The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-10-09
PARDON BROKING.


Working for Votes for Col. Gray on the Idea
that He Would Pardon a Murderer.
Richmond City Item, Sept. -.
1t will be remembered that during the brief
period Col. Gray served this State as the sue
cessor of James Williams in the eubernatorial
chair he pardnned a number of convicts, Among
others, a man named Bunce, who was in the
penitentiary for life for having killed his wife
by poison. Now, it should be also kept in mind
that our much respected friend, the chairman of
the Democratic county central committee, was a
most earnest, able and faithful attorney and
champion for Arthur Brooks, the murderer Of
DR.. Cause, who is row e~xpiating that crime in
the p~eniteutiaTy. Within tTo or three weeks,
ana We get our information direct, this chairman
and others have been engaged in a political still
hunt in Clay and Jefferson townships among
the friends and relatives of Arthur Brooks, rep
resenting to them the propriety of voting for
Colonel Gray, and promising them the pardon CT
the murderer Brooks if they would do so. 1t
has been urged that if he would pardon a crime
like that of Bunce there would be plain sailing
in Brooks's case. This is certainly true enough,
for if so loathsome a villain as that wife poisoner
is pardoned, the one who issued that pardon
would scarcely find a crime black enough to
refuse. That the promise has been made by
several to vote for Gray with this understanding
we have the very best authority, but there were
others who refused point-blank, and say that,
while they are anxious to secure Arthur's par
don, they will not doit at such a price. We leave
the people to make up their own minds as to the
honesty of such a proceeding, or whether they
wish a man for Governor whose pardOning of
murderers is considered so sure by his friends.
OF THE SCHEME.
Richmond City Item, Sept. 20.
The scheme was both laid and Matched in
this city about two months ago ana was W orked
so skiilfully that for several weeks it was not
discovered. Nearly everyone who was thought
anxious to have Brooks p%ardoned was labored
with prayerfully, and as many as twenty prom
ises were ELECTED. in the village of Washington
and its immediate vicinity, to vote for Gray,
with the understanding that the pardon would
he granted. With some of the more intelligent
another line of argument was adopted. 1t was
urged upon the latter that they had nothing to hope
from Calkins, as he was the partner of Harris,
the son of Branson L. Harris, who was supposed
to be a bitter enemy of Brooks. and that a
heavy influence would thus be brought upon
against Arthur. On the other hand, it was
argued that Gray was easily APP
proachable IN such matters. and
the case of Bunch, of Randolph
county, was pointed out as proof. In this case
the criminal poisoned his wife under the most
brutal circumstances, aud Gray, who was most
thoroughly acquainted with all the disgusting
details. having it is alleged been attorney for the
defendent throughout all the protracted and
sickening trial, marked his few weeks in the
gubernational chair by giving the miscreant n
full and free pardon
A few weeks ago as many as sixty Republican
votes were claimed in Clay township alone, while
secret work was done also in Perry, Green, JEFF
ferson, or, indeed. every place where there was
a prospect of getting at the Brooks interest. t
one time they claimed 100 votes in this city, the
case having been managed here by aman named