The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1890-05-09
ALDERMEN UNDER ARREST.
Des Moines Officials Charged
with Issuing and Cashing
Bogus Warrants.
The Matter in the Hands Of tht
Grand Jury---Probing II 70
the Bottom.
Fearful Deed Of a Crazy California
Mother---Hs Didn't Shoot
the Major.

nRs MonSRs. May s.
The story OF the hoodling aldermen has
aroused Des Molnss. The grand inIy haa
taken the matter up with the intsntioneof
probing Ii to the bottom. Alderman
Yonngerman, who has been the prime
moyerin uncoverine the alleged corruption,
was the first witness. He told how he had
traced the rumor until he had run upsa
the facts nov disclosed. Alderman Msay,
Clerk Hammer, and Bookkesper Ghristy
have admitted the receipt OF the money
they ara accused OF taking. The othfss
will no doubt do the same. They excuse
the Delinquency because under the old iaw
IL was customary for aldermen To take .
few hnndrsd dollars per year for extFa
service aud for performing the duties Of
chairman OF committees. The practice re-
suited In such pronounced abuses that the
Law was changed two years ago, raising
the salaries OF alderman from $50 per
year TO $3.50. but making the last named
sum the absolute maximum for all services
OF every character. At the same time D
board Of public works was created for ths
city, which took from tho council numer-
ous duties, including that OF making aN
contracts Tor paving, sewers and grading.
This part of their duties the aldermen evil
IDENTIFY did not like 60 lose, and the mayors
first appointments under this Law werv
hung up and finally reiected. This action
prevented all street improvements for this
year. This spring the mayer sent 10 nes
appointments, and these were finally con
firmed, although the work of the board has
been steadily hampered by the council
The act of making illegal drafts np0n
the treasury as extra compensation
through warrants TO fictitious par
ties, and either cashed by the
treasurer or discounted by brokers, h said
to have begun two years ago, although no
warrants ct szTtfgr dHrB Than Dec. II, 1858.
have vet been found. The first ID ths
$500 warrant made payable 10 j. "a.
johnson as bearer. Previsous 60 this
date, City Treasurer shope, as Is charged.
without any authority whatever, paid ont
Of the ciiy funds 10 Aldsrnsn Reynoldss
$500: shelaon. 500, Smith, S30u; DradY.
$500; Hammer, $500. These warrants
were TO cover these legal payments. In
ths way extra compensation was paid ont
W tue City ukHIiA1h NJ &h0 hsM8A1A @& =
srifie over $4,000. To bring the con-
sciences of Auditor Laird and Treasurer
Shope TO a state Of duilnsss where one
would issue and the other cash
or indorse these ihsfts, each, it
is alleged, was presented with one
for $500. II Is not TO he believed that
DIR. Hammer and Mr.. Christy made mp
these fictitious claims, drew warrants,
cashsd them and divided the proceeds
among the counciImen without any diree-
tion or order from the counciimen them
selves. The facts indicate we'll consid-
cred conspiracy. II is argued that there
must have been meetings of the council in
which these matters were debated and de-
termined upon. just where they were
held and who vas present Ia not vet known,
but the prosecution expects TO reveal IT,
or the men alleged TO be implicated in the
illegal appropriation of city money, seven
--skope, Laird, Hammer, Crisfy, Rey-
nolds, Morris and Sheldon -are republi-
cans, while three Smith, Hammer and
Drady ARE democrats. II is not believed
thar the list Of delinqnents is exhausted
and ga effort will be made 10 procure o
complete disclosure Of the whole matter.