The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-06
VERSAILLES GRAND JURY
ATTENTION DIRECTED TO ITS SEES
SION THE COMING WEEK.
State Officials Still Reticent Concern
ing Their Plans i'm Prosecuting
the Lynching Party.

The grand jury of Ripley county will
meet at Versailles tomorrow, and either
this week or next il will be called upon to
consider evidence that has been accumu-
lated against the members of the Iynching
mob that disgraced the State during the
summer A number of more or less promi-
nent people Of the county participated in
this mob. and it seems that sufficient proof
is at hand to warrant the returning of
numerous indictments against them. But
IL still remains to be seen whether the jury
and court of Ripley are courageous enough
to proceed against these men. It is said
that it is almost worth a mans life to
assist in any attempts TO prosecute Them
such is the reign of fear that dominates
the administration of justice I'm that part of
the State.
The policy of the state authorities APP
pears to be a waiting one. Every chance
will be given the local officials to do their
duty. and only when it is seen that moth
ing is likely to be done will the state au-
thorities take such steps as may be within
their power. Whether the state has as
sisted in the gathering of, evidence is I'M
known. but it is known that the Governor
has always been very anxious to bring to
justice the outlaws that degraded the State
ia the eyes OF civilized communities.
Several things have happened recently
that might lead to the conclusion that the
state was either taking a hand at this time
occasion requires. Judge Willard New, the
Judge OF the Ripley county circuit, was in
the city Friday; and he may or
senator sc6neck. of seymour. who is
said to be interested in the matter, was
in the city. Merrill Moores, assistant at
torney general on being questioned about
the senator's visit, said that he was inter-
net in emit fnl for o-n4 Cir
Courts against the city of Jeffersonville for
the payment of $4,000 of bonds, suit in
which Mr.. Moores is counsel on one side
and the attorney general is counsel on the
other and that his visit had to do with this
matter. Mr.. Moores said he did not know
that Mr. Schneck was interested in the
also stated that both he and the attorney
general would be engaged in arguments be-
fore the Court of Claims during the coming
week and that he himself would leave the
city Wednesday to attend the cycling con-
Vention at st. Louis.
This does not look vesy much as if we
were going to Versailles next week. does
it?" said Mr.. Moores.
The Governor was also seen about Sem
ator. Schneek,s visit. Rs said that he did
and was not advised as to tbs plans Of
either him or the attorney general He did
not care to make any expression about the
prosecution of the lynchers, and could not
state as TO what might take place at Yer
sailles the coming week. He did say. how
ever, that the state had some. plans in the
matter that could not now be discussed
but that the time will come when it will
take an active part.
The state officials have been much pro-
Voked recently by premature publications
of the supposed steps that the state was
contemplating. Their reucence is one of
policy. ii being feared that the ends OF JUS
tice may be defeated by showing their
hands too early. and also that persons fall
ing under the suspicion of members of the
mob might come to harm.