The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-03-23
STARTED The BALL
GRAND JURY BEGINS TO PROBE
STORIES OF CORRUPTION.
GAINS SOME KNOWLEDGE.
CAN TELL DIFFERENCE NOW
'TWIXT TWEEDLEDUM AND
TWEEDLEDEE.

ored Politician, Explains to the
Grand Jury the Distinction Be
tween Buying Votes and Inducing
Observation-Disclosures His Meaning
by ExampIe-ExpIanati Was Luz
cid But Failed to Provide Ground
Upon which the Jury Could Pro-
ceed-Sunday Violation Cases Go
over Until Tuesday.
At its meeting yesterday afternoon the
grand jury of the Superior Court made its
first tentative attempt to investigate the
stories of alleged political corruption at
the election of March Is, and to explore
the black caverns of political debauch-
cry of which these stories tell.
The tour Of investigation and explora-
ton was to have been made under the
guidance OF William Logan, a well-known
colored politician who, at the last cleo
ton, was actively and prominently iden-
titled with the McAlpin forces, and the
McAlpin campaign The attempt failed of
tangible result because of the dense ig-
norance that William professed of the
subjects of the grand jurys investigation.
So far as could be learned from him the
caverns the grand jury wished 70 ex-
plore have no existence.
Though this was the general result, or
lack of result, of the investigation, it
may be that the grand jury learned the
oft-sought distinction between tweedle-
dunn and (weedledee and to appreciate
something of the hair-spitting processes
which are INDUCED in to still the clamors
OF the average political conscience. In
other words they learned the difference
between the purchase of votes and the
purchase of influence.
Maj. James r. Sheldon, foreman of the
grand jury, conducted the examination OF
Logan when he first appeared in
the jury room Mr.. L. Putzel, an
other member of the grand jury, also aid
ed in the investigation. To the Drelimi-
nary questions of these members Of the
jury William answered that he had not
seen any votes purchased and could not
state of his own knowledge that any such
barter and sale of the freeman's heritage
had occurred.
well, didn't you have some money for
use on the day of the election?' asked the
foreman.
'oh, yes. sir" answered the witness. Il
had about 500"
What did you do with it?"
We'll, sir, 1 spent it treating the boys"
Around in all the barrooms." he ex-
planned, in answer to a supplemental
question.
We'll, did anybody else around the polls
have any money!
Lots of EN-, SIR
What did they get it for?'
For working on the election day-for
their influence"
'Inhuence?"
Eyes. sir. I'll explain It to you You
see, it's like this, Maj. Sheldon You may
have eight or nine votes, and your inf1u-
ence would be worth S25 or $50; somebody
else might only have one vote, and his in
fuence would only be worth about S.
That's the way ii is" said the witness
confidentially, and IS though he had clear
ed up, TO the perfect satisfaction OF every
fsir-minded man, the entire situation.
The grand jury seemed TO think that not
mucn was to be hoped for from Logan,
and he was permitted to go.
Later during the session. while the case
against z. 3. Flood was under considera-
ton, the investigation OF election condi-
tons was renewed. Felix Mendel, the man
whom Flood assaulted appeared as the
prosecuting witness against him. Mendel
and Flood were heelers of the opposing
factions on the day of the election, and
the assault committed on the former by
the latter drew out Of one of the many
fights that occurred around the Court
House on that occasion. This was devel-
oped In evidence.
Then the grand jury wanted to know of
Mendel If he had seen any votes pur-
chased. The witness explained that ne
had not had that privilege.
why were you for Maj. Screven?" ask
ed the foreman.
"Oh, l have known the Major the long
est, ! guess" Mendel, too, was given up
by the grand jury in disgust
Mr.. W. F. Slater, attorney for the Law
and Order League. and the four men who
have gathered the evidence upon which
the violators of the laws designed to pre-
serve inviolate the sanctity of the Sab
bath, are TO be indicted were on hand
during the session of the grand jury
The four men who have done the work
of gathering evidence, are Jasper N. Nc
Giilius, Adolphus S. Canuet. Thomas b
Gracen and George w. Beach. The first
is an instaliment furniture dealer, the
second dealer in syrup in jugs, the third
and fourth, green grocers.
MIR. Slater was in conference for a long
time with the solicitor general and about
eight or ten indictments, charging tn,
sale of everything from shoestrings tC
whisky on Sunday, were drawn and ready
for presentation to the grand jury. Tn,
witnesses were in the room with counsel
and were ready and willing to go before
the grand jury and give their evidence.
However, the matter had to be post
poned. The grand jury had about TIVE
dozen criminal cases to dispose of, and by
the time the witnesses in these had al
been examined. it was verging toward 6:3
O'Clock. The members of the grand jurl
decided they had worked hard enough anC
long enough for one day, and they caile,
off the Law and Order cases until mex
Tuesday.
On that day there is going to be a grea
roundup of the violators of the law. MT
Slater says there are fifty or sixty case
in which indictments will be asked, il
which violation of the Sunday laws is tn,
offense charged.
IL may be that at this meeting OF Tues
day the grand jury will continue its In
vesugation of the alleged political cor
rupuon of the last election. Logan. tn,
only witness specially summoned 10 ties
fifty on this subject at the session Of yes
terday only received his subpoena durins
the morning, and 1t is evident that wha
was done was merely tentative. III Their,
IS to be an investigation, the real troubl,
Is yet 10 come.
FLOOD WAS INDICTED.