Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-21
CHICAGO'S PURGING PROCESS.
Political Corruption to be Eradicated
Though the Heavens FAN.

CHICAGO, Dec. 20.-The Federal authorities
arrested William Gallagher here early this
morning on a charge of illegal voting at an
election in 1888. Gallagher was arrested only
few days ago for being concerned IN the
Eighteenth ward election frauds, but was re-
leased on bail. His second arrest was caused
by fear that he intended to leave the city,
1t is charged that he voted here when he had
only left his home in Philadelphia few months
previously, and had not acquired residence
here.
Gallagher appeared before a Justice of the
Peace and furnished bail in $4,000, and the
hearing of his case was set down for 3 o'clock
this afternoon. At II O'Clock Gallagher ap-
peared before the United states Commissioner
to answer to a charge of being concerned in
the recent Eighteenth ward election frauds
This hearing, however, was postponed
oerk 9RI Reo the e. once a5'nGf Of the e"e99 coant2
Clerk, also one of the indicted in connection
with the Eighteenth ward fraud, appeared
before Judge Blodgett this morning and en-
tered formal plea OF not guilty. Consider
able interest was attached to the appearance
of Gleason, as it was rumOred that he con-
templated turning States evidence.
AN INTERESTING REPORT.
At a meeting of the citizens committee of
eighty, appointed to take measures for the
detection and punishment OF the perpe-
traitors of the election fraud in the
Eighteenth ward, held this evening,
A, NJ. Day, of the sub committee, submit
a
''We have to say upon the subject of the in
vestigatiOn of the election frauds that from
the day of our appointment our time has been
almost entirely devoted to the business in
hand, and we have made what we consider 10
be very substantial progress. In the very ma
ture of the case we cannot disclose to you
much of the evidence we have in hand, but l
think may say with perfect confidence that
those engaged in the prosecution of this work
are in possession of abundance of proof to Sc
cure the conviction and punishment of at
least a large majority of the guilty ones, 1t
was a necessary condition to the enterprise in
which we are engaged that much of the work
should be done secretly, to the end that the
rascals we are prosecuting might not have it
in their power to destroy or make valueless
the evidence we have. Your committee has,
therefore, thought it wise to move with great
caution, making certain each point as
reached. We have the sympathy or active
assistance in the work we are engaged IN of
every right thinking citizen of Chicago, and
the contributions to the funds of this COM
mittee have been muniticient in the
have all the money that we shall
require, but it wilt be well to remember that
the combinations we are fighting are strong
politically and financially. and very vigiaut.
The issue is very plainly made. The ring rep
resents corruption and villainy, so notorious
in Chicago politics, its ramiflcations reaching
into all the departments Of life, and you now
meet 1t wherever you go In this city.
WHAT IT MEANS.
SIT means ballot boxs- -tufffng and fraudulent
counts at elections. 1t means jury packing in
our courts. 1t means corruption in our
legislative bodies, common councils and
county boards. 1t means, in short, too ap-
parent dominance of the criminal classes in
the government and control of the city. The
work we have begun will determine for
years whether this corrupt class are to con-
tinue in the control of our affairs, or whether,
by breaking up the ring, the honest citizens
of Chicago shall again assert their rights. We
do not mean by this that your committee has
been clothed with any authority beyond the
pending election cases. but we do mean to say
that if the conviction of the rascals engaged in
election fraud is secured and they are prop
erly punished we shall have taken long step
in the direction of honest government, and
the effect of it will be felt for years to come,
even though the work is not continued"
The report closed by saying that the sub
committee desired substantial assistance. 1t
was decided to increase the fund for the pun
ishment of the alleged perpetrators to $4,000
il necessary.