The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-10-19
AFTER WARD HEELERS.
THE GRAND JURY MAY HAVE AN
INVESTIGATION.
Practices That Are in Violation OF
the Election Law-How the Natter
Was brought to the Attention Of
the Inqufsftors.

Before many moons there is liable to
be a tremendous stir among ward
heelers, candidate bleeders and in local
political circles in general The man
ner in which money and promises are
being distributed in this campaign,
rumor has it, is TO be investigated, and
that by 10 less august body than the
srand jury now in session.
70 even a very close observer it
would appear difficult to find that any
money at all is being used in the local
campaign Promises are cheap, how
ever, and under the law the promise
OF an office for the purpose OF infiuenc-
ing voters is bribery as much as pay
ing so much per head for votes.
But probably the main object of the
investigation, if it materializes, is TO
teach q lesson to ward heelers and
those VINO are in the habit of work
ing candidates for money. Every city
is infested with this class OF citizens.
and Salt Lake has its share of the
contingent. They make it a practice
to interview candidates of all parties.
secure what promises or money they
can, torturing every candidate of each
political party in turn. The last legis-
lature enacted q law covering every
point that could be construed as brib-
is very strict and evidence, if once
secured against a person, makes it DIFF
fcult to escape punishment.
SO far all connected with the pro-
posed investigation are rumOrs. 1t Is
learned from a pretty authentic source.
however, that the grand jury has had
the matter under considerations and
that searching examination may fol-
low. Runor has it that a few DAYS
ago certain individual approached a
party, and for consideration offered
10 deliver the entire vote of the demi
monde population of the city to a GER
tain candidate. This incident was
brought to the jurors attention, and
showed a new state of affairs that
might very properly come within the
scope OF their duty as public investi-
gators.
The law on this point says: 1T shall
be unlawful for any person. directly or
indirectly, by himself or through any
person, to receive any money or other
valuable thing during or after an cleo
ton provided by law. on account Of
himself or any other person, for voting
or refraining from voting for any par
ticular person at such election, or on
account of himself or any other person
for going TO the polls or remaining
away from the polls at such election
or on account of having induced any
person TO vote or refrain from voting
or to vote or to refrain from voting
for any particular person or persons,
measure or measures, at such cleo
ton
The same also applies to the person
paying the bride. while another sub
division makes it a misdemeanor ito
give, offer or promise any office. place
or employment. or promise to procure
any Office. place or employment to or
for any voter, or to or for any other
person, in order to induce such voter
to vote or refrain from voting at any
any voter to vote or refrain from vOt-
ing at such election for any person
or PERSONS"
Thus the ground is we'll covered by
the statute. It would be interesting
to know what one might discover if
the x ray of investigation were turned
on by the grand jury.
There is another provision in the
new law which makes it an offense
for any candidate to make a bet or
wager on the result of the election
And stiH another section with which
the public is not generally familiar
compels every candidate voted for at
any election, except for precinct Of
ficers. school trustees and officers Of
Incorporated towns. to file with the
county clerk or secretary of state, as
the case may be, within thirty days
after the election, an itemized state
ment showing in detail all the money
expended or contributed by him. di-
rectly or indirectly. by himself or
through any other person in the aid OF
his or her election.