Omaha daily bee., 1888-11-04
MORROW AND MORRISON.
The Official Plasterer of the Board
Unbosoms Himself.
TALKING TO THE WRONG MAN
Revelations That Will Create No Lit
tie Surprise-Morrison's Right
Hand Man Will Have to
Explain.
TALKING TO THE WRONG MAI

During the controversy which arose some
weeks ago in the board of education over the
purchase of school furniture, the conduct Of
certain members aroused suspicion that
something was wrong. Steps were taken by
THE BEE to ascertain what, if any, corrupt
Influence was being used. A reporter was
detailed to keep his eye on the movements of
suspected parties and follow up
his inquiry as detective 10 a
point that would place him in full
possession of the actual state of facts.
The reporter went to work as directed and
in a short time found that one William Nor
row, plasterer by trade and ward bum
mer and corner loafer by practice, had
boasted Of limitlcss influence with certain
members of the board. This man Morrow
has been on the pay roll Of the school board
for many months as special plas-
terer and has drawn liberal allow
ances from the school fund for
time which is known to have been largely
devoted to political dirty work. Morrows
footprints were soon discovered on the track
travelled by certain members of the board,
and the fact he was the link between
boodllng agents and the vulnerable members
was established beyond doubt by the de-
tective reporter.
On certain Sunday in September the re-
porte in question disguised so, as
drummer lOr furniture factory,
walked into the yard of Morrow's house
and inquired whether Mr.. Morrow was at
home. A man with very marked counte-
nance, blear-eyed and .blotched, responded,
'Thats my name," and when told that an
interview was sought on school furniture
business he motioned the reporter to follow
him around the house out of hearing of his
family. There the two sat down and had
the following confidential talk. During the
conversation Morrow several times cautioned
the reporter to lower his voice, as If to pre-
vent anybody overhearing what was said:
Reporter-My name is Watson. l am
agent of the Minneapolis School Furniture
company and want to consult with you as
to the best way of securing the patronage Of
the board:
"Well, you are a stranger to me-" inter-
rupted Morrow, land Of course l might en-
tighten you provided knew you better. Who
referred you to met"
The reporter answered that he had been
named) to see Morrow, and succeeded in
convincing the latter that everything was all
right.
Yes" mused Morrow, doubtfull; then a
broad smile meandered over his counte-
NANCE and he continued: "This is purely a
matter of business, yod SEQ. or course you
understand that we do not do this work for
nothing"
Reporter-Yes, my experience has been
that to gain point in the desk business In
new territory little currency is very
serviceable.
Morrow-You bet that's just what it is,
and when agents don't look at it in this way
they don't reap very big harvest from their
labors in this mans town.
Reporter-SeS so other agents have given
me to understand. Now, my firm rightfully
owns this territory and we do not like to
have another manufactures monopolize the
trade. In fact, we have decided to reach out
for this patronage, and am here to-day
under instructions from my firm to secure
the patronage upon reasonable terms. Now,
l will be liberal, and although limited, will
do as well by you as any other house has
done.
Morrow-Well. as said before, business is
business, and il takes money TO buy whisky
and whisky buys votes.
RepOr.or-Now, Mr.. Morrow, as am well
| aware by your conversation that you under
| stand how to put our scheme through, what
| are your terms!
| want me TO go to work. You see anything
| that say pretty nearly goes But whatever
| you may say you will do want you 10
| stand by your word and not go back on it as
Facet, the agent Of the Grand Rapids firm,
| has done
| Reporter--I always considered HIM on tht
i squarel
| Morrow-So did I. as also did some mem
bers of the board, but we got left. He gav'
rue $50 in cash to help him in getting in HI.
tain members Of the board and giving then
suppcrs. He promised me more, but he neve
| gave me id cent more, with the excep
ti0n OF one night when we were at suppe
he handed me a s. bill. But he won't max
| anything by II. He wrote several days ago h
the board concerning matters connected wit
the letting of bids for more desks, but upol
my advice his letter was ignored. II will
not do TO make promises in matter like thi
and not carry them out.
Reportcr-No, sir, that was not a squar
deal and do not wonder that you feel some
what hurt; you want the matter conIucte
fairly, aud you are right.
Morrow-Yes. Some people might thin
that it was a system of robbery, but what
i the use or having plum il you do not &c
any good out Of it!
Reporter--Now, Mr. Morrow. what wi
you carry the prospect through for as re
CARDS the putting in of my desk in tn
schools in Omaha.
Morrow-I must have $500 at least. 1t
no small job to get thing like that through
especially when opposition has simila
| hold. But you give me $500 cash in han
aud will give you written guaranty I
put your desks in at least one school built
ing that Is now nearly completed. am sur
Il that when you once get plant here an
| as you say your firm Is liberal with its Isl
gar" you will get tull control here soone
or later Now you must understand ths
| this $500 does not go TO me. ] have TO divid
| il up among members o. the board. For 10
4 own labors | will ask that you give me Sli
outright 70 start on. 1t takes money TO
|