The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1885-11-14
THE GRAND INQUEST.

III appears the speCldl BTdllu jury, "Hi1i
was summoned last week met mainly Il
act on the case of Peter Weast, OF Streator
for shooting Thomas Parks, and of Steinke
accused of setting fire to the Exchange
Hotel in this city, his own property, to de
fraud the insurance companies, was also
induced to take up the matter OF the forged
circulars that were sent out so numerOusly
all over this judicial circuit before the
late election to defeat Judge Gilbert. Nc
doubt the authors and abettors Of these
screeds were guilty of an offence that is
| indictabe under the laws of this state, and
| if the work could be traced home to them,
they deserve to be made an example OF.
In order TO get at the bottom of the matter,
not only prominent politicians of Ottawa,
but from all parts Of the district, were sum-
moned before the jury, including j, w.
Baily, of the Bureau County Republican,
and J. w. Paddock, chairman of the Bu,
reau County Republican Central Commit
tee; also Hon, p. c. Hayes and f. b.
Fletcher, of the Grundy County Herald,
and Seneca Upper, chairman OF the Grun-
dy County Republican Central Committee !;
Judge Dibell, of Joliet, Mr.. Gilbert's OPP
ponent, and others; as also Henry Mayo,
T. c. Fullerton, d. A. Cook, j. f. Kendig,
and many others from Ottawa. AS all that
occurs before the grand inquest is kept
a profound secret, Of course nothing Is yet
known as to the nature Of the developments
but as the inquiry has resulted in the find
ing of indictments against three individ-
uals, of course the whole matter will be
made public at their trial.
In regard TO this investigation and its
object the Ottawa Republican, is pleased to
say:
We repeat what we ventured to guess
last week, that when the real authors are
discovered, and the whole truth known, 1t
will be found that the authors are merce.
nary and revengeful Democrats, and that
no reputable Republican had anything TO
do with the printing and the distribution
of the circulars, except that in Grundy
county there was reprint of one circulat-
ed in the belief that it was genuine.
And the Ottawa Times says:
We understand that not for moment
were Republicans suspected OF such dir
ty work, but that couple of Democrats are
the marked men. If this is so it is a little
curious that Republicans alone are being
investigated. If the Investigation is used
to cast reflections upon Dorrence Dibell we
cannot be counted In Mr.. Dibell, If such
is the intention, will come out with flying
colors. If the object of those who brought
the matter before the grand jury is other
than TO convict couple of forgers, we must
be counted out
All, so. If the Investigation is directed
only against a couple of Democrats it is all
right, but we can't see "why Republicans
alone are being investigated 1t is not
confined to Republicans alone, numerous
democrats being also hauled up before the
jury. But why should the investigation
not be mainly directed against Republi
cans? 1t is we'll known that these fraudu-
lent circulars were in the hands of promi-
nent republicans by the hundred all over
the district at least week before the cleo
ton. Their fraudulent character was so
transparent that no intelligent man could
be deceived by them. The mere writing
and printing Of the screeds would have
been small affair without liberal help
from some quarter to give them circula-
ton. We have no desire to screen demo
Gratis who engage in such business, but if
they found the woods tull of republican
runners to assist IN the propagation and cir
culation of the frauds, the latter are alike
guilty and should suffer with the authors
and inventors.