The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-12-03
DEFENDING THE USURPERS.
Coroner-Elect Wagner Gives the Commission
ers More Trouble in Pressing His Claims.

The Democratic County Commissioners were
again disturbed, yesterday, by the recurrence of
Dr. Wagners legitimate claim to the coroner's
Office Like all other warm partisans. they have
pretended that the tally-sheet forgeres would
not serve in substantiating the contests of Grim
inal Judge elect William F. Irwin and Coroner
elect Wagner, but the result of the United States
grand jurys comparison of the palpable crime
with the duplicate sheets took from them that
poor support of a counter-claim. While these
Democratic Com missioners know, as does their
legal adviser, County Attorney Spencer, that
Ayres and Morrison have no legal right what
ever, they persist in shielding these two men,
who would like to profit by the election crimes.
DR.. Morrison, it Is said, if left to him
self, would resign all claim to the
Office on the fraudulent majority given
him by the tally sheet forgers. But this simple
act of justice at the dictation of conscience not
scared by political vicousness would leave Ayres
in pitiable plight. The frauds tn at are osten.
sibly accepted by the Commissioners and other
Democrats of Sim Coy's school as the election
of Morrison make up Ayres's fraudulent ma
iority. Hence, not to protect Morrison would be
to defeat Ayres, whose position Is the only one
the Commissioners. under the lash Of Coyism,
are frettiDg over III both cases there is wish
on the part OF the defenders of the criminals and
those who profted by their acts to hold off until
the United States grand jury makes report If
no indictments are returned Gov and his tools
on the Board Of County Commissioners will
throw themselves on the defense that, as the
grand jury returned no indictments there were
no frauds; hence, Ayres and Morrison were
elected.
This was doubtless the understanding Of the
Commissioners as to what they were expected to
do in reference 20 the tender of Dr. Wagners
bond, and his claim to the Office on the strength
OF Morrison failing to qualify. Mr.. Winter. on
behalf of Wagner, appeared before the board
and asked for decision on this question. Sahm
and Reveal shifted the entire responsibility on
County Attorney Spencer. who had drawn up an
ontry, showing that nothing before board.
1t did not even mention the fact of the tender
of the bond. Mr.. Winter and Commissioner
Clinton would not have it that way, and after
some wrangling, the county attorney drew mp an
other form, reciting the tender of the bond
land the board. being sufficiently advised in the
premises refuse to allow the same to be filed
or to take any action thereon" Mr. Winter
said he wanted the records to state facts. He
presented the bond but he could do no more
than to ask the Commissioners to approve *;
but he would not submit to any lodging of tbs
issue by the board pretending there was moth
ing before it upon which to order az entry
nO lut'oA Aoi III euitcu his purposes, anu u went
upon the record as proceeding of Tuesday last,
when the bond was rendered, and not of Thurs
day, the day OF its disapproval.
Dr. Wagner went before Notary Anderson and
subscribed to the oath of Office. This paper was
taken to County Clerk Sullivan, who willingly
put his filemark upon it and ordered it placed
among other papers of its kind. The coroner
elect then passed upstairs and demanded the of
fee from acting Coroner Rocker who declined
to give him possession Quo warranto proceed
ings will shortly follow.