Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-03-24
Remarks Made when Intoxicated in
Immoral Houses Aid the
Prosecution.
Aldermen Roth Tells Fully Of His
Connection with the
Expose.

CHICAGO. March 2l.--After three
days investigation the grand jury this
afternoon returned true bill against seven
aldermen charged with conspiracy 10
commit bribery in connection with var
ious ordinances which have been the
subject of investigation. Those in
dicted are: W. J. 0'Brien, Daniel r.
O'Brien, Nicholas A. Craemer, T. J. Cor
man, Phillip jackson, S. NJ. Gosslin,
JOHN M. German. More indictments
were found but not returned against the
first named, w. J. 0'Brien. They charg
ed bribery, and state that O'Brien gave
Alderman Roth $1,000 to vote for the
Northern Pacific ordinance, and $3.50 to
vote for the economic gas ordinance.
Among the names of witnesses signed
to the indictments is that of Hannah Lar
kin. In regard to this appearance of "a
woman In the case, States Attorney
Longenecker said: There are certain
houses of i'll repute which certain alder
men visited while under the influence of
liquor and where they talked too much for
their own good.
Asked if more indictments might be
looked for, the states attorney said one a
day might be expected until the whole
outfit is run down.
Judge Anthony fixed bail at $4,000.
Capiases were at once issued and placed in
the hands OF the deputy sheriff and this
evening all those indicted except Alder
man Gosslin have come in and furnished
bonds.
Alderman Roth made public tonight for
the first time the part he has taken In
Doodle transactions. He says he had not
been long in the council until LIE found
that ordinances were not always passed
on their merits At the time of the
passage of the economic ordinance over
the mayors veto, it WAS
found 10y the boodlers that it would be
necessary to bring into line some alderman
whose vote was originally against it, He
Roth was spoken to by one of the
O'Briens, who said he could receive a con
sideration for his vote.
Knowing that the papers had taken
vigorous public stand against booding
and that they would be friendly to any ex-
posture and with a further view of bring
ing the corruptlonists to justice he Roth
called on the Daily News. The matter
was carefully talked over ard arrange
ments made TO- receiving the money prom
ised In such a way that witnesses could
testify to the visit Of the man who paid it.
Roth says $3.50 was paid him in his office
and he Immediately sho we'd it to his book
keeper, explaining the nature of the case.
Immediately after he took the money to
the Daily News office and in the presence
OF witnesses deposited it In the safe in a
sealed envelope.
Two weeks later the Northern Pacific
ordinance passed the council a second
time. Certain aldermen from the south
side informed Roth the day after that
Billy Brien had the money and he was
to meet Billy at the Sherman house that
afternoon. Roth immediately gave the
fact to the Daily News and they had the
place watched That afternoon Billy
O'Brien met Roth in the city hall and
handed him an 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 repre-
sentatives of the other papers. The en-
velope was opened In their presence, and
found to contain two $500 bills, which
were again sealed up and placed with the
other money.
Roth says he took no money at any time
for any other purpose than the idea of ex
posing the corruptionists and has profted
in no way ether than In the feeling of sat
isfaction that follows a duty we'll per-
formed
Not one of the indicted aldermen will
talk this evening further than to profess
their ability to prove their innocence. In
the face of possible Imprisonment for a
number of them, the members of the city
oouncil at the regular weekly meeting
tonight exhibited a disposition to
be facetious, but the proceedings were
rather subdued. One member of the council
finally introduced an order that the cor
pcration counsel be instructed to assist
the states attorney in any manner posi-
BILE in investigating boodling.
Alderman O'Neili exclaimed that there
ought to be honor among thieves, but
did not think the council should order
anything of the kind. The notion was
placed on file.