The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-03-23
CHICAG0'S B00DLING SET.
SENSATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS IN
THE OFFICIAL INVESTIGATION
Tho Fine Work OF Ex-Chief Bonfield-His
Shorthand Reporters and MicrOphono-
Thousands of Dollars for n Single Fran
chise-Other Reports.

CHICAGO, March 1S-The scenes about the
criminal court building today were a repetition
of the exciting incidents that marked the in
vestigation four years ago that landed in the
penitentiary halt a dozen of the best known
politicians of the city. The inquiry which be-
gan today opened with a supposed "squealor"
as the first witness TO disclose the secret
money getting methods of his fellow-aldermen
The witness was Alderman Stanley Kunz, who
gave utterance to some strikingly queer re-
marks the other night on the floor of the coun-
Gil chamber and who it has been stated felt
that he had not received all he was entitled to
when favOrs were being passed around for
franchises worth hundreds of thousands
While kunz was In the jury room and
being put upon the rack, reports were
current among the interested groups outside
that at least one alderman had fled the city
and that number OF others were under de-
tective surveillance. States Attorney Long
necker had earnest conference with Detec-
tive John Bonfield, of anarchist fame, before the
inquisition began. KunZ denied having given
up any valuable information. but admitted
that he was TO be recalled later on, Attorney
Longnecker said: "Kunz can tell great deal
in fact, we have so much incontroyertible evil
dence that he can do as he pleases about veri-
flying it,"
The states attorney said he had no doubt OF
Indictment of a number of the city fathers for
forming a well-orgsnized ring, and the posi-
bility that much larger fish would be caught in
the net.
The discovery is sold to have been made by
the detectives employed BY the investigators
that the combine" met in a room in the rear
OF a saloon owned by a certain alderman for
the division of the spoils or the planning of
other sand-bsgging schemes. John Bonfeld,
who is said to have done most OF the detecting
IN the case, rented a room directly over that
used by the combine" as "a clearing house.
Through hole made In the ceiling and
miorop phone communicating with the interior
Of the lower room, the ex-chief of detectives
and heard everything that transpired
below him. Shorthand reports of the scenes
and conversations were made by the detectives
assistant. who eat beside him while taking OBJ
servations.
In addition to this il is said that disappointed
political ambition has had considerable to do
with the expose. Two aldermen-oue a re-
publican aud the other a demOcrat-were
turned down" by their respective parties at
the recent primaries and in revenge are d.
vuigIng the secrets oil the gang. Alderman
Roth was defeated for denomination and a re-
port was current today that TO him largely the
inception of the investigation was due. He
was said to have received 81 900 in two bills of
$500 each in the retiring room of the council
chamber or the Sherman house on the night
of the economic gas ordinance. The story is
that he took the money, voted yea" and then
"wlted." He subsequently. il is said, went to
q newspaper Office, gave up the money end
told of other transactions that had come TO his
knowledge.
CHICAGO, March 19.-Today the investi-
CATION into the Chicago aldermanic Doodle
methods was begun by the grand jury in
earnest States Attorney Longnecker and
Foreman Lieb held a conference which
resulted in determination 10 drop every
thing and push the investigation as
rapidly as possible. As the investigation
proceeds its scope broadens. Another
ordinance has been added TO the list OF
those to be inquired into. 1t is the Jeffer-
son and Urban electric franchise, which.
it is said, was ''sandbagged" for $4,000 in
the interest of the Yerkes cable system.
Alderman Kunz, the supposed ''squealer."
who testified yesterday, was again among
the witnesses examined today.
The ward statesmen held high carnival
while waiting for their turn and cracked
many a forced joke. Alderman Kunz
was on the rack for an hour, and looked
crestfallen when he emerged from the
jury room. A grand Juror was quoted as
authority Tor the statement that kunz
was working both sides and had tried TO
get money out of certain aldermen as the
price of his silence. Before adjournment
for the day the jury decided to take up
among other things the aldermanc sale of
positions 10 would-be employees OF the city
government. 1t is said some of the alder
men went so far as to have printed blanks
prepared, by which applicants bound
themselves each to pay the almighty alder
men from the salary OF the coveted place
when secured sums ranging from IS to SO.
One paper saws: Three sales of the city
franchises are just these. Northern Pa
cific, S2S0.000; Economic gas, $4,000;
Compressed air, Sl30,000. These are the
amounts the members of the council re-
ceived in those three deals. and some of
them will wish soon they mad never seen
a cent of it.
States Attorney Longnecker denied
the statement that the witnesses were
disappointing to the state. He said: 1--WE
got all we expected to get and even more.
All we have done yet is only feeler We
are going to 20 slow in the matter and
make sure of every step. We have got
them where they cannot get away and
there is no especial hurry"
That the grand jury has thus far been
shooting at random is proven by an inter
view with Alderman Chasey who was be-
fore the tribunal today Tor short time.
I'm the first place" said he. II cans
imagine why was subpPnaed unless il
be to ascertain il was ever offered bride.
/ was absent from the council when the
| vote was taken on the economic gas.
| Northern Pacific and the compressed air
ordinances. ] voted for theirepeal of the
Northern Pacific ordinance. was asked
ii had ever been offered bride and told
them / had not. | informed them that |
knew nothing of boodling of my own
knowledge, and had only heard rumors
that money had obtained the passage OF
certain ordinances"
In answer to a question as to the prob
able outcome of the investigation Alder
man Chasey gave it as his opinion that the
grand jury evidently knew a great deal.
Bailiffs were out all day looking for
Hosmer and Soule Of the Urban COM
pany, but they were unable to find them.
States Attorney Longnecker says: at
| looks as though Hosper and Soule had
weakened" Upon being questioned the
states attorney saId two indictments would
be returned Monday, but declined to par
ticularize.