The Portland daily press., 1885-02-23
CHICAGO'S SCANDAL.
An Unscrupulous and Grasping
Ring Broken Up.
Msckin. Gallagher and Gleason Found
Guilty.
Political Fraud Exposed Quite
Thoroughly.
CHICAGO'S SCANDAL.

CHICAGO, Ill, Feb. 21.-After two weeks of SUI
pense the respectful people of Chicago rejoice to-
night over the breaking up of ring, which at one
time, threatened to become as unscrupulous and
grasping as the Tweed combination in New York.
AS that great conspiracy was hunted down by the
Times, the lesser here in Chicago was run to
earth by newspaper influence. For years gang of
shrewd and interruptions politicians of the Tweed
stripe have dominated the elections here and
changed reliable Republican county into Demo-
cratic one by the use of gross criminal measures
Foremost of the rngsters has been Michael Gas
sius Mcdonald, the boss gambler OF the Missssippi
valley, who is now worth hundreds of thousands Of
dollars, and whose mere word is nearly as good az
most bankers. He placed himself at the head of
all the gamblers and roughs ia the city. When they
needed friend he was always ready to furnish bail
use his great influence to secure for them
Immunity from punishment. With the Thugs
at his back, Mcdonald soon became power In Dol
itics, and no Democrat could hope for even nom
inalion unless "Miae" had been consulted His
secretary and confidential was Que Mackin
who came here from Philadelphia with a reputation
a fine worker" and. after unromantic ca
reer as barkeeper, gambler and man-about-town
settled upon politics as profession. and has since
had no other visible means of support. Backed by
McDonald's influence, he became the permanent
secretary of all the Democratic committees. Ihen
epsued a campaign of fraud and buiidczing The
most unblushing "fne work" was entered upon In
election after election. The gang soon had things
all their own way 80 that they counted in Jnt ir
friends and counted out their enemies without fear
of the law. At The election last fall, Brand, a
wealthy Democratic brewer, and H. W. Le-
man, young Republican lawyer. were can
district, comprising part OF the north division OF
the city. 1t was not until several days after the
election that 1t became known that the State Leeis-
lature was tie. A change in a single district
would give the Democrats United States Senaio or
to succeed Gen. Logan. The gang Immediately set
to work TO help their good friend Carter H, Harri-
ron, ho owed his repeated elections as Mayor of
Chicago TO their unscrupulous efforts. When the
balo were counted election day in the I'd precinct
of 18th ward Leman kpnuhiiear hadA A ~
votes, while Brand. the Democrat received 274
When the board of canvassers met, which was some
days after IL became known that the Legislature
was tie the tally sheet showed 474 for Brand and
22U for Leman. In spite of the fact that erasures
could be plainly detected, the four and two having
been transposed, and in spite of other glaripg
frauds the board fell back to the old technicaity Il
their inability to ''go behind the returns"
and the conspirators were delighted
Although the honest people we're accustomed 10 he.
ing detfauded, this bold move aroused 10 uar in
eignation. Thousands of dollars were subscribed
ami put in the hands of the citizens committee
The case was taken before the United States grand
Jury. That body demanded the ballots The Uen
ocratic county clerk refused TO produce them, but
was forced to give into the power of the federal
court Then came the evidence of a further and
more astounding fraud. The ballots corresponded
with the poll list. 1t found that a LOT of
boz us ballots having the Republican head off but
Brands name for state senator, had been put in
the box during the time 1t was In the custody of the
too hurriedly. According to the numbers on the
ballots prominent Republicans like Elihu
Washburn, and even the friend and relations OF
Leman we're made to vote for the Dem ocratic
brewer. Ii was found that these very ballots hsd
been ordered from local printing house, and de-
lvered to the oily Mackin November 81, which was
at the very time the county clerk was hesitat-
lug about obesiog the order of the United
s ates grand jury. The writing on the forged poll
book was proved to be in tho handwriting of Que
Gallagher a cruny of Mcdonald and Mackln who
lett Philadelp phia some time ago tor welding too
ready pen. The election clerks and Judges were
indicted and now under bail. with the eX ;eption
of one clerk who Is rusticating in Canada. Mackia
Gallagher and Iso of the county clerks deputies
Gleason ard Biehl, have been on trial in the
trial has been one full of surprises. Mackin took
the stand aud swore that he never ordered or re
ceived the tickets. The printers sWore directly
opposite. Mackin produced several men who wore
that they stole the plate OF Republican ticket and
dup fcated it the night before election They were
next DAY acknowledged that they had iiei and that
they had been paid for SO doing by the Chester
feldian but unreliable Msckin. The sensation
caused in court and throughout the city by these
revelations was astounding. Democrats and
pubcans realiZs that the Mackin gang had the city
by the throat and must be punished. The gang
absolutely control ed the city council and the board
of county commissioners. They had located The
voting places in saloons and disreputabe houses
appoin ed roughs and thieves judges of election
and their finger Was seen in every questionable
scheme ru, he'd through the muDiclla al DO les
Therefore, there was universal cong at tulation
among honest people tonight hen the jury brouph bit
in verdict of guilty against Mackia, Gallagher aid
Gleason, Biehl being acquitted. McDonald the
millionaire gambler, promptly furnished $50, ,OUU
bonds for each OF bis pals pending au action for a
new JIia This is the first time any such conviction
has been obtained IN this city, and the people gen
orally feel that it viii relieve them from ring