The Owosso times., 1899-12-15
Common Council Room,
ONnRRO. Dec. 12. 700.

week.
JOHN l.. ASH. Clerk
Common Council Room, 1
O1osso Dec. 12, 90.
Regular meeting OF the common council with
the president James w. Jordan, in the chair.
Aldermen present at roll call, Gould, Pier
pont, Mclean, Harmon. Curry, Jordan,
Palmer. Walsh and Washburn.
The minutes OF the last meeting were read
The following claims and accounts were pre-
sented and upon motion were referred to the
committee on CLAIMS and accounts:
Police fund.-. H. Ross s24 oo Geo A.
Grlffith $24.0o. l.. II. Alderton, S24 90.
$22 40 d. H. Blair. $1,000. II. M Bogart, SO 76
From Highway Fund Grove & Payne, $4.62
I. o. Chase, e.s64. James Odel, $500. ID. c.
Board of Health-J. d. Estes, $500
From Water Works Fund Neptune Meter
Co., $l04SO w. l.. Parker, $l2 90. Detwiler &
Son, SO.22. Sweet & Doyle, $9.6i. j. s. Hunt,
$500.
General Sewer-W u. Telegraph Co 0.6S.
Ball Street Several F.. Hollis, So 609.
The bill of j. M. Wood for $64l6 for sidewalk
at the Williams block was referred TO the com
mttee on streets and sidewalks.
The committee on claims and accounts re-
ported favorably on accounts as above pre-
sented.. Unanimous consent being given they
were allowed and the clerk was directed TO
draw orders therefor. Ayes, 3; nays o.
The committee on streets and SIDEWALKS re-
ported favorably on the petition for Sidewalk
on the north side OF Williams street from Pine
street west to Mulberry street and recommend
that the walk be built in the spring as soon as
the weather will permit. The report was
adopted.
Aid. Jordan, chairman OF the special commit
tee, made the following report ana moved 1t be
received and placed on file. Aid. P1erpont
wished TO know II statements made by Wit
nesses were made under oalh. Aid. Jordan
stated they were not.
To the Hon. A. M Hume. Mayor, and Common
Council Of the city of Owosso
Dear SirS: Your committee which was ap'
pointed to investigate the matter Of bribe be-
ing offered TO member of thus council begs
leave u report:
We have called upon all persons whom we
could learn had any knowledge of the affair
and have taken their testimony az given by
them TO the committee in narrative form
wbi b is as follows
The committee called upon Mr.. Remington,
proprietor OF the grocery store on the corner OF
Stewart anu Chapman streets, who states that
Mr.. Washburn came.into his store on November
Slh ana purchased cigar, and the following
conversation took place between he ana Mr.
Washburn. Mr.. Washburn says, II had pret.
ty goodGthing offered to me today. Mr.. Hadsall
has telephoned TO me several times 10 come TO
his office, and when was down town stepped
into his office and he Mr. Hadsall says, You are
just the man l want TO see. step into my private
ONCE want TO talk TO you. what is the mat
ter with thai roller that you don't SIS n the re
port?" Mr.. Washourn then says, Il do not
like the roller, IL is no good" Mr. Hadsall
then said, "You had better sign that report for
there is a suit of clothes in 1T for you" Mr..
ashburn then said, mo, don't care damn
II there is, will not sign the report, nor vote
for 1T, 1t is not wrat we want" Mr.. Hadsall
tnen says. You have not looked into that roller.
II you look into it you find a box inside OF the
roller containing q suit OF clothes ovorcoat'
snoes, and sed % T.; ,neI reisS Sns
II is not what we contracted for, and is not
what the city wants "
There was present at this conversation a
young man by The name of Frank Hawkins, who
clerks for Mr.. Remmington and is about the
age Of sixteen Year,, who states that the above
conversation took place between Mr.. Remming.
ton and Mr. Washburn as above stated by Mr..
Remington.
Mr.. Remington also states that Mr.. Wash
burn came into hia store on ovember 10Th, and
while Mr.. WaShburn was In the store, Mr.. Had
sail called Mr.. Remington up by telephone
ana asked him II Mr.. Washburn had been there
and told him that (Mr. HadsalD did not offer
him sult OF clothes to sign a favorable report
for the purchase OF the street roller. Mr.. Rem.
mington said that he had not Mr.. Hadsall
asked Mr.. Remmington TO nave Mr. Washourn
talked with Mr.. Hadsaii for a few moments he
turned to Mr. Remmington. He says you are
mistaken about me saying Mr.. Hadsall offered
me "a suit of clothes for TO sign the report or
vote for the purchase of the roller. Mr.. Rem
tainIy said Mr.. Hadsali." Mr.. Washburn tnen
said, mo, you misunderstt cd me, said Mr..
proposition to me-"
Mr.. Remmington also states that one day In
conversation with Mr.. Washburn, Mr.. Wash
burn stated, I'VE are going To have new car.
rage factory over here, and have been offered
a new buggy to vote for the proposition"
The committee called upon Mr.. w. IL. Synes,
whu states that he met Mr.. Washburn on the
corner OF Stewart and Chapman streets, one
day, and during the conversation Mr.. WashburD
stated that he mad chance TO get suit OF
clothes IL they purchas ed the new roller. That
Mr. uadGall off..rqd him n suit Of plofhaQ ~
he would sign the report.
The committee called upon Mr.. Hadsall, who
stated he had conversations with Mr.. Washburn
in regard TO The purchasing OF a stone crusher
and roller. Mr.. Hadsall says the only way that
was interested in the purchasing OF these
goods, was that Mr.. Mcdonald being personal
friend of mine stated TO me that he was work.
ing for the Austin & Western Company on u
commiss on, and II he could make the sale of
three jobs the com pany would put him on the
road on q salary. told him that II their goods
were a. good as any b0dy's, would be pleased
to help him la any way that could to make
the sale. But after talking the matter over
tee, In regard TO the roller. MIR. Wasburn stat
Ing the bad points about the roller. told him
that did not blame him Tor condemning the
roller, and advised him not to purchase it.
We find that Mr.. Hadsall, has In his posses
sion sworn afhdavit, made by Mr.. Washburn,
and sworn to before notary public, that Mr..
Hadsall never offered him suit OF clothes or
anything else, In trying TO induce him to vote
for the purchase Of q roller.
Your committee has not taken any statement
from Mr.. Washburn, in regard TO the matter, as
the mayors communication 10 the council asks
for Mr.. Washburn TO make a statement of all
the facts known to hum relative TO any attempt
at bribery by any agent or employee OF the
Austin. Western Company or any and every
offer either direct or indirect by any agent
company OF corporation tending to influence
his vote upon any cont act at any time during
the current year before this council
After a thorough investigation. your commit
tee is unable to find any proof Of any attempt Of
bribery being offered or received by Alderman
Washburn
JAMES w. JORDAN,
Committee J. Il. WALSH
tIRA G. CURRY.
Aid. Washburn offered the following state
ment:
To the Honorable Mayor and Common Coun-
Gil of the city of Owosso.
Gentlemen, To clear away the statements
that have been circulated throughout the city,