The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-06-21

Whatever Mr.. Belyin did In this matter
was done for me. and by an agreement
with him, which | have a copy Of and
this agreement having been entered into
about at least two weeks before his trip
North with the committee. / think this
will meet all the points that you want to
know directly at this time.
/ am just i'm receipt Of a letter from Mr..
Mann, the chairman Of the investigating
committee, this morning. asking my pres
ence before that committee on Tuesday
night. l have not at this time made up
my mind as 10 whether 1 will 30 TO
| Richmond or not. having been away
since my last letter TO you. Feeling anx-
ious, however. that / should make nv
statement, but whether 1 shall decide 10
come will depend upon certain matters
this afternoon. and II should decide TO
come. will wire you so that you can meet
me at the depot.
l am respectfully yours.
II. NJ BOOB.
continuing lis testimony Mr. Starke
! reiterated the statement that the letter
to Mr. Belvin from him was written at
Mr. Belvin's request, and that the guaran-
! Tee referred % was an understood thing
! between them. I'm proof OF which no re-
| port was ever made TO him Of expenses
/ or anything i'm connection with the triD.
The following is the contract between
! Mr.. Belvin and Mr.. Booz.
Philadelphia. Dec Il. 1892.
Preston Belvin. Richmond. Va:
Dear Sir,-Agreeable to our mutual un-
dcrstanding we hereby oblieate ourselves
70 pay YOU $1,000 and per cent. addi-
uonal commission for any goods that we
VIII sell through RI. NJ Starke and with
your assistance TO the city of Richmond.
for the fitting up Of the City Hall build
ing. conditioned as follows:
That for an additional amount upon |
basis Of $1,000. that we pay you s per /
cent additional over and above the said |
amount Of $1,000; this money 90 be- paid /
10 you ont Of the first money that we
shall receive for any goods furnished by
MS through II. VI. Starke 20 the city Of
Richmond
You hereby ohllgating Yourself 10 do
everything you can that lays within your
power 20 assist Mr. Starke and our
selves I'm making this sale.
You also agreeing that you will have
no interest I'm any other like or similar
furniture - be- purchased by the afore-
said city Of Richmond officials.
Very respectfully submitted
FENTON METALLIC MEG CO.
IT. N. Booz, Manager Philadelphia Of
fee.
Mr. Bevin took the stand. and. re-
ferring 10 his former testimony. said that
be did not then 20 into the details Of
matters between himself and BOoz. be
cause he wanted Booz present. and for
the same reason he did not desire 10
DO SD now.
Said he. I am tired Of being made a
cats paw Of before this committee.
Every statement 1 have made IS abso-
lutely true. / never went 10 Starke's
store. and did not ask him to write that
letter. II is true that Booz paid my ex-
penses bat it was thoroughly understood |
between Starke and BoOz with me at the
depot before I left
Mr.. Belvain then read n letter he had
written Bo0z. showing the conditions un- ,
der which the one hundred dollars. which
has been the main cause Of this invesu-
cation. was borrowed.
Mr.. Carter asked Mr. Belvin n he de-
MED O. statement made by Booz that he
Belvim had said that some Of the COM
mittee could Doe bought
Air. Beivin: / say this. T 10 not believe
any member OF the committee can Boz
bought nor was any money furnished me
directly or Indirectly with which % I'm
nLence the committee.
Nr. GuigOn read extracts from Mr.
Belvin's original testimony, which was
at variance with his later statements.
and asked how he could explain the
discrepancy Tie said he had not ok
Dected TO go into details. and that he 81
was in n very nervous condition the first Il
night. but that after having time 20 think z
the matter over he was glad 90 Doe able
o correct hts former errors. Maintain
ng his position that be did not desire 10
goo into details. I'm which Mr. B0oZ was
concerned. without his presence. Alr. a.
3ely'n's evidence was closed. ID
ar. Guigon then asked Mr. Epps who X
gave him the hat he received while on the K
rip? Air. Booz. DID the other gentlemen Al
,et them from Alr B00z of from "a Mr. l.
edwards? ! do not know about that Did n
'ou hear Of any plan between these gem
lemon on their return 90 the hotel in
which they agreed If asked about the hats
% say that they received them from
ertain party. 7 decline 20 answer that 81
question. said Alr Epps. r
Alr. Guig1n said be did not believe Mr.. Don
'ooz had any idea Of appearing before pa
be- committee. and as there We're no So
Their witnesses, he moved 90 30 into
Xecutiye session. w
Mr. Epps asked permission to speak,
MI said no one was so sorry as him
f that BOoZ did not appear The whole o..
JASON Of this trouble is that / would lJ
90 DO what they wanted me TO do. ! IL
ave done nothing dishonesty. / thought 50
the time that we awarded the con- IN
act to the right man. and now ] know Al
Now the whole of il is that certain a
lrties tried 20 get a contract on politi- m
d pull. and aid not succeed. AS % The
atement that / said one lot OF goods
as better than the other. an the Wit VI
'sses have gone back on them except w
r. Belyin. and De- had 20 refresh his l''
emory NOW Mr. Holvin and Mr. AT
arke have each contradictcd the other
.re in the presence or the commfttee IN,
ld You know how TO weigh that sort an
evidence. I dd wrong in the first ou
ace. but 7 did nothing with any dis
NEST intention. and I believe every q
amber of This committee voted 10 the Inn
$50 interests of the city. da
Mir. Epns was very sarcastic. and mixed ~
me native wit with his shafts OF irony an
quirlng the energetic efforts OF the of
'air 10 preserve order.
The committee then went into executive O.
ssi0n. on motion OF Mr. Guigon. 10 con- b.
Ter i'm an informal manner the report. cb
lich will be- presented 10 the Council al | III
e next meeting. The committee was in ALL
ssion for over two hours. but "a was
cided not % diyulge the result Of the
liberation before the meeting OF the ,
uncil. 4-