Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1901-12-13
SALISBURY CONVICTED.
Rapids In Found Guilty of
bribery.

hIdHu hdpiuSi btt. - ne jury III
the bribery case against City Attorney
Lent X. Salisbury returned a verdict OF
guilty, after celebrating all night.
Salisbury was indicted by the grand
jury last summer on the charge of ac-
cepting a bride Of ST., 900 for his assist
ance in pushing through deal by
which the city Of Grand Rapids-was 10
award 10 eastern capitalists a 81 ,000,0 600
contract for furnishing the city with
water from Lake Michigan. 1t is said
- ballots were taken by the jurors, and
the first resulted i'm ten for conviction.
a stay Of proceedings for ten days was
granted TO give the defense time 10
take steps TO carry the case 10 the SUI
preme court. Bail was fixed at $4,000,
double the former bond. Salisbury was
released from custody on a bond with
six sureties.
The verdict was a crushing blow for
State Senator George f.. Nichols. Of
lonia. Of counsel for the defense, cited
for contempt for an alleged attempt to
bride the peoples witnesses. II was
made more so by the decision OF Judge
Newman denying the motion to
quash the contempt proceedings. filed
immediatel after the verdict was rem
dered in the Salisbury case. The de-
cision also directs the prosecuting at
torney 10 inform against the respond
ent on the charge Of Subornation Of
perjury, and Mr.. Nichols will be re-
CURED to face a jury.
The case was on trial formore than
six weeks. and attracted wide atten-
tion on account Of the large amount Of
money and the prominence of the per-
sons involved. The specific charge on
which Salisbury was tried was that he
received $4,000. furnished by Henry
\. Taylor, a NeW York capitalist,
through S. V. Macleod, Of this city,
who was made custodian OF the fund,
for the purpose Of bribing city officials
To enter into the $40OO,00O water sup
ply contract.
Taylor. Macleod. and Attorneys T
F. McGarry and G. II. Albers. Of this
city. are also under indictments in con-
ncction with the deal. The peoples
strongest evidence was furnished by
r. II. Garman. a promoter, and his
special agent, r. \. Cameron, princi-
pally through whom the deal was
broueht 70 light i was shown that
100000 was brought 10 the city from
the east. The prosecution undertook
10 prove that the greater part Of this
fund was paid into the hands OF SAILS
bury. Taylor SWore that he received
all Of the money back excepting GER
tain fee paid 10 McGarry as an attor-
ney fee.
Judge Alfred Wolcott charged the
jury that it was necessary, in order to
convict. 10 find beyond a reasonable
doubt that an agreement was actually
made with Salisbury and that Salisbury
received the $4,000 from Macleod. as
specifically charged in the Indictment.
The case was a remarkable one, in
volving not only the direct charge upon
which Salisbury was tried, but also the
indictment Of Salisbury i'm Chicago last
February on charge Of making away
with $4,000 furnished him by X. c.
Barton. Of Omaha, to secure the water
contract. The Chicago case was sensa-
tioual and mysterious. perpleXing the
authorities for several days. At first
the man involved was not known 10 be
as important person as the city attor-
ncy of Grand Rapids After Salsbury's
settlement with Barton he was reflect
ed city attorney by he councilmen Of
Grand Rapids. although a majority Of
the aldermen were OF an opposite po-
'itical faith TO the accused man. This
fact led to serious charges and finally
the trial Of Salisbury.
Salisbury has resigned as city attor-
which he says he has sought 10 serve
with faithfulness and ability the peo-
pie of Grand Rapids and now keeps his
pledge. made public i'm the council sew
eral months AGO. that if ever found
guilty by jury Of any crime charged
he would resign as city attorney. Then
h. says: entirely innocent when the
pledge was made and entirely inno-
cent now Of any crime or intent Of
crime against the city Of Grand Rap
ids or any citizen thereof, nevertheless
I keep my promise. as ! ever seek TO
keep all promises made by me. Thus.
though unjustly charged, and though
for a time resting under the awful re
suits Of an uniustifable verdict. Ire
deem the solemn pledge made when no
idea or supposition entered my mind
that any occasion would ever arise 10
call on me for this action" Tie says in
closing that he is certain the future
will right his wrongs.