The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-18
LAWRENCE COUNTY AFFAIRS.
Some of the Things Involved in Re-
cent Grand Jury Indictments.


Special to the Indianapolis Journal
BEDFORD, Ind, Jan. 17-Discussion IN
Lawrence county in reference to the re-
ported bills returned by the grand jury has
reached a high pitch. 1t has just recently
leaked out that bills have been found
against quite a number of county and town
ship officials, as well as some gravel-road
contractors 1t is said that arrests will be
made this week Early in the last campaign
the Bedford Democrat made bitter and
serious charges against certain county Off
Gals who were candidates for reelection,
and kept it up even to the last issue pre-
vious to the election. The accusations so
boldly made by the Democrat were not eff
fective, as every Republican official attacked
was elected
Judge Martin, who is a Republican con-
vened a special grand jury for the November
term of court and delivered q carefully
prepared charge, the substance Of which was
that limitations of corruption in county and
township officials, coming through certain
papers and local gossip, had prompted him
to impose upon the grand jury the necessity
Of investigating the acts of every ofnclal
of trust from his Honor down, and If any
fact savoring of corruption was disclosed
TO return bills accordingly. For the purpose
of the investigation he deposed Prosecuting
Attorney Earring and appointed S. B. Lowe,
who had previously served three terms as
prosecuting attorney for the counties of
Lawrence and Monroe. This move on the
part of the judge occasioned much embar-
rassment to Prosecutor Earring, who serious
" objected to being ousted at the time; but
later he withdrew his objection and allowed
S. B. Lowe to participate in the matter.
Most of the officials indicted have hereto
fore stood high in both social and political
circles, and the impression prevails mat
they will be arrested and allowed to go on
their own recognizance. Prominent lawyers
have been retained by some of the defend
ants and have examined the indictments
with q view of contesting every part some
attorneys assert that Judge Martin mas no
authority to Gust the regular prosecutor anu
substitute a stranger in the grand jury
room; and probably this point VIII De SET
tied in the Supreme Court
All those indicted are Republicans except
one, who is a Populist belonging to a hrm
of gravel-road contractors. The report goes
that the following county officials are on the
list: Ex-Auditor John y. Malott gust re-
tiredl, County Surveyor VIII duncan, COll-
Inissioners Truebulood, Sears and Deutsson'
and commissioner John w. CoSner; aso,
three justices of the peace of ShansWlck
township and three gravel-road contractors.
Commissioner Deutisson was elected last
November, and his first sitting as an ofhclal
was IN December. he Is dl Il loSS " hhON
how a bill could be returned against him.
He has done nothing except what was clear
ly in his scope. Trueblood, Sears and COS
ner are men of considerable business prom
inence in this county, the two former beng
extensive farmers, the latter prosperous
merchant and director and stakeholder IN
the Stone City Bank of this city.
The Republicans of Lawrence county are
as anxious as are the Democrats for puri1i-
cation in affairs, if impurity exists. Repub-
licans who are familiar with all the facts
attending the investigation believe the mat
ter will end in a farce, except possibly IN
one or two instances where officials have
misinterpreted the law, but who stand ready
to be set right. While the Republican party
has predominated in Lawrence county for
years, it has always been cautious in nomi-
mating and eecting men worthy of public
confidence. The Democratic party here is
simply outnumbered, and has been so long
without office that the introduction of any
scheme looking to n foothold receives its
appreciation Democrats reason that if this
Investigation brings forth significant fruit
the Republican politicians will carry an UNI
favorable impression of the judge and his
adherents and a remembrance that will
guide them in the future, thereby leaving a
split in the Republican ranks however this
matter terminates.