The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-01-01
LENTZ MAKES CHARGES
ALLEGES WHOLESALE BRIBERY AND
FRAUD IN COUNT OF BALLOTS.
Thinks the Whole Power of the Adj
Him to Retire Him from Congress.

COLUMBUS, O., Dec. 31.-J. A. Lentz to-
day served formal notice on Congressman
elect Tompkins that he would contest the
latter's seat in the House. Mr. Lentz said
he would base his claim on charges of
wholesale bribery and fraud in the count
OF the ballots. In his notice of contest adj
dressed to Mr.. Tompkins Mr.. Lentz says:
81 claim and shall prove that your alleged
plurality of eighteen votes was obtained by
the bribery, debauchery and corruption OF
voters; by seducing certain students in the
various educational institutions OF the dis
trict to remain here and vote for you
without having any legal right to vote in
this district; by inducing many OF the en-
ployeS connected with the various state
institutions located in this city to remain
here and vote for you, although their vot-
ing residence was in some other district OF
the State; by importing and colonizing vot-
ers in this district for the purpose of having
them vote in your behalf and against my
self In your alleged plurality of eighteen
votes, out of a total of 81, 1872 votes cast in
the district. you are the beneficiary OF the
methods and proceedings aforesaid, as we'll
as the beneficiary of manifest errors in the
count and return of votes and divers and
sundry illegalities and Irregularities"
Mr.. Lentz then sets forth in detail the
specific grounds of contest. alleging that
"a systematic plan of campaign was pro-
jected by the Republican leaders connected
with the administration at Washington,
ing to many thousands of dollars was pro-
cured by men residing beyond the boun-
daries of this district and sent into this
district with the determination to secure
your election and compass my defeat by
bribery because certain Republican leaders
connected with the national administration
feared the effects of my exposures of the
meaning OF the Egan pardon by President
Mckinley; my exposure of President Nc
Kinley's representations as to the condi-
tions in the Philippines, of President Nc
Kinley's use of the United States army to
intimdate and destroy union labor in the
Occur d'Alene district of Idaho. and Presi-
Smith and j. c. Graham, polygamist post
| masters at Logan and Provo City,
Utah, and my criticism of President
Mckinley's ratification of the treaty per-
petuating slavery and poygamy in the
Sulu islands, part of the Philippine archi-
pelago: and my exposure of President Nc
Kinley's appointment of Rufus w. Lane as
consul to Smyrna immediately following
and In consideration of his voting for Mar
Gus a. Hanna for United States senator,
although said Rufus W. Lane was elected
to the Legislature of Ohio on the Demo-
cratic ticket; also account of my ex-
posture of President McKinleys treatment
of Secretary of State John Sherman"
Mr.. LentZ alleges that William j. Burns
assistant chief of the United States secret
service, participated in the bribing and de-
bauching of the voters Sin furtherance of
the alleged scheme to elect Tompkins. and
that he was assisted by various other
agents of the federal government" Specific
instances of bribery are alleged, but the
names or the persons alleged TO have re-
ceived the brides are not given. There are
in all twenty-nine specifications. alleging
bribery, illegal voting and other Irregular
ties