The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-02-26
The State Printing Thieves.

The inquiry that has been for some time
proceeding at Springfield, into the frauds,
thefts, swindles, and other deyiltries OF the
gang of thieves known as the state printing
ring, has proceeded far enough to show
that the greatest rogues in Illinois are not
all to be found in the cells of the state es-
tablishment at Joliet. Among the frau
dulent practices that have been proven
against the printing thieves are fraud and
bribery in the getting of printing contracts,
fraud in the methods of doing the work,
fraud in making up the bills, fraud ana at
tempted land perhaps successfully bribery
in getting money on them from the trea-
sury. Altogether, the evidence makes out
an array of wicked and criminal practices
against the members of the printing ring
that ought to assure the conviction of every
rascal of them on an indictment for felony.
A more disgraceful lot of political prosti-
tutes, half dozen in one bed, the records
of public rascality and political prostitution
have seldom exhibited The exposure of
their villianies to the public reprobation is
timely, and ought to be made complete.
After which the grand jury should pay its
respects to them.-Chicago Times.
The ring consists of the proprietors of
the State Journal, the Republican paper,
and the State Register the Democratic
paper, who conspire together to buy of
other bidders, swindle the people and de-
vide the plumber.
One of the conspirators, named Paine,
was taken to the bar of the House, on
Tuesday, by thessergeant-at-arms, for re-
fusing to answer questions before the in
vestigating committee. and the question
was what to do with the contumacious wit
ness. The Times telegram says:
Orendorff moved that the two witnesses be furn.
ished with copy of all the papers, and that they
be released on their recognizance till Thursday
morning This proposition was not deemed advisa
BILE because of Its EXPENSE and the house refused
to entertain the motion, and Bradwell insisted that
the two men could now well as in the future, say
whether or not they would testify.
Reference was made by Durham to Charley
Reeds case, claiming that the supreme court had
directed Charley to answer to this Connolly made
reply that himself and OreDdorf had made examin.
alton Of the records in the supreme court rooms bu
they could find no such decision He questioned it:
existence.
Dunham-I am informed that Charles Reed had s
certified copy of that decision, but that it burn
| i'll the Chicago fire,
COnnolly-Then the original document must hav,
also been burnt up.
Subsequently Durham amazed Connolly by pro
ducing the original decision of the supreme court
| in the handwriting of ex-Chief Justice Lawrence
| and the document was read to the house by the
clerk, and aferward taken possession OF by Speaker
! Culom.
The reports in the Chicago papers, in
regard to this matter, are voluminous
We have only room for extracts. The
Tribune account says
| Connolly pleaded for mercy He believed thu
prisoner had As much right 10 consult counsel a,
| the murderer Rafferty,.
Durham moved that Paine be kept in custody O
| the Doorkeeper until IL O'Clock tomorrow theI
! 10 be brought before the bar of the House. unles
he agreed 10 answer the questions before that time
Ray wanted him sent to the County Jail for tn
| the same time.
| Durham believed the House had authorit
! over the Jail of Sangamon County or its sheriff.
| Rays resolution was lOst-yeas, At, nays, 50.
| Durham won--6S to %.