Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-06-21
NOW FOR THE REPORT
All the Evidence Being In the CON-
miitee Goes Into Conference.
THEIR STORIES DIFFER.
Mcssrs. starke aud Belvin Fiatiy Contra
dict Zach Other-Mr. Epps Makesa
statement-Spicy Letters.

The Council committee charged with
tho investigation of the recent award OF
City-Hall contracts commenced another
session in the Council chamber last night.
Although o'clock was the appointed hour
the committee did not get to work until
nearly half-past 8. All the members were
present except Messrs. Allen, Burke. and
Murphy. and as soon as the committee was
called 10 order, on motion OF MIR. White
IL adjourned to the Hustings-Court room,
as the chamber was not considered sate
for large crowd. Mr.. Murphy joined the
committee IN the courtroom.
The Clerk read letter from MIR. Booz
to Mr.. Mann, saying he did not receive the
latter's letter in time for him TO attend
this meeting. but if the investigation was
continued and he had reasonable notice
he would attend. The letter was received
and fled.
Mr.. sTARKE ON THE STAND.
Mr.. II. NJ. Starke appeared before, the
committee and said he could not attend the
last meeting owing to circumstances over
which be had no control. lie saw from
the papers that Mr.. Belvin fatty contra
oicted his statement regarding his (Bel-
81
Mr.. Belvin called for the reading of his
testimony on this point. and the papers
being given him he read 1t. lie said the
letter of Mr.. Starke to him spoke for
itself, and he also read that letter.
MIR. Starke, continuing, said the letter
presented before the c0mmittee-by Mr..
Belyin was written by him. MIR. Belyin
came to him and SAID he wanted to go
Moth with the committee and that Booz
wond pay his expenses. he lStarke)
could not 90. and he wrote the letter Mt
MIR. Belvin's request. Mr.. BelvIn saying
that he did not wish to appear IN the
position of forcing himself on the COM
mittee.
Mr.. Starke explained that he told MIR.
Bevin he had no authority to send any
one with the committee without the con-
sent of Mr.. Curtis. As he understood 1t
Mr.. Belvin had contract with the compa-
ny independent of his (Sterke's) contract.
lie wrote the letter, knowing this. Mr.
Belyin had never asked him TO certify to
any bill of expenses, aud he knew nothing
of his (BelvIn's) expenses on the trip. Mr..
Starke iterated 10 Mr.. Mann that he wrote
the letter to Mr. Belvin at Mr. Belyin's re-
quest.
LETTERS FROM Dooz.
Mr.. Starke read extracts from several
letters from Mr.. Booz to sustain his con-
tention that Mr.. Belyin had an independ-
ent contract with the Fenton company.
One of these letters was subsequently read
in full, and is as follows:
PHILADELPHIA, April 2S, 1893.
Ar. II. M Stdrke. Richmond, "a;
Dear Sir-In reply 10 your favor OF yesterday
would state that note contents Of same and
am more than n little SUI prised that You should
think that the letter that had written Mr. Bol-
win was lnbecoming gentleman. 40 Tar as
deal between Sir. Belyin and myself IL concern
ed IL does not In any way connect you; the ar-
rangement ia entirely Independent from the ono
with yon. have only taken Sir. Belyin In as a
friend to help us along, thinking that no could
cover certain parties and thereby aid US, and |
In no way wish - hayo you understand me that
Mr. Bcyins connection with me or any corre-
epondence or anything that he has recommend
cd has come through you. and that you are re-
spOnsihle 10 him Tor the same.
| am very well satisled with what you have
done for me In the Richmond mater. | am
finding no fault. ] have done everything that
you have asked mo 10 do ana that Is "a far as |
can go. Tue transaction between myself and
MIR. Helyin is independent from the one mat you
are Interested In.
ACTED gYsTERIOUSLy.
Mr.. Belyin has acted very mysteriously, and
am almost ready to say TO you that he has been
OF no great benefit to Us. The money which
we referred 20 | loaned 10 MIR. BelyIn aud hold
his due-bill, and snail look 70 Mr. Beivin to
lated IN the due-biil.
since received Belvin's letter and real your
letter read over the copy oi the letter that
wrote Belvin, thinking that had probably writ
ten rather n stronger letter than there was any
necessity for under the circumstances. but
cannot SEQ wherein Belyin should take offence
at anything contained in my letter TO HIN, and
do not wish you to take up the matter Tor MIN,
aud at some day when convenient VIII eKpllin
q few matters TO you that will more than sur
prise you In regard 10 the action OF Mr. Beiyin
IN connection with tho awarding oil the inrni-
turc.
