The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-03-19
THE CHICAGO BOODLERS.

CHICAGO March 1S-The scenes about
the criminal court building today were {
repetition OF the exciting incidents thai
marked the investigation four years age
that landed in the penitentiary hall
dozen of the best known politicians of The
city. The inquiry which began today
opeued with supposed "squealer" as the
first witness, to disclose the secret money
getting methods of his fellow aldermen.
The witness was Alderman Stanley Kunz
who, while in his cups, gave utterance to
some stIikingly queer remarks the other
night on the floor Of the council chamber,
and who, it has been stated, felt that he
had not received all that he was entitled
to when favors were being passed around
sor franchises worth hundreds OF
thousands.
While KunZ WAS within the jury room
reports were current that at least
one alderman had fed the city and that a
number of others were under detective
surveillance. 1t was whispered that the
prosecution had struck a snag at the out
set in the fact that the corporations inter
ested in the alleged fraudulent grants had
representatives in the membership of
the grand jury. Color was lent to this re-
port by the announcement, when Alder
man kunz came out of the jury room, that
no other witnesses would be examined
until tomorrow. The states attorney
5eeIDeu 10 nave no uCuDJ Ol bHe
of number of city fathers for having a
well organized ring, and of the possibility
that much larger fish viii be caught IN
the net.
The discovery is said to have been made
by the detectives employed by the investi-
gators that the tcom bine" met in a room
IN the rear of saloon owned by certain
alderman for a division of the spoils, and
the planning of other "sandbaggiug"
Tohfa Ropfield xyho is said In
have done most of the detective work in
the case, rented room directly over that
used by the combine" as clearing house.
Through hole made in the ceiling and a
microphone communicating with the in
Ierior of the lower room the eX-chief of
detectives saw and heard everything that
transpIred below him. Shorthand reports
Of the scenes and conversations We're made
Dy the detectives assistant, who sat beside
him while taking observations.
In addition TO this, il is said that disap-
pointed political am mDltion has had consid-
cradle to do with the expose. Two alder
1nen lone Republican and the other a
Democrat) were turned down" bv their
respective parties at the recent primaries
and IN revenge are divulging the secrets of
the gang. Alderman Roth was defeated
for denomination. tud the report was cur
rent today that him largely was the
inception of the investigation due. He
was said 10 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 passage of the Econ
omic gas ordinance. The story is that
be kept the money, but voted yea and
then wiited He subsequently, it is said.
went to newspaper office, gave up the
money, aud told of other transactions that
had come to his knowledge.
When the jury assemblies tomorrow
Alderman kunZ will be again put on the
stand. The next witness will probably be
President Billings Of the gas trust. Mr
billings fought the passage of the Econo-
mic Gas ordinance. 1t is rumored that he
viii give positive testimony TO the effect
that he was given to undersland that he
could prevent the passage of the Economic
Gas ordinance by bidding oyer the men be-
hind 1t. IL is also understood that he will
testify that $50, 900 was the figure named
as necessary TO prevent the passage of the
ordinance and subserve the interest of the
gas trust. He will also tell the names of
the aldermen who told him OF the amounts
they had received TO vote for the ordinance.
No pimple, spot, or blemish disfigures
he skin preserved by CUTCURA SOAP.