The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-03-22
Seven of Chicago's Aldermen Arc
Indicted for Conspiracy to
Commit Bribery.
Very Effective Aid of the News-
papers In Bringing Them
to the Bar.
Apparently Sure Case Against Some OF
Them--Aiderman Koth's Part In
the 1ransactIOns. --5

CHICAGO, March 2l.--hfter three daya in
vestigatior, the grand jury this afternoon
returned true bill against seven alder
men charged with conspiracy to commit
bribery in connection with various ordi-
nnnces which have been the subject of in-
vestigation. Those indicted are w. j.
OBrien, Daniel X. O'J3.ien, Nicholas A.
Craemer, 4. j. Gornlan, Philip jackson. s.
M. Gosslin. John M. German. Two more
indictments were found but not returned
against the titst named, w. j. O'Brien.
They charged bribery and state that
O'Brien gave Alderman Roth ~, 900 to vots
for the Northern Pacific ordinance and $3.50
to vote for the Economic Gas ordinance.
Among the names of witnesses signed
to the indictments il that Of Hannah
Larkin. Ia regard to this appearace Of
woman in the case, States Attorney Long
necker said There are certain houses OF
III repute which certain aldermen visited
while under the influence Of liquor, ana
where they talked too much for their own
good. Asked il more indictments might. be-
looked for the states attorney said none
might be expected until the whole outfit il
run down. As soon as indictments we're out
Judge Anthony fixed bail at $4,000. Ca
phases were at once isEned and placed in the
hands OF deputy sheriff and this
evening all those indicted except AL
derman Gosslin have come in
and furnished bonds. Alderman
Roth tonight made public officially for the
first time the part he has taken III the
DOODLE transactions. He says he had not
been long in the council until he found
that ordinances we're not always passed
upon their merits. At the time of the pass
age of the Economic ordinance over the
mayors veto. it was found ny the boodlers
that it would be necessary to bring into
line some alderman whose vote originally
was against it. He (Roth) was spoken to
BY one Of the O'Brians. who said he could
receive q consideration for his vote.
Knowing the Daily News and other pa
pers had taken vigorous public stand
against boodling, and that they would be
friendly to any exposure and with the fur
ther view Of bringing the corruLtionists to
justice. he (koth) called on the Daily
News. The matter WAS carefully talked
over and arrangements made for receiving
the money promised in such q way that
witnesses could testify to the visit of the
man who paid it. Roth says $3.50 was paid
him III his office and he Immediately showed
it to his bookkeeper, explaining the nature
Of the case. Immediately afterward he
took the money to ths Daily News
office and in the presence of wit
nesses, deposited it in the safe in a sealed
envelope. wo weeks later the Northern
Pacific ordinance passed the council a Sec
ond time. A certain alderman from the
south side informed Roth the day after
that Billy O'Brien had the money and that
he was to meet Billy at the Sherman house
that afternoon. Roth Immediately COM
municated the fact to the Daily News and
they had the Sherman house watched.
That afternoon Billy O'Brien met Roth in
the hall and handed him III envelope with
the word Roth written on the outside of
it. Roth went over to the office of Baker,
attorney for the Tribune, and telephoned
for representatives of other papers. The
envelope was opened i'll their presence and
found to contain two $500 bills, which were
again sealed up and placed with other
money.
Roth says he took no money at any time
for any other purpose than with the idea of
exposing the corruption existing, and has
profited in no way other than in the feel
ing of satisfaction that follows duty we'll
performed. Not one of the indicted alder
men would talk this evening, other than to
profess ability to prove entire innocence.
In the face Of possible imprisonment for
council, at the regular weekly meeting to-
night, exhibited disposition to be face
tious, but the proceedings we're rather sub
dued. One member Of the council finally
introduced an order that the corporation
counsel be instructed to assist the states
attorney in any manner possible III lnyestl-
eating boodling. Alderman ONeill e1-
claimed, lauahinply. that there ought to be
honor among thieves, and he didn't think
the council should order anything of the
kind. The motion was placed on file.