The Saint Paul globe., 1897-05-20
GILMAN CASE BEGUN.
Evidence Indicates the State Has a
Weak Case.

From appearances, the case of the state
against John A. Gilman, whose trial on
charge of accepting brbe begun in
the district court yesterday, will result In a
f1asco. Considerable surprise was manifested
when Freeman P. Lane leaned back in his
chair and let Assistant County Attorney
Smith do all the work In the case without
objection, but when the evidence was given
by the chief witness, it slowly dawned upon
the audience that something was wrong.
The jury selected in short order, six
members beins talesmen, and then it appeared
that the grand jury has not taken the trou-
Bile to ascertain whether or not portion
of the contract for the work on the pavilion
at the soldiers home was that the contractor
should pay per cent to Mr.. Sanborn, who
drew up the specifications, but that is ap-
parently the situation, judging by the evil
dence.
John P. Engestrom was the first witness
called behalf of the state. He swore that
he was in the sash and door business at
Franklin and Cedar avenues. with the Phoe-
nix Sash and Door company, as president.
Il knew Mr.. Gilman" he said, "and have
known him many years. Last summer there
work to be done on the soldiers
last June at the city hall. When I saw him
about the bid l took our bid with me to the
city hall. got the plan and figured 1t up to
put in the bid. When 1 spoke to him about
said had not, and he said 1 had better look
up the details and bid over. l did so, and
went down a few days later. I went then to
put in my bid, and he asked me if l had
figured on the 5 per cent commission. My bid
was $780, l said If those other fellows pay
per cent commission we could afford to. I
asked him if we could get the job, and he
said he couldn't tell until he had submitted
the matter to the others. 1 asked him If he
couldn't tell anything before that time. I
told him how much our bid was when I
left it with him. 1 heard the next Tuesday
from him at the city hall, when he said it
o1l riybf fhof have hhn
tract, and we went on and did the work. I
never talked with any other member of the
board about it.
81 didn't talk with him again until July,
a month later, about July 27. That was in
the afternoon the telephone Mr.. Nor
deem was there at the time; he answered the
telephone and called me. There was some talk
about the commission; he asked if l got the
estimate, which for about $3.50. said
we had.
II tod him supposed the commission had
tc be paid then; he said yes, it would be.
1 said 1 will send a boy with it, but he
said l had much better come myself. had
a check made out, had a boy go over and
cash it.
The check was produced and offered in
evidence.
"I took the money down to the city hall, y
said the witness, "and gave it to Gilman. He
says: I don't get a cent out Of this; this all
goes to another fellow for commission that
took the plans down. 1 never had any talk
! with him but that:
The witness stated that Gilman had said
over the telephone that he didn't want any
thing to do with Nordeen about the thing and
that he must not say anything to Nordeen
about It.
Mr.. Lane took the witness for cross -examin-
| alton, and discovered that the witness had
| based his first bid on wrong figures.
Didn't Mr.. Gilman tell you to figure the
! 5 per cent commission for the making of the
| specifications to be paid to Mr.. Sanborn?'
| We'll, he mentioned somebody"
HE told you it was to go to some men he
| named?'
YES"
Didn't he tel you that he had notified ali
| the bidders that Mr.. Sanborn was to get the
| per cent?
81 think he did,
"For making certain fgures?"
II guess he did,"
us this the same Nordeen you speak Oh
who was candidate for building inspector?''
This was ruled out.
The bond and oath Of Office of the defendant
was produced, and then the state asked fol
time to get it's witnesses.
1--WE will give the county attorneys Office
all the time it wants, if it thinks it can FIND
witnesses to convict Gilman said Mr.. Lane
eve are not seeking for Witnesses said
Mr.. Smith, 1--WE simply do our duty In tht
| case"
Court then adjourned until 10 o'clock this
morning.