mr. Meagher was present at
the time; insisted in having some shop room
included and Mr.. DeLattre objected strongly
to it at first for the whole period, and finally
said he would concede provided the contract
was ratified by the legislature with an appro-
and would make that proposition
to me and would sign it.
That was, think, the absolute statement, and
| will call upon Mr.. Meagher to verify it. l
simply wish it understood that this was
proposition made and accepted as far as it
could be, with full expectation that it would
be entered into on the following Monday, at
their regular meeting, and at that time, as I
understand it, Forepaugh 81 Tarbox becoming
aware that they did not propose to drop to the
42 cent bid, as they had expected, concluded
to renew the bid of Thompson, and claiming
to offer this as if it had been their bid all the
time.
To Senator Gilfllan---I had no conversation
with Inspector Reed after that. The PROPOSE
ton came from Mr.. De Laittre, Mr.. Butts and
Warden Reed.
Senator Gilfllan- When was this converse
tion with Inspector Reed about the straw bid?
Sabin-- Nearly week before this, before the
meeting on the Goth; before Warden Reed and
Mr.. Butts made the proposition; l think the
day after the meeting in the attorney generals
Office.
Giltllan-Did Inspector Reed say how he
knew it was straw bid?
Sabin-No sir, he did not. To be plain about
it, inferred that Reed was in cahoots with
Forepaugh 81 Tarbox, and thought had evi-
dence to prove it. l thought would test the
thing and went into his bank to talk the mat
ter over. l said, do yon know this man
Thompson? He said, do not. He did not
know him before he went over with friend,
and was never so surprised as | was when he
put in Il bid. | said, Didn't you know
there was 10 be any other bids in there?n |
said had learned that it was put in for Fore
paugh 81 Tarbox as their attorney, and it
looks as though that is the case. He said it
is straw bid. | asked him what his conclu-
sions were and he said he knew they would
never take the bid. l said it would be hard to
finish up our business, and said it would be
an accommodation to have part of the labor
and would like to know if he could get
positive arrangement by which we could get
it; we could run out our wood work and do
the iron work about the 1st of July
or August. He looked at me quizicallv,
and wanted to know if [ meant what said;
| said certainly. He asked me if l had been
to dinner, and suggested that we go into a
restaurant, which we did, and talked the mat
ter over for an hour. l said, personally the
be glad to be rid of it; the stockholders had
waited for some retuan for the money,
and it began to look as if they might get
something; some were feeling disappointed, ,and
it would be just as well in the end. I said 1t
would be hardshipto close up before the first
of August, and made the
statement which l have declared,
would be no tronble; that Forepaugh
fix them just as he wanted to if he was reap
pointed inspector and suggested that l had
better see about that now; don't think l made
any reply, but he expressed willingness to
interpose in our behalf to take us through the
season and enable us to furnish what thresh-
ing machines were wanted this year and make
arrangements for the future.
Question by q member of the committee-1t
is suggested whether you have seen to it. Re
fprrino tO Reeds re0DDOintment)
Mr.. Sabin, (sarcastically.) Well, If haven't
l will endeavor to. Ipropose to be perfectly
frank, gentlemen, about this matter. / want
the whole and all of the statements made.
This thing has been banded around-has been
made political arrangement-an personally,
as we'll as far as the company is concerned, /
want the whole matter fully understood and
the truth stated, let it hit where it may, and
the truth of the whole thing got at-and will
do all l can to bring it out
Mr.. McCracken-How many bids besides
that of Forepaugh & Tarbox were put in?
Mr.. Sabin-There was the bid of j. H. Ell
ward.
Mr. McCracken--Where does he reside?
A.--Stillwater.
Q.-Is he a stockholder in your firm?
Ale is; he is the patentee Of our machines
engines
Q.-How much was his bid?
A.-Forty cents, I will say furthermore that
Mr.. L. E. Reed knew what that bid was, too.
The committee soon after this adjourned
The MundUmuS FucEef