The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-02
CRIME AGAINST THE BALLOT.
Hints that Men of Influence Are I'm
plicated in the Chicago Theft.
What Was Revealed by Yesterdays Inquiry
Before the Grand Jury-Mr. Brands
Plan for Settling the Dispute.
THE ATTEMPTED THEFT.
Big Fish Implicated-Have There Been
Promises of Immunity?

INedutFS Ol JH0 llLltS Will r6IIeulDef bi'tb
when it was charged the ballot-box of the Second
precinct of the Eighteenth ward had been tam
pered WITH that in addition to the presence of the
men who actually handled the ballots and did
the work, there was in the party North-side
politician, who can be called silk stocking"
He had no personal interest in the fraud more
than to help along the chances of FRIEND who
was an enthusiastic candidate for United States
senatorship, and he allowed his zeal to get the
better of his discretion and thus he became
mixed up in the fraud. OF this fact the friends
of Leman claimed to have unimpeachable proof,
and this was the string they pulled. The word
was quietly passed along the line to some of the
more intimate friends of this aforesaid silk stock
ing that if he had any desire to escape an in
dictment, it would be we'll for him to begin at
once to set his house in order 1t had been re-
solved by the grand jury to indict the three
judges and the two clerks of the election, and
the evidence was rapidly crystalizing in a shape
sufficient to warrant the immediate indictment
of the two accomplished penmen who supervised
the job and wrote the signature of DR.. Strausser
on the tally sheet This was beginning to strike
pretty close to the "rookery" and also the North
town office, and, as the parties referred to are
prominent political FOUNDERS on the North Side,
their friends began to trembe for further de-
velopments which were not long in being
reached. Then was discovered the deus ex
machina-the silkstocking Democrat
Emissaries were commissioned to act the
diplomatic role, and ascertain if the prosecution
would let up with the understanding that Brand
should at once retire from the contest 'Long"
Jones, it is said, was sounded, but no crumbs of
comfort or assistance could be had in this direc-
ton. To say that the North Side was in panic
would be putting it mildly, and yesterday the
above mentioned conference was held and Mr..
Brand was induced to draw off. 1t is but simple
justice to that gentleman to say that he had moth
! ing to do with the fraud, was in no way party
| to it, and in fact was not sure one had been
committed until it was confessed to him yes
terday. He at once sent the dispatch above
given.
AS the case now stands, 'Long" Jones has
made no promises and would make none of ex-
emption from punishment, either for the men
whose indictments have already been decided
upon or those other gentlemen against whom he
claims to have proof He had a whip hand, and
he used it, and refused to agree to any condi-
tions. 1t is likely, however that a truce will
be made hereafter The wires have already
been used to obtain the aid of certain influential
friends of the silk stocking above mentioned
to intercede with General Logan to pull "Long"
Jones off in the matter, and stop all prosecution
of the aforesaid politician. 1t is likely that
dropping of the prosecutions against Shields and
the other election officers will be included in the
general act of amnesty, and the finding of a
Democratic vote so that Logan can be returned
to the United States Senate is improbable
part of the coming treaty.
Harry Rubens, counsel for Mr. Brand was in
his office sadly contemplating the effects of and
gazing at the copy of the dispatch sent to
Springfield by his client
''What led Mr.. Brand to take such a step2"
was asked of him.
He had a conference here this afternoon
with myself. Mayor Harrison, and some other
prominent Democratic lawyers. Mr.. Brand
acted on my advice when he sent the dispatch
Twill he make contestp
eyes, before the proper tribunal We do not
care which of the contestants the Governor
gives the certificate to- AS soon as the Governor
renders his decision, Mr.. Brand will make
proposition which we think will be satisfactory
to all parties and the public"
''What will that proposition BET"
81 decline to state at present"
''Has a compromise been effectedF
mot that know Of"
WHAT LONG JONES SAYS
Interview in Chicago Times.
'"There are rumors abroad that COMPROMISES
have been made and proceedings in various di-
rectons abandoned. Any truth in them2'
'Not to my knowledge. No propositions have
been made to me to compromise, nor have l ex-
tended any overtures in that direction, and l |
want to say right mere, speaking or course for |
myself, that this crime will be prosecuted to the
bitter end, let the lightning fall where it may.
We may not be able to get all, the high and the |
low who were concerned in this fraud but we |
will land some of them in the penitentiary be- |
fore we get through. There will be some sum-
moned to appear before the grand jury who will |
be astonished to find out that they are |
wanted, and there will be others indicted who |
are not expecting it. 1t has been smart trick !
up to this time, something to laugh at and
chuckle over, but you will notice that the other |
side has about got through laughing. We are
getting plenty of evidence, and the trail is get
ting hotter and the thing closer homo. 1t Is a |
good thing to punish the tools, but much bet |
ter thing to reach the benefciares of the crime |
Stop and ask who is to be benefited by this at
tempted fraud, ana draw your own conclusions.
Here is deliberate attempt to steal a United |
States senatorship. l do not charge that the |
man who would have probably been nominated |
had any personal knowledge Of it, but he could |
not have been SO blinded by partisanship as not
to understand it all, and it originated very close
home to him. You can say very close. AS we
progress the more uneasy they get. The United !
States law has very sharp teeth, and it takes
cognizance of conspracies as well as forgery"
when you speak of men close to the benef |
ciary, do you mean ~
'Well, you are good guesser, but shall not
tell you whether you hit the mark or not Wait
patiently, and it will all come out"
Suppose that there should be an abandon
ment of the proceedings on the part of the De-
mocracy, what thenW
sit is immaterial what the Democracy does
If they have put their foot into it, they will pull
it out the best they They will not get any
help from me-"
Suppose they should offer to compromised
at is a bad time to compromise now. Besides
that the man who would accept compromise
and do anything that would tend to cover up
the crime would deserve to be tarred and feath
eredT
Have any overtures been made to your look
ing to that end!'
'None whatever have been told that Car
ter Harrison and myself have met and talked
the matter over but there is not word of truth
in it Neither do believe that any one else of
our party has listened to any such propositions
The matter is beyond that 1t is the first time
thnI snch a thing has hannanad in thu North. |