The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-09-29
OFFERED A BRIBE
JOHN DE LAITTRE MAKES A DAM
AGING CHARGE AGAINST AN
ALDERMAN.
KETTLE RIVER SANDSTONE
FOR USE IN THE STATE CAPITOL
INVOLVED IN THE DIRTY
MESS.
TITLE HOPE FOR DOLLY OWENS.
Her Spine Is Affected and Paral-
ysis Sets mold Soldier Halves
and Oil.

The grand jury has some surprises
for the public again. That is why it's
members were not discharged last even
ing when they reported some 1nd1ct-
ments to Judge Elliott.
The fact is, the grand jury is obliged
to be present in it's room again for
the purpose of signing another indict-
ment of some moment. This indictment
will place another alderman before the
bar of Justice, on the charge Of bribery,
with John De Laittre as the complain
ing witness. Mr. De Laittre was before
the jury in the afternoon, and told how
a very prominent alderman had made
an appointment with him, and had then
offered him bride, if he would agree
to vote for Kettle river sandstone for
use in the state capitol. This was the
whole story The commissioner had
refused, and the alderman had departed
from the commissioners home, but not
until he had given the impression that
he had already bribed three of the
commission.
Those who claim to know say that no
suspicion will attach to any of the OIL
Gals of the company handling the stone
in question. 1t is claimed that the deal
was being worked by man who was
not over scrupulous in his methods,
who has a close acquaintance with the
aldermen because Of uses he has put
them to- and who has considerable
stock in the company. 1t is possible
that if the case comes to trial, it may
octl hi
tent
There are some other indictments
which will be made public, probably
today. They are bulky, and give the
clerk of courts considerable work in
the copying. They are said to con-
tain some very interesting matter.
SAYS 1T WAS ALEXANDER.
John De Laittre, when approached
last evening with regard to the bribery
scandal, with which his name is now
coupled stated that the alderman
who offered the bride was Roman AL
eXander.
At first Mr. De Laittre did not seem
disposed to talk much about the case,
feeling that it was in the hands of the
proper officials, who would bring it to
the proper tribunal 81 have stated
the facts" he said, land the people
may draw their own differences.
cannot offer my services in that direc-
ton at the present time"
Have you been before the grand jury?,,'
YES l was before the grand jury this
afternoon replied Mr.. De Laittre.
You have noticed the differences that have
been drawn by the evening papers as to who
the guilty party it, have you not?"
Yes; and there is no use in d1sguls1ng
the fact any further. Aid. Alexander was the
man who offered the bribe'
did he offer an explanation of his extra
ordinary proposition at the time he made it?''
None whatever" replied Mr.. De Laittre.
He simply made the proposition in the man
ner that has already been related. was
gave him dressing down that must have
been something of surprise, to say the
least. At the same time l was greatly hu-
inflated to think that after 30 years in Min
neapolis during which time l have helped
spend a good deal of public money and al
ways tried to do the right thing, should be
met with such a proposition as that. 1t was
exasperating to the last degree. I said to
him that l had believed him an honest man
(and I had gone on his bond several tines,
but that his. proposition compelled mi, me TO
previous elections because l believed that he
was thoroughly honest, and it was great
disappointment to find him the man his prop
osition declared him to be-
did he make any attempt to defend h1m-
self"
mo; he was rather surprised at the re-
emily, though he afterward admitted that he
had come for another party, whom he had
told the attempt would be futile and fools
errand. He said that l must not think too
seriously of the matter, and requested that
1 overlook it as of slight Importance. and
say nothing about it, and emphasized the
fact that he making the proposition for
other parties or another party, whom ne would
have to see at the Commercial club that same
evening. The next day met him on the
street and he said that he had not gone to
he Commercial
home to sleep over it, and two or three days
later l saw him again and he said that he
had not seen the other party at all, state
ments of which I am in doubt what to think;
Il made up my mind very promptly what
I would do as to the capitol commission If
the Kettle river bid was accepted; would
have offered my resignation on the ground
that l did not care to aid in the fulfillment
of a contract secured by bribery
What do you think of the proposition that
this offer was made merely to cast opprobri,ulm
upon the Minnesota sandstone advocates?''
81 am not drawing differences in this case
at ALL replied Mr.. De Laittre promptly
'Were there any witnesses present who
could be of service to the state in case the
matter comes to trial?'
early part of the evening in question, though
he left before the bride was offered, of
course"
good case if the matter should come to trial,
as it probably wil?"
Gas to that l cannot say. I am not enough
of lawyer. 1t was not my intention 10 say
anything about the matter. but spoke OF it to
two or three friends and through them it
Mr.. Alexander was not disposed to talk
much when approached with regard to the
matter and in answer to a question regarding
the inferences as to his connection with the
case said that he did not know how his
name could have been coupled with the mat
ter at all, except through the fact that he
resided near Mr. De Laittre. 81 know abso-
lutely nothing about the case except what has
appeared in the papers he stated aaT ana am
Ibid you know that the grand jury had had
a. meeting this afternoon at which Mr.. De
mo I didn't know It," he replied, and his
face grew thoughtful for moment.
-FOUR ATTEMPTS AT SUICIDE.
All of Them Unsuccessful, by a
Glencoe Man.