The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-03-30

The February Grand Jury made its final
report 10 Judge Wood in his division of the
criminal Court at noon Friday. Thirty-sev-
en- indictments were returned. Fourteen of
tnls number were made public. The Others
We're withheld. as The defendants have not
betn arrested.
In all about 500 witnesses were examined
by the BODY. So much time was consumed
IN the investigation OF the election cases
that the Grand Jury did not probe into the
city institutions and other affairs which are
usually taken up by the Grand Jury.
The Grand Jury which has Just adjourned
was composed OF ten Republicans and two
democrats. Messrs. Griswoid and Carr were
, the two Democrats.
| Two of those who were prominent in de-
veloping evidence for the Grand Jury were
Chris Schawacker and John Il. Owen, Re-
publican City Central Committeeman.
e. +. Blanke, foreman of the jury, is one
OF the vice presidents OF the Merchants
League Club.
| Ben Westhus. one of the grand jurors. is
a candidate for the City Council on the Re-
| publican ticket.
The indictments made public are:
| Robbery-First degree, John Rigney, Har-
ry Collins and Charles Freeman
Forgery-First degree. Harry Bilby.
Perjury-Otto kracker.
Establishment of Lottery-James Thorn
as and John May.
Embezzlement-Gus Hueser.
Receiving Stolen Property-Fritz Emory.
Grand Larceny-Edward Marshall.
Forgery-Jesse W. Major. six indictments
The full report of the Grand Jury follows:
The Report.
St Louis March 80. 1!ol.-Honorable Hora..
ito D. Wood Judge Circuit Court, City or
st. Louis: We, the Grand Jury of the Feb
ruary term, 1901, of the Circuit Court Of the
city of st. Louis. beg leave to report that
that may be classified of the regular docket
and have found 2l true bills and have ig-
nored 26
hoV a
that number.
We have been in session daily. except one
legal holidy and Saturdays since the 5th
day of February, and on account of this
extraordinarily long session, and the large
number of witnesses examined and testi-
mony brought before us. we found it neces-
sary to adjourn without making the usual
visit to the city institutions, having been
advised that our predecessors made full re.
it was not absolutely necessary for us to do
SO at this time
Election Law Violations.
In compliance with your instructions we
have given much time and careful consider
alton to the investigation of the registFa-
tion and election frauds. We are appalled,.
as our predecessors ro doubt were, at the
unmistakable evidence of the most fragrant.
defiant and audaciCu US violations of the
sanctity of the ballot box that were COM
mitted at the election on November last.
1t was In evidence before us that fraud
| ulent registration was carried on to very
great degree. We telieve that many thou
sand fictitious names were put upon the
registration books and very large number
of these fictitious names were voted. While
1t Is practically impossible to get the names
and find indictments against all the persons
not but feel that great carelessness. IL moth
ing more, was practiced by the authorities
in permitting these serious violations of the
law.
1t was in evidence before US that even
greater carelessneSs, and, in many in
stances. fragrant violations of the law. was
hHyc nf fhn fyr1v nd o1I
of the election in connection with the re-
vision Of the registration lists, which were
held at the precinct booths on the 10th day
The law provides that the clerks shall can
vass together each election precinct. each
clerk having copy, of the list of the orig
election. sitting as a Board of Revision, the
names of all persons not found in their re-
ef a Ss, who do no
not not sASs Be stricken from the the regis.
|! nave not performed their duty. and in many
| others the judges have refused to make the
! erasures and corrections that were found
| lists of illegal, voters. In every such case
! where the evidence was found sufficient we
have found indictments for neglect of duty.
! There is evidence of a number of cases Of
| incompetence on the part of precinct elec-
! ton officers. which should. and we believe
| could, be avoided. If an honest effort were
| maze Dy all DOiliCdl paTtleS 10 appoint only
| qualified persons TO serve as precinct eec-
| ton officers.
| Illegal Voting.
| From the evidence presented to US. we
| believe there is a well organized band Of
| men, mostly those known as police char
! acters with many aliases. without home
! or permanent place of abode, who system
! aticaly vote on fictitious names, that are
(, on the registration lists. These men, we
| believe, are led and directed by trusted
| Iieutenants of certain prominent politicians
| who are more culpable than the real per-
/ petrators of these crimes against the sane
! tity OF the ballot. We made great effort to
! get specific evidence against these Illegal
| voters. and present indictments against
| them, but owing to their many aliases and
| migratory natures, our efforts were re-
| warded In but few cases.
ers and instigators of these crimes as most
culpable. We endeayored to obtain the eyt-