The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-28
He Makes Forcible and Convincing Presen-
tation of the Criminal and Political
Phases OF the Gangs Conspiracy.
A Careful and Impartial Review of the
Evidence. by Judge Woods.
His Instructions Make Plain the Duty of the
Jury-No Indications at Midnight that
Verdict Had Been Agreed Upon.

courtroom was filed to its full seating capacity,
with scores standing and many more coming in
the speech progressed Within half hour
the room could hold no more. for upon the space
for the attorneys the crowd had already en-
croeched only the presiding judge and jury be.
ing free from contact with the spectators.
Throughout both for the prosecution and de-
fense the speeches had been effective, and Judge
Clay pool supplemented them with one abound
ing in sarcasm. invective aud close arraying OF
the facts educed. AS an introduction he reviewed
the general features of the case, and spoke
highly of the several reputable witnesses for
the government whose characters had been
assailed by the defense to protect Coyism. Ne
farious methods in politics through Coyism had
too long burdened the Democracy of Marion
county. Whatever was legitimate and right in
politics. to that Coy and bis followers were al
ways opposed They had crowded down the
better elements of their party and made it a
mark of scorn for all pure-minded and honest
men. He himself had been called an honest
Democrat and honorable man by
of the attorneys for Coy, but
If he was candidate for Office against "Goose"
Eden, how much support would he get from Sim
Coy and men like the Budds and Sullivans?
They stand ready to rush out and corral at the
primaries the toughs and roughs in the
gne-houses, stables and saloons to vote against
citizens like A. B. Conduit and ''Old Bill' Hen
derson. as they call him. Witness after witness
has said that Coy had good character, because
he paid his debts: but of the vilest deeds
and reputation often DO that for purpose. and
it is easy matter for people to bring witnesses
to speak for their honesty and integrity. Once
in Terre Haute thirty years ago, a man OF sup
posed respectability, who always paid his debts
and whose name was COED st bank for any
thing he chose to sign, all
the time member of gang of
forgers and counterfeiters. But when it came
to Coy's moral character his attorneys would
not let the governments inquire into it, nor did
their own witnesses dare open their mouths as
to his moral standing. When there is fear to
open the door on this line tne jury may be sure
the character in question is thi. % man who
will forge taily-sheets. When the government
came to prove the moral character of Perkins,
the defendants objected. and the objection was
sustained. His Honor wonld pardon him if he
stated that after his Honor had looked into the
authorities he said the government had right
to show the moral standing and general charac-
ter of Perkins. He wanted the time to come
when persons can become candidates, if they
desire. without bending their knees to Sim Coy
TO COrTai the GOoS6 EN6nS IN Lue1T interests.
But to cave Coy the defendants had been driven
to the strait of dragging down men like Captain
Ritter, David ". Coffin and the committee OF
one hundred.
A great crime an enormous crime, has been
committed and the criminal is worse than a
thief but If there is a juror who does not SO re-
gard him he if tho attorney ever was candi-
date, would not ask for his vote. The stencil of
this crime has reached Washington. How it
got there he did not know. bnt he stood there
appointed by the government, by Grover Cleve-
land and Attorney-eeneral Garland TO prosecute
to the utmost the perpetrators of this vile crime.
But they tell you that Claypoo is no Democrat,
and yet when he was twenty-eight
years old he received what no man
ever did before-the appointments of Circuit
Judge from Governor Willard without as king
for 1T. Yet Claypool is Democrat, because
he will not bend the knee to Sim Coy. To-day,
st this very hour, Allen G. Thurman, thateminent
Democrat. the e1-United States Senator. is
gagged at Columbus in the very same kind of
case. No doubt the Coys there will cay Thur
man is no Democrat. There is committee OF
one hundred there. He was glad that there
were commit tees of one hundred in Cincinnati.
Columbus and Indianapolis. Why. when he
first went. years ago, into the county of Mr..
Buskirk, who yesterday spoke ably for these
men, to hold court, he found there committee
of one hundred.
The defense had told the jury that the State
had failed to prosecute these men, therefore the
jury ought not to find them guilty; but the crime
against the State was involved in that against
the United States. II is claimed that because a
man is a murderer he should not bs found
guilty of burglary. The United States law
makes it an ofense to procure from election
officers what the law says they shall zeaously
guard. 1t is as direct violation of law that
OF Influencing the officers of the United States
not to do their duty Again, it is an offense to
conspire to do this. and yet the defendants say
the conspiracy cannot be proved by the acts
done. One may A., B. and C. each carrying
furniture feioniously from house, AID while
the burglary is a fact beyond doubt, A. B. and
Z. will say you cannot convict them
for there is nothing to show that they con-
spired to commit the crime. But one man could
not DO il all. So in this case, for liz Perkins
performed the forgery he must have operated
with others in procuring the papers from those
who had control of them. It is said that P err
kins is the only one who had any motive in
Ayres being elected by fraud. but Sim Coy had
the same motive. not to put him there for
days only. but for the full term
Again IL is said that Ayres proposed n recount
to settle the controversy which Judge Irwin
had brought suit in contest Had that contest
proceeded by appeal after appeal, Judge Irwin
could have been kept out of his Office. Judge
Twins attorney. however, took speedier metn-
cd by quo warranto proceedings Through this
the recount OF votes made and in that the
and indisputably shown that Ayres surren-
dered. But he believed if Ayres could have pro-
cured security bond for appeal and damages
he would have even then taken the case to the
Supreme Court Where. then, was the ele-
CANT watch OF Sim Coy, who says
and assi-tance of poor. unfortunate fe,owsi sa is
was the Coys and the Goose" Edens who were
interested in keeping Ayres on the bench, go
that when when Edens gambling rooms over
Sim Coy's saloon were raided he could be sure
of a friend AFT court.
There is too much sickly sentmentaiity about
criminals too much reasonable doubt, too much
tenderness, but he believed that when a Grim
inal was convicted the voice should be To lay on
the lash the law contemplates 1t is the sub
serviency of courts to influential citizens that
drives men lynch Law. But he believed
he had before him then
jury like those Of Cincinnati. and Chicago who
had in fear in finding guilty the Ccyites Of