Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1893-08-29
CROP OF SCANDALS.
Seems TO Be- One Product of
the Worlds Fair.
MEDALS FOR THOSE WHO CAN PAY

Jurors Are Apparently Cheaper Than They
Were Last Week-An Offer to "a Chicago
Man That Was ''Dead Low" but Which
Was Not Acceptet--AI egations Made in
Afhdavits-Mercer and Bccson Ask In
vestigation and Get One.
WORLDS FAIR GROUNDS, CHICAGO, Aug.
29.-ghe knowledge that another award
had been offered to an exhibitor at the
exposition for a stipulated sum was made
known in the national comm 'sSion by John
Boyd Thatcher, chairman of the executive
committee on awards. Thatcher appeared
in the commission and stated that he had
come over with the intention of requesting
an executive session of the commission,
but as he entered the hall he had changed
his mind and determined to let the public
help him in the matter he was about to
bring before the commission. He then
stated that he had heard rumors of irreg-
ularities in the work of judges in some de-
partments for some time, but they had
been so indefinite that he could not trace
them to any source. He had, however,
managed TO trace and report upon the
last case, which reached him o. Saturday
night. He-then sent package up to the
clerks desk for the inf rmation of the
commission.
Juror for Revenue Only.
1t contained first, letter from Thatcher
to the president OF the commission which
is as follows: IL hereby report that the
executive committee on awards has this
day discharged Mr.. II. f. Eigbee, a judge
In the department of manufactures, for
conduct unworthy an honorable man. The
accompanying afiidavits explain the
method of procedure adopted. by him
which is Of such nature a. TO Justify this
committee i'll the action it has taken The
committee respectfully requests advice
and instruction as to further dealing with
this case" The affidavit recites that
about Aug. II man called at the exhibit
of the Cary safe company limited, of Chi.
cago, and after stating that he was
judge--one of the jurors of awards-asked
Mr. Cary what the first prize would be
worth to his company
Had Cinch On the Award.
Being told that it would be worth a
good deal the visitor said, with caution
that what he said was to he regarded as
confidential: IF it is worth ANYTHING to
you to have the first prize, let me tell you
something. We have pick ed out three or
four biz firms here to which we are willing
to give the first prize in their classes. We
can fix it with the jury, or enough
OF them to make it all right, and
little money will handle them" Cary
concluded to see the thing through and
asked how much it would cost. He was
told that &. 100 would be enough. He told
vic Inn IL
tiate Oh that basis at .l, and was asked
how much the firm would give.
offered to DO 1t for 81 800.
Finally the juror offered to do the trick
for $1,000, and Cary said he wanted ten
days to think it over. Cary went out of
the city and after lie got back the juror
called again and was told that he could not
get cent. Higbee was not discouraged,
but said that he would do all he could for
the company, and supposed that if the
award WAS secured Carry would DO some
thing for him. to which remark no reply
was made. The other affidavit simply cor.
roborated Cary's statement. Consider
able discussion resulted. and it was stated |
that only one side had been heard and it
would be unfair to condemn a man with |
out hearing his defense
Another Phase of the Matter.
Commissioner Ryan, of North Dakota, |
stated that several exhibitors who were |
mot IN it' at this fair had determined to |
secure medal in some manner and they |
would prosecute judge in any way posi- I
BILE when they learned that they had not |
commended their exhibits. Mr.. Thacher |
was finally induced by the commissioners. |
aided by the venerable Isabella Beecher |
Hooker who sat near the New Yorker. to |
modify his report to the conmisSio,, a,d |
he did 50 by amending it to read: ':Sus-
pended from duty pending investigation. -
The matter was then referred to the com |
mittee on awards for investigation.
NOW COME MERCER AND BEESON.
Both Gentlemen Deny the Allegation and