The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-06-09
MORE INVESTIGATION.
MR.. BYIyTN's ABATEMENT is
rIATLY CONTRADICTED.
Some Interesting Statements are blade by
Mes,rs. starkc. waddey and Glenn
Mr.. Belvin Again Absent.

in connection with the awarding OF the
contracts for office furniture and gas FIX
lures in the new City Hall held another
lengthy session in the Council Chamber
last evening. There were present: Chair
ma, Mann and Messrs. Allen. Guigon'
Gum. Murphy. Vaughan and White. The
orlv absentee was Captain Reeve who
was detained at his house by sickness
sergeant-at-Arms Rallston stated that
he had summoned Messrs. Belvin. sey-
ronr and Cawthorn. but that he had not
be able 10 ind Mr.. Belvin at has resi-
dence. c, A..
first witness called was Mt Cawthorh'
who testified that he had heard Mr.. hpps
express himself as 20 the merits OF the
metallic goods. and from the remarks
heard witness had inferred that Mr.. Epps
thought the goods far superior, samples
OF which were on exhibition at Murphy $
Hotel an the time In Mr.. Boozs room.
When Mir Epps made those remarks
there were present Messrs. Belvin, Smith,
Booz. Starke and others. II on that occa-
sion anything was said about money.
witness certainly did not hear II.
However. several times after the award
ing Of the contract, he heard remarks
as 20 money that had been passed. but
he could not tell whom he heard II from
lie was informed by four or five. per
sons. among them Messrs. Seymour ana
Starke. that Mr. BelWn had loaned 800
20 MIR. Epps. Whenever he heard the
transaction mentioned. II was not done
exactly In the form Of loan. but 1t was
more spoken Of as a bride or very SINH
lar 70 that. lie could not exactly tell who
spoke Of the matter In that way. but he
gained q similar inference from all.
The meeting at Murphy's Hotel men
toned by him took place about a week
or ten days before the awarding Of the
contract. lie was unable 10 tell where
the money in question was handed TO
Mr. Epps by Mr.. Belvin. and could not
give any details in connection with It,
lie could only say that he had heard II
discussed on several occasions after the
contract had been awarded. but he never
heard any reason given why Mr.. Epps
did not vote for Mr.. Belvins man.
Mr.. Guigon then explained that he had
written a note to Mr.. Belvin early in
the morning, stating at the meeting he
would expect him 10 submit an itemized
statement OF the money expended and re-
ceived from Mr.. BoOz. and that he would
also ask for a production Of Mr.. Epps'
letter mentioned at a previous meeting.
To be certain that Mr.. Belvin would
get the letter. ne called him up by tele-
phone at the same time, I'm the presence
Of Mr.. J. w. White. and was Informed
that Mr.. Belvin thought the meeting Of
the committee would not be before Sat
Crday evening. The latter added that
10. .ff
and insisted on that statement even when
he was informed that in all probability
AT the meeting on that evening his testi-
mony would be contradcted point blank
Subsequently Mr.. Belvin forwarded TO
Chairman Mann the following letter.
which was read 10 the committee and
filed on motion Of Mr.. White:
Il am In receipt Of a letter rom Mr..
Guigon stating that your committee re-
quired information from me tonight. Be
fore receiving this note .old Mr. Gugon
that l had received a telegram Of impor-
tant business requiring me 10 be In New
York tomorrow Griday). I viii give any
evidence i may know IN reference 10
your investigation on my return home
regret very much that cannot be pres
ent tonight but my business is Of great
importance 10 me-"
Mr.. William Seymour, who had been
on the stand AZ a previous meeting. was
then recalled by Mr.. Guigon. He stated
that all he had heard of the loan Of
money was that Mr. Epps had borrowed
500. and that the money had afterwards
been paid cash
He had never given II a thought how
and why the loan had been made. and
he had never commented on the same.
When questioned by City Attorney
Meredith, witness stated that he was in
public place on Second and Broad
streets with Mr.. Stokes and Mr.. Cal. Ljps-
comb. when the former told him Of the
loan Of the money. but witness was I'M
able 10 tell how the subject came up
and what was said In connection with IL
He had never spoken with Mr. Belvin on
the subject. Witness was then asked
as TO the conversation between Mcssrs.
Belrin and Werner, but he said. while
ne vas IN the same room with them at
the time II was said TO have taken place.
he was not aware OF 10. and could throw
no light on the same. However. he
dwelt at some length on the details OF
that meeting as they appeared to MIN.
Captain William H. Curtis was also
recalled He stated that he was present
last Saturday during a conversation be-
the opinion expressed by MIR. Epps in
reference 10 the quality of the goods OF
the Fenton Metallic Company. He re
membered that Mr.. Belvin stated at that
time. IN Campbel's place on Broad
street that Mr.. Epps had said the Fenton
Metallic Company's goods were by ten
10 twenty per cent better than the others.
Mr. Epps had also announced his willing
ness on several occasions 10 vote in favor
OF the Fenton Metallic Company.
When asked by Mr.. Meredith. Captain
Curtis stated that he had heard
an account Of how that loan had been
brought about but could not remember
any details. However. he thought. MIR.
Lpps had a perfect right TO borrow 500.
Before going on the trip North Mr.. Epps
wanted to know Of him who would fur
nlsh the money 10 pay the travelling ex-
penses. and was told that each member
OF the committee was expected to adj
vance the money. 10 be refunded after
wards out OF the city Treasury.
Mr.. Starke was next called by Mr.. Gut
Ion. lie stated that he met Mr. Belvin
ON last Saturday when he told him, in
the presence OF Mr.. Curtis, that at the
last meeting Of the committee there had
been some trouble as 10 the memory Of
some of the witnesses. and he would Ike
&c know, therefore. what Mr. Belvin
could tell as 10 uhe remarks Mr.. Epps
had made Mr.. Belvln was not very
positive az first. but finally said that
Mr. Epps had declared tho Fenton goods
&c be superior by some ten or twenty per
cent. and was willing 10 repeat that
statement before the committee. He
added that Mr.. Epps declared on five or
more occasions that he would vote for
the Fenton goods. Witness then left
Mr. Belvin. who promised 10 make these
statements before the committee on Tues
dhy last. According TO the newspaper
accounts. however. he had not done so.
witness saw Mr.. Belvin again yesterday
morning al his store. when he expressed
his rlRreIa ihaf b.. nr..ila.l l.. .