New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-11-17
THE STANDARD INVESTIGATION.
PURCHASING PEACE FROM AN ENEMY.

| TESTIMONY IN THE ALLEGED BRIBERY CASE BE-
FORE THE PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATIVE COM
MTTEE.
The members of the PENNSYLVANIA Legisla-
tive Committee appointed to investigate the charges that
the Standard OIL Company had bribed witness to sup
press testimony in the suit to collect taxes brought
against the company by the Commonwealth sat
reading newspapers in parlor No. 100 of the
Leland House. yesterday morning, awaiting the ar
rival OF President Gowen, OF the Philadelphia
and Reading Railroad Company. The investigation
instituted the recommendation OF Attorney General
Lewis c. Cassidy after Mr.. GOwen had made the aega-
ton OF bribery, before the Pennsylvania legislature Mr.
Gowen assisted by c. H. Burton, conducts the principal
part OF the examination. Mr.. Gowen came in about
10. 80 Am, and the investigation was begun. There
were present Senators John Grady chairman) and A.
j. Herr, Representatives George s. Csrk, James l..
Graham, Jacob Ziegler. John W. Walker, Thomas Me-
Reynolds and Joseph J. McCunn sergeant-at-arms.
s. G.. T. Dodd and NJ f. Olmsted, OF Pennsylvania, ap-
peared as counsel for the Standard Oil Company.
Henry NJ Flager, formerly secretary Of the Standard
OIL Company, examined by Mr. Gowen. He testified
that he knew nothing of any payments made to f. G.
Patterson lthc witness who Mr. GOwen says was bribed)
by the Standard OIL Company any affiliated corpora
tiOn All of the financial lepors.prepared by the
pany Tor in the suits by the State full and
complete.
John ID. Archbold president of the Acme Oil Company
and member of the executive committee of the Stand
ard organizations testified at length regarding his deal
ings with Mr.. Patterson. In 1881 he made agree
ment with Attorney General Cassidy Of Pennsylvania TO
furnish him with oil the facts necessary TO prepare
basis which the State suit for back could go to
trial These facts covered every point Of the business
relations OF the Standard Oil Company In Pcnnsyyan
which claims for taxes could he based On this agree
mont the made up and went TO trial. resulting
in decisions by the Court in favor of the Standard Com
pany Before the trial came of the witness had an in
tcryew in NcwYori with Roger Sherman In which Mr..
Sherman gave notice that Mr.. Patterson would not be
bound by the agreement of the Attorney General with
respect dispensing with oral testimony. At this inter-
view the witness said he raised the question whether Mr.
Patterson could not be given position by the standard
In which he could his living legtMaelv instead of
by Matchmaking the Standard After the states suit
was decided In favor Of the company MI Arch6old ar.
ranged with Mr. Patterson that II the latter would dest
from his constant attacks on the standard he would he
paid 700 for his expenses I'm previous aud be
provided with position at $1,000 year.
Mr.. GOwCu Xamining the witness asked: HOu
knew that Mr.. Patterson employed by the state TO
collect evidence against your company when you made
your suggestion to Mr.. Sherman. Why, then, did you
wish To secure him in your seryiceH
The tax had already been made up" said Mr..
Archbol. and Mr. Patcrsons position in regard to it
Glow did You pay Mr.. Patterson the first install
mcnt $500, OF the slj,OOO' Am bank bills at the
Gid you do that so that there would be no record
by checN A.-No sir; only to obiSc Mr.. Patterson;
We never made y>tcry Of the matter.
QWa- there any stipulation that he 10 be at lib
ery after the payment To evidence for the state
against y0ui A.-Ncycr. at any time. The tax case
not discussed the payment related solely to the de
si-ug by Mr. Patterson of his malicious and malignant
attacks which disturbed relations In rhe oil
rc-i9ns cannot name any specific instance outside
OF Mr.. PJttcr-Ou'~ action when warning with
the Producer, Union and I'm the tax
Attorney General Cassidy, who had arrived n few
minutes before then asked the witness whether he had
any knowledge OF the payment Of any money in any way
10y the STANDARD for the Suppressed OF testimony In the
tax case. know of none whatever" replied the
witness either by the Standard or any Of its affiliated
COmpIuc-."
At this point Representative Zicglor asked: Did Pat
trr-on not try To prostitute the Producers Union IN
TluSyc Ia attacks the standard I'm order to benefit
himself personality That + the Inference would draw
from his action" replied Mr. Archbold.
The reason why ask him that" added Mr.. Xegler,
d" l. because / member Of the Union aud that
! always my opinion. I wanted IL confirmed"
Mr. Grdy-NOu were sold ont, probably, Mr. Icgler.
Mr. ZIcglcr-Ncycr mind; my production was only
quart day
The committee adjourned to NEE, in Philadelphia on
December 30