You cautioned me more than once to be careful.
| acted according to your INSTRUCTIONS. vi
course, wherever any bills were contracted
paid them, but no payments were made Tor
cash unless could SEQ where II went but the
one. -,
/ several days ago wrote Mr. II. NJ. Smith TO
appear before tho Council next Monday ana
urge a reopening OF the matter oi awarding Tue
metallic furnlture, but have since come 10 Il ull-
fcrcnt conclusion and have written MIN hOt !.
push the matter so far as We were concerned
Of course, IL tho Council will open the matter
again we will be with you and give you all the
assistance that We possibly can give you.
EPPs AND wADDEY.
In regards 10 the natter O. Epps and Weddey
Mr.. Belvn Is not tho only one that told me Oi
the money arrangement between Epps ana
Waddey, but MIR. Epps himself told me all about
Is, and not only that he had received money, out
also that Mountcastle did This, OF course, does
not az this timo enter into the question a. All
ana II Is best not TO mention II, but only make
mention OF 1t because II | had believed every
thing that Belyin told me ] should have been
inclined 10 believe that there were very lew
honest men on the committee. You know no"
he acted and what he sad had 10 be done. and
/; seems he was mistaken about some OF the
parties at least, and am very sorry to-day that
we ever took in Belyin with us, end wouid JUST
as lief tell him 80 as not
Would say TO you that the whole matter rests
trifl
part 10 assls. you and aid you all we can.
remain, respectfully yours, II. NJ. booZ'
WOULD HARDLY COME HERE.
A second letter from Mr.. Booz read by
Mr.. Starke bears date Of June ~, and
says:
Your several favors OF June 10th have been
received and their contents ncted. can only
restate that the letter which you refcr 10 mas
never reached me. The newspapers. however,
have como In since, and, in fact, came IN tne
same day that wfote you last. and for that rea-
son you will see tnat am not 10 blame for any
thing that you had Intended to convey 10 me III
your letter in question. The letter never reached
me, and II /. has been mitsent Will very hkoly
como back to you.
In regard TO tho arrangement with Bclyln,
would say to you that his arrangement Tith me
has no connection with you Whatever ana you,
40 far as know Of, never had any arrangement
with him In any way, shape, or manner. What-
ever Mr.. Bolyin did Ia this mattor was done Tor
anu by an dgfteIF ellt Win WHICH uhFo
a cooy Of, and this agreement having been en-
tered into about at least two weeks before his
trip North with the committee. think this VIII
meet all the points that you want 10 KNOW
directly at this time.
am Just ia receipt OF letter from Mr.. Mann,
the chairman OF the investigating committee,
this morning asking my presence before that
committee on tuesday Light | have not at this
time made up my mind rs to whether viii go
t. Richmond or not, having been away since my
la,l letter 10 you, feeling anxious, hoveyer, that
| should MAKE my statement But wnether
shall decide 20 come will depend upon certain
matters this afternoon, and II ! should decide
20 come will wire you 20 that you can meet ine al
the edepot,
THE BELvIN CONTRACT. ----
A copy OF the contract which Mr.. Booz
referred 10 as having been made with Mr..
Belvin was handed the committee. IL Is
in the nature of letter to MIR. Belvin,
bears date OF December 18th. and reads:
agreeable TO our mutual understanding we
hereby obligate ourselves to pay you Sl,OOJ
and 5 per cent. additional commission Tor any
goods that we will sell through II. N. Sterke aud
with your assistance TO the city OF Richmond for
the itting up OF the City-iiall building, condi-
toned a. follows: That for an Additional amount
upon basis Of $4,000 that We pay you per
cent. additional over aud above tho said
amount OF $15,000-this money 10 be paid 70
you out OF the first money that We shall rsceive
for any goods furnished ny US through h. M.
starke to tho CITY OF Richmond. you hereby