The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-08-14
The Baltimore Grand Jury Returns Bills
Against All Members of a Former
Fire Board of That City.
Nathan w. Fitzgerald Makes an AS
sault Upon General Boynton.
Senator Mcdonald Declines To Be Inter
Viewed-His Campaign LabOrs in
Ohio and Iowa
TURN THE RAsCALs OUT,
Distinguished Democrats Indicted for Nal
feasance in Office.

Distinguished Democrats Indicted for NAL
feasance in Office.
Special to the Indianapolis Journaa.
WASHINGTON, Aug. l3.-The grand Jury Of
Baltimore, this afternoon, indicted all of the
members of the now defnnct board of fire COM
missoners, including Mayor PInkney Whyte, for
malfeasance in Office The news created the
widest excitement in Maryland pO-
lticsl circles, and the prediction is
freely made that to-day's business means the
total disruption of the Democratic party in that
State. To thoroughly appreciate the real signi-
ticance of the action taken by the grand jury
against the men who, year ago, stood at the
head of the Democratic party in Maryland,
and many of whom to-day rank among the lead
ing citizens in a business and social sense, few
words OF explanation are necessary The story
is easily told.
When, less than two years ago, ex Governor
Whyte was elected to the mayoralty, he was
the unanimous choice of the REGULARS" and
"reformors" of ths Democratic party. He had
no opposition from the Republicans, and was
thus chosen by the unanimous vote of the
people, His triumph was, however, short lived.
He made blunder after blunder, and was repeat
edly eheckmated through the opposition of j.
Frank Morrison ana one of his trusted hench-
men, the defeats being considered crushing. To
get even the mayor set on foot an investigation
of the dOings of the board of which Morrison
was member. The charge was that Morrison,
while member, had been in q firm that had OBJ
tanned contracts for furnishing supplies to the
fire department, for which excessive rates were
charged the city. The inquiry was turned over
TO the grand jury. The evidence
clearly established that, in number
OF instances, excessive charges have been made
to the fire department for supplies. 1t then be-
gan to be whispered about that, as Mayor Whyte
was ex-offico president of the board
while these bills were audited, he
was equally culpable with the other members
of the board, and that if Morrison and REGISTER
were to be indicted, the mayor and other mem
bers OF the board were equally liable to indict-
ment. This idea was secuted by Whyte's friends,
and hence, when the news of the grand iury's
action was made public to-day it came like
crash OF thunder in a clear sky.
OF the persons indicted Mayor Whyte has filed
the position of Governor, senator and mayor;
Morrison is at present warden OF the Jail, and
president of the Brush Electric Light Company.
REGISTER, who is at present ia California with
the Knights Templars, is member
of the large iron foundry firm of Joshua Reyes
ter & Sons. General Campbell, at present at
Slinglutf is a leading merchant, and
Smith is a well-known politician, and
at present commissioner of streets.
The indicted parties have been given until Sat
urday to furnish bail in the sum OF $4,000
each.
This exposure of crookedness in the Democrat
ic management of the city of Baltimore,
coming, as it does, upon the heels
of Governor Hamilton's letter published this
morning, in which he charges the Democratic
party managers with having stolen $5O0,Ooo
of State funds, has thrown the Democrats into
a hopeless state of decentralization. The biters
have been badly bitten in this case.
To the Western Associated Press.
BALTIMORE, Aug. 13.-The grand jnry has pre-
sented all members OF the late commission of
The board consisted OF Mayor White exotilclo
president, and Samuel W. Register, Thomas w.
Campbell, j. Frank Morrison, Samuel Hanna.
Bartholomew E. Smith and Charles b. Slinguff.
Bail was fixed at So, 600 In each case. The pre-
sentiments caused great excitement and aston
ishment about the city hall and courthouse.
The late board was surprised recently by the
appointment of fire marshal, and the present
ments grew out of charges made by the present
fire marshal against several members of the
board, charging them with furnishing various
supplies to the department. and charging more
than market rates therefor, in violation OF a city
ordinance.