The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-06-21
LETTERS FROM MR.. BOOB
TWO COHMUNTC4TTONs READ BE-
FORE THE COMMITTEE.
A Further Investigation as to the Award
OF the City Hall Contracts-Belyin
and Starke Disagree.

absent. \ letter was read from Mr..
Allen, written az a summer resort in New
Jersey. asking 10 be excused. A large
crowd was gathering in the Council
Chamber, and Mr.. White moved that, in
consideration Of the fact that the Coun-
ell Chamber had been condemned several
years, and there was likely TO be a
still larger crowd, that the investigation
be adjourned TO the hastings courtroom
This was done and the courtroom was
quickly filed with I'm interested crowd
Chairman Mann before continuing the
the investigation read letter from Mr.
II. NJ. BOoz. addressed 20 the committee,
/ explaining his reasons for not being
present at the investigation. He said
that he was out Of the city Phia-
delphia) when the letter from the score
| tary OF the committee was received and
that being registered letter. II was not
forwarded with his other mail. and ne
ala not receive it I'm time 10 come.
Mr. II. NJ Starke was then called 10 the
witness stand lie explained his absence
from the last meeting on account of
| pressing business connected with his re-
! cent assignment Here Mr.. Belvin asked
| 10 read statement which he had pre-
| pared before MIR. Starke testified. This was
! granted, and Air. Beiyin read a paper,
! which contained that portion of Mr..
/ atarke's testimony at a previous meeting.
I'm which he stated that be did not re-
! quest Mr. Belvin 10 go with the COM
mittee within the interest of the Fenton
Metallic Company. He stated that Mr..
Curtis came 10 see him and asked him
TO so and read the letter from Mr. Starke
10 him. submitted at the last meeting
requesting him % co.
Mr Starke then proceeded with his tes-
timony and said. Tile letter which Mr.
Belvin refers Oh there was written by
me- but 10 was with an understanding
between us. Air. Belyin came 90 my store
and said be wanted to- go ON with the
committee, and that llr. Booz had agreed
TO pay his expenses. quite a discussion
arose about this time as 90 how many
should go. / found that / could not go,
and / said l could not allow any one
20 so until ] saw Captain Curtis.
Mr. Belvin asked me 10 write the letter, |
so as 10 give him a standing with the |
party as Dee did not want % appear 10 I
Doe pushing himself on them.
Early in April ] wrote TO Booz. object /
ing 10 his writing letters to others I'm con- /
nection with tho contract. and giving him /
% understand that any negotiations or LETT /
ters written should come through our /
house, as we were expected 20 manage /
the business
/ wrote Booz last week 20 get his under
standing OF Mr.. Belvin's relation TO the
matter. Mr.. Starke then read portions
Of the following letter from Mr. Booz. I'm
substantiation of his statement. and the
balance Of their contents subsequently
read:
PHILADELPHIA. April Is. 1893.
Mr.. H. NJ Starke, Richmond, Va:
Dear Sir.-In reply to your favor Of
yesterday, would state that I note con-
tents OF same, and ] am more than "a lit
tie surprised that you should think that
the letter that 1 had written Mr.. Belyin
was unbecoming q gentleman. So far as
a deal between Mr.. Bclvin and
myself Is concerned does not
in any way connect y0u The
arrangement is entirely independent from
the one with you. / have only taken Sir.
Belvin I'm as a friend 20 help us along.
thinking he could cover certain parties,
and thereby aid us; and l I'm no way
wish 10 have you understand me that 1lr.
Belvin's connection with me or any cor
rtspondence, or anything that he has
recommended. has come through you. and
mat you are responsible To him for the /
same.
! am very well satisfied with what YOU
]
Ter l am finding no fault. ] have done
'Vefything that you have asked me 90 DO,
ana that is as far as ] can 20. The |
transaction between myself and AIR. Bel
YIN is Independent! from the one that you
are Interested in
Mr.. Eeiyiu has acted very mysteriouslv
md ] am almost ready 10 say 10 YOU that
Pc has been of 30 great benefit % as.
The money which we referred 90 / loaned
ID Nfr .frrfa D..
shall look 90 Nr. Belyin to settle the
% the due bin.
since ! received Belvin's letter and read
our letter / read over the copy Of the 8
eller that / wrote Belvin. thinking that Q
had probably written rather "a stronger
-tter than there was any necessity for !
hder the circumstances but cannot
ee wherein Belyin should take offence {
j hythins contained in my letter 90 him. y
no 90 not wish you 90 take up the mat {
ar Tor hln ana at some day. when cOu- e
eHleht, 1 VIII explain a few matters % q
on that will more than surprise YOU ia
'sords TO the action OF Mr. Bclvin IN d
onnectlon with the awarding OF the q
lrniture. %
You cautioned me more than once to e.
e careful. i acted according 20 your
lstructions. OF course. wherever any a
us were contracted / paid them. but Sd
D payments were made for cash unless n
could see whore it went n
/ several days ago wrote Mr.. II. NJ Do
NTH TO appear before the Council next al
onday and urge a reoperiue of the tr
after or awarding the metallic furniture. IT,
Do nave since come 90 a different con- pi
usion. and have written him not 20 ca
Ish the matter so FAR as we were con- 81
Ihed. or course IL the Council viii W.
zen the matter again we will be- with you nd
ri give you an the assistance that we NJ
'ssihly can give YOU. pm
In regard 10 the matter Of Epps and 50
addey, Mr.. Belvin is not the only he
joe That toll me- 0f the money arrange ar
emf between Epps and Waddey but of
D. tpps himself told me all about IT, uI
POI not only that he had received money | ho
DC also that Aouutcastle did This. OF m
lrse. does not at this time enter into De
e. question at all, and 10 is best not
mention b. but i only make mention SO
it because if I had believed everything re
a. Baivn told me. I should have been O.
-Iined 90 believe that there were very
a" honest men on the committee You se
ow how he acted. and what he said sid
d 70 De done. and il seems he was wl
staken about some Of the parties at th
ist' and / am very sorry to-day that SCI
ever took in Belvin with us. and / de
qua Just as lief tell him so as not. De
y ould say 20 you that the whole matter Co
SIS with YOU. Whatever you may do.
VIII do our part 20 assist you and aid
u all we can
remain, respectfully yours NJ
IL. NJ. BOOZ.
PHILADELPHIA June 10 lSq3