The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1892-03-25
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PLOT.
Roth Is Informed That His Vote Is
Worth Something.

Roth Is Informed That His Vote Is
Worth Something.
Alderman Roth then proceeds: at was
during that period while they were seeking
for additional help to pass the ordinance
over the veto that / was first spoken to in
regard to getting money fol my vote.
was spoken to by one of the O'Briens,
who said that could receive q considera.
ton for my vote" Knowing that the
leading newspapers were fighting the
boodlers he called upon them and at
meeting with several of the chiefs of the
papers and other gentlemen the matter
was talked over sand arrangements were
made for receiving the money promised in
such way that witnesses could testify to
the visit of the man who paid the money.
Got IA Roll of $3.50.
"The $3.50 was paid to me in my office,
which money | Immediately showed to my
bookkeeper, explaining who had paid it
and why it was paid. This was on the
Wednesday after the passage over the
mayors veto of the Economic gas ordi-
nance, and this money ut once, within FIVE
minutes after receiving it, took over to
the Daily News office, and in the presence
of witnesses deposited it in a safe in a
sealed envelope, bearing the date and state
ment as to what it referred to.
about two weeks after the ordinance of
the Northern Pacific passed the council
the second time certain alderman
from the south side ward informed me
about noon, July IS, the day after the
ordinance was passed, that Billy O'Brien
had the money, and that he was to meet
O'Brien at the Sherman house at Q
o'clock" He communicated this to the
newspapers, and as he understood they
had the hotel watched to see that the
meeting took place.
"Roth" Written on the Envelope.
"Very soon after 2 o'clock Billy O'Brien
met me in the city clerks Office and con-
Quoted me into the Mushroom, where he
handed me an envelope with the word Roth
written on the outside of it. The envelope
was sealed. Ithen went over to Mr.. Bak-
er's office, in the Commercial Bank build
ing, the attorney for The Tribune" At
this office he met representatives of several
newspapers, and the envelope was opened
in their presence and found to contain two
$500 bills. The bills were then marked,
and sealed up again while the gentlemen
present wrote their names on the envelope,
and took such memoranda as they saw fit
The package was then locked up in The
News safe.
The Alderman Explains His Action.
After this detectives were employed by
the newspapers and other evidence dis
covered. Mr.. Roth proceeds: with this
had very little to do. l desire to be I'M
derstood distinctly, and l have plenty of
proof to warrant my statement, took no
money at any time for any purpose other
than that of bringing to light the corrupt
methods employed in the city council.
This action felt that owed to my con-
stituents in my ward, and to the
people of the entire city, / have
profited in no way by the stand which /
have taken other than in the feeling of
satisfaction that / have performed my
duty. If good shall come of this investi-
cation through improved methods in the
city council l shall feel amply rewarded
for the trouble have taken, the enmities
have formed and the very unjust accus-
atoms which have been made thought
lessly against me. Everything that have
said here am prepared to prove by unim-
peachable testimony"