Los Angeles daily herald., 1886-02-20
MORE CROOKEDNEsS.
Bribery and Corruption
Charged and Denied.
THE SUPERVISORS INDIGNANT,
They Resolve That They are I'm.
corruptible and Prove 1t
by Themselves.
THE SUPERVISORS INDIGNANT.

The rumors that the Supervisors were
at last going to reject the plans of John
Hall for the new Jail building after they
had accepted them, have been very
thick for a few days, insomuch
that that gentleman considered 1t pru-
dent to secure influence with the Board
from third parties. and for said inhu.
ence was willing to and did pay coin.
The parties who are charged with re-
ceiving the money deny the charge
aud the plot has become interest
ing and wide reaching More par
ties are supposed to be in
terested in the matter than have yet
been mentioned. This crookedness will
delay the erection OF the jail for a time.
Following are the regular proceedings
and resume OF the testimony.
The Board met pursuant to adjourn
ment. Present, full Board and the
Clerk.
In the matter Of Jail plans-It having
been alleged that money had been paid
by John Hall, architect, to 4. Bouton
aud T. ID. Mott TO be used to prevent
the rejection Of his plans after the saole
had been adopted, and Supervisor Kinds
and county officers having demanded an
investigation, Mr.. +. ". Cherry was
sworn us shorthand reporter. The
Board was represented by District At
torney Holton. John Hall by Messrs.
Williams and Mckinley, aud Messrs.
Borton and Mott by Attorney Morgan.
The following witnesses were sworn
and testified: John Hall, r.. II. Hol-
comb, w. G. Furrey, T. d. Mott. Il.
Bouton, w. J. Brodrick, w. IL. Perry.
James Thompson, George Hines, @. III.
Dunsmoor and George M. Holton. Su-
pervisor Foord also made statement.
THE TESTIMONY.
Mr.. Hall was the first Witness ex-
smined, and the substance Of his testi-
mony was as follows: Upon the next
morning after the Board had adopted his
plans, he was met by General Bouton
who said that he wanted to meet him
in the Temple Block. A short time
afterwards he met General Bouton who
requested me to meet him in room 80.
Temple Block. He there saw Mr..
Bouton and Mr.. T. ID. Mott. Mr..
Bouton informed me that | would have
to hand over $1,000 or 81 200, and in
case refused to comply with the de-
mand said they would have my plans
thrown out, at the same time saying that
County Clerk Dunsmoor, Sheriff George
II. Gard, District Attorney Holton
and Supervisor Kinds were ia the
thing. Some more conversation followed
Soon after this meeting Gen. Bouton
again saw me, in the presence of Mr..
Mott, and informed me that Mr.. Kinds
was going to Arizona, and thai l must
produce $500 before he went. l in
formed them that had not the money,
but would get it. Then went to II. III.
Holcomb and he loaned me the $500.
which gave to Gen. Bouton." The
witness also stated that he signed an
agreement to pay over 500 of the first
money he received from the Board. Mr..
Hall also swore that Jailor Thompson
came to him this morning and urged
him to have Holcomb leave town-to go
to Santa Monica, or to take long ride
on the street cars.
MIR. Il. ID. Mott was then called, and
after denying having any knowledge OF
the above statement, said that Hall had
come to him upon several occasions and
solicited his influence to have the plans
adopted. Mr.. Mott further stated that
he had always been o friend to Mr..
Hall, and did what he could in helping
him in business affairs.
General Bouton was then called and
denied ever having any conversation
with Hall. or ever having received q
cent from him. In fact" said the
General, II have heard more about this
affair during the short time that l
have been in this room than ever be.
FORE"
X. ii. Holcomb was called, ard stated
that he was informed by Hall this
morning that parties had called at his
Office and advised him to have me take
a trip out OF town, that there was
subpoena for me; but no one approached
me in person. Holcomb also testified
that he was present when the demand
was made by Mott and Bouton for $1,000.
and that he loaned $500 to Hall.
MIR. Holcomb also said that he had
been told by Mr.. Mott that for $500
he (Holcomb) could secure the contract
for doing the cell work on the jail.
Heloomb said that he had no bank with
him and declined the proposition.
w. j. Brodrick was also examined in
regard to the written agreement, but
stated that he was not familiar with the
handwriting. He stated that he had
seen the agreement before; that Hall
had shown it to him.
The Board then took a recess until
1880.
AFTERNOON SESSION
Yesterday afternoon w. Ii. Perry tes-
titled that Hall had applied to him for
loan of 500, but he had declined, and
had referred him to S. ii. Mott.
Messrs. Kinds, Holton, Dunsmoor and
Foord testified that they had never re-
ceived any money, nor had ever been
approached to use their influence for
money for Halls plans,
Tailor Thompson testified that he had
advised Holcomb to absent himself, but
not for the purpose of avoiding sub.
pena.
Mr.. Hall was recalled and said that
the note for 500 was given for the
purpose he had stated, aud for nothing
tlbt. liz nAiu tuab tuo OtibAhui PtORO'h
ton was that he should pay $1,000, but
he had compromised on $1,000.
The following papers were filed with
the Board:
MIR. HALLS DENIAL.
Los ANGELES, Feb. l6, 1886.
|, the undersigned, John Hall. having
heard rumors to the effect that | had
agreed or promised to pay General Il.
-Bouton and Mr.. T. d. Mott a sum of
money for the purpose Of securing the
acceptance of my plans for the county
Jail, by the County Board of Supervis.
ors, do hereby deny that have ever
agreed in any manner, shape or form, to
pay the gentlemen mentioned above any
sum of money for'such said purposes.
JOHN HALL,
Witness. w j RRODRIcK