The morning call., 1893-04-06

suspected OF Delng somehow or announcer
connected with the famous School Board
bribery scandal, which was known TO be
under investigation.
BILLY" Stark. the baiIiff, who is vet
eran guard in front of Grand Jury rooms,
said there had not been so much excite
ment around the place since The days when
the memorable Wallace elisor jury used to
hold its sensational sessions.
1t was known that the name of the man
whose name was mentioned by School Di-
rector Clinton as the party" who at
tempted to bribe him was that of Johannes
w. Bird, who is hardware and general
merchandise dealer at 1898 Mission street
Bird has made a statement in which he
acknowledges having told DR.. Clinton that
he knew lady who would make a first
class school,eacher, but that DR.. Clinton
had replied to him that he was sorry the
matter had not been mentioned sooner, be-
cause his list of appOintees was already
full.
In his statement Bird also SAYS that dur
ing the conversation he had with Dr. Clinton
he had made use of the following: II have
heard that the price OF Crimmins and Kelly
men was $500 for the position of a school
teacher. meaning this Of course as a sarcasm
at the outgoing board, of whom l had heard
so much. But you know, doctor. have no
money 10 give, but as this seems to have
been a necessity, perhaps some one else has.
But remember. have none to give"
Birds name was in the possession of the
Grand Jury when that body held its meet
ing yesterday. but that gentleman's pres
ence as a witness was missed by those who
expected to find him in attendance.
When Director Carew found himself once
more outside of the jury-room, after giving
his all-important testimony. he drew a deep
breath of relief and then FASTENED to get
considerable distance away from the new
City Hall, retiring as he did at once to his
Van Ness-ayenue undertaking establish
ment without diVuging to those in the
waiting-room or corridor what he had told
the grand jurors.
Shortly afterward Burns himself, es-
eorted by the District Attorney, put In an
appearance in the Grand Jury room to
verify Carew's statement.
What he told the jurymen is known only
to them, the District Attorney and him.
self, but there is no doubt but that lie ad-
mltted having spoken to Carew in the man
ner the latter had testified. without, how
ever, intending to offer a bribe.
Burns put the whole matter down as
being Insignificant and could not see why
the fact that he knew Of schoolteacher who
was willing to become principal and ready
TO pay for the promotion if necessary
should become the occasion for SO much
fuss.
The mentioning of this little matter to
bis friend Carew did not constitute TN of
Tense in the eyes of Mr.. Burns, although
Carew was a School Director-elect at the
time when the conversation took place.
Burns Is an old and very well-known
politician and man who Is supposed to
have a powerful pull" For twenty-five
years he has enjoyed the sinecure of veter-
mary surgeon for The Fire Department,
whose many horses run up an annual
Doctors bill OF no small amount
Whether the political influence Of the man
was the reason why the Grand Jury took
extraordinary precaution to keep his name
secret, even after he had testified, or
whether the nineteen jurors had some other
reason Tor 1t can only be surmised, but that
they positively refused to grant the request
oil District Attorney Barnes, who asked
their permission to reveal the name of the
witness to the press representatives, is quite
certain.
Burns himself used every precaution DOS
sible TO remain unknown. and repealed all
advances made to him by reporters who
were anxious TO learn his Identity.
When he left the jury-room he was evil
IDENTIFY laboriDg under great mental ex-
element, and as lie wandered out into the
street he seemed 10 be unmindiul of the
heavy rainstorm which was then raging
for he stood on the corner of McAlIister
and Larkin streets, fully unprotected for
quite while, unconscious Of the fact that
be was being drenched to the skin.
Even when he finally made up his mind to
go home and boarded streetcar. he did not
seek any shelter but rode on the open
dummy in the pclting rain. looking like a
perfectly dazed individual.
School Director Carew. when told that
the name Of his informant was known. ad-
mitted that Burns was the man.
He stopped in front of my shop shortly
after Christmas. before l took my seat in
the board. and congratulated NE on my
election. telling me at the same time that
be had done all he could to help me during