The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1900-12-01
ATTEMPTED BRIBERY.
An Indiana Architect Offers Gov
Longino a Bride.


Special to the Commercial Appeal.
JACKSON, Miss, Nov. Pa breezy
sensation occurred at the Statehonse
today by the disclosure of an open at
tempt to bride Gov. Longino, made by
a contractor from Indiana, who is here
to enter a bid for the erection of Missis.
sippi's new nillion-dollar capitol.
The contractor, who gave his name
as j. Z. Gibson of L~ogansport, Ind.
was subsequently placed under arrest
upon the affidavit of the governor,
charging attempt at bribery, was ar
raigned before Magistrate Fitzgerald
and given his liberty under a $4,000
boud.
The incident occurred in the execu-
tive Office this morning about IL o'clock,
at the conclusion of a conversation be-
tween Gibson and the governor, which
lasted several minutes. There we're no
witnesses to the actual conversation
but scraps of what was said were over
heard by Private Secretary Conan and
Gen. S. ID. Lee, who were in the ante
room.
At the preliminary hearing Gov. Lon
gino made a statement to the effect
that a few days ago Gibson and another
man, presumably a contractor, came
into his Office and were introduced by
Louis F~itzhugh, secretary Of the capi-
tol committee. A conversation ensued,
in which Gibson stated that a deal had
been formed in Chicago to capture the
Mississippi statehouse contract, and
that Mr.. Link, the architect, was in the
combination.
Gov. LONGING said that he had no
knowledge of such a scheme, and asked
for the facts. Gibson replied that he
would rather lose the contract Than to
give it away, but that he was here to
fight the scheme, and with the COVER
nor's cooperation it could be defeated,
saying that large jobs like a statehouse
were never honestly let.
Gibson then left, and the governor
moi being in town in the meantime, the
next audience was had this morning,
Gibson opened the conversation by ask
ing the governor if he was not con
vinced that a combine had been formed
to capture the new capitol contract,
and being told That he was not, Gibson
said that a builder from st. Louis was
here, and that an arrangement had
been effected in hat city for the pur-
pose, and that the Chicago man was
slated for the contract for the stone
work only.
The governor again insisted that the
details be given, and Gibson said that
Hill & OMeara would get the contract,
and Man Jennings, a representative of
the firm had SO informed him.
h conversation then proceeded to
some length, and Gibson finally said he
could defeat all the deals if the gov
ernor would go with him, proposing
that all the bids be opened Sunday,
December 9th, the day before the CAPT
tol commission meets. get all the figures
and submit them to him, and then he
would draw a bid to beat them all.
Gibson said that for doing this he
could get all the reward he would want
ed, limited at waysin which the prices of
material could be changed, and said he
would present him with a handsome
check in addition.
Gibson added that he came here with
plenty of money, and being led on by
questions he said he would give the
governor money to assist him. When
this statement was made the governor
called Mr.. Conan, his private secretary,
and asked him to telephone for a police
man.
Mr.. Conan in his examination said
he was cited to hear the statements
made by Gibson, which were repeated
to him by the governor, and when Glib
son heard the reference to the police
man he hurriedly left the office.
Gen. Lee, being sworn, stated that
he heard the governor say excitedly;
You have struck the wrong man, /
cannot be bought"
Gibson was arrested a few minutes
later and lodged in Jail. When brought
into court at 2 o'clock this afternoon
Gibson plead not guilty, and his attor-
ney, c. IL. Alexander, asked that the
trial be waived and the bond fixed.
The court, however, wished to ascer-
tain the degree of the offense in order
TO fix the bond, and ordered the exam
ination, the substance of which is as
above given.
Gibson soon arranged his bond with
a local bank, and left the city tonight.
The affair has created a great deal OF
comment here, and the denouement
seems to be highly satisfactory.
Bonds Are Illegal.
Judge w. r. Harper, city attorney Of
Iaclxson has rendered an onininn thai