The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-04-19
GRAND JURY IS
PROBING CHARGES.
Nearly Fifty Witnesses Tell What
They Know of Alleged
Frauds at Election.

Nearly fifty witnesses were before tn
Grand Jury Thursday afternoon to testif,
In connection with the charges Of fraud q
the city election.
Circuit Attorney Folk has assumed per
sonal control Of the Grand Jury. with MI
Hancock's assistance. At present the jur,
is Investigating the cases presented by tn,
Citizens Committee. When they have beer
finished the Election Commissioners ofics
VIII receive consideration. it Is said.
Mr.. Folk takes the position that the Elec
ton Commissioners should investigate the
matter thoroughly themselves. and be able
to submit witnesses to the Grand jury. II
answer to the resolutions adopted by the
board he addressed the following letter
Thursday:
April 1a-James Mccanery. John NJ. Woods and
William A. Hobbs. Board Of Election Commits
sioners. City: Gentlemen-The resolution Of YOU
honorable board relating to charges OF false and
fraudulent alteration OF election returns fol
members Of the House of Delegates has been sub
mitted to the Grand Jury.
In your resolution aud communication you
specify certain charges Of forgery committee st
q time unknown BY ':parties unknown to
charges IN your official capacity. - It 10 made
your duty to do by section 80 Of the election law
Of 1se. which section covers Just such cases q
this. and provides q method Of procedure. ] sp-
pISn0p0s tnOu8ns tnot your lnvectS0tOn W00
~fruitless. q you appear to have been unable 70
locate the responsibility.
You understand, Of course, that evidence, NOT
msre charges. should be submitted to the Grand
Jury. The Grand jury ought not be compelled
70 work up evidence on charges brought before
II, for II 10 . Quasi judicial body, to hear svi-
dence and to determine whether or not the evil
dencs adduced justines Indictment and putting
Of the accused on trial
I would Be glad, thersfors. u you would fur
nish for use Of the Grand Jury the list Of wit
nesses examined by you. and the result Of your
official inquiry: also such other information a.
might be OF value. You will be asked to appear
before the Grand Jury in due time. and the
risidly. investigated and probed to the bottom.
and, II possible, the culpr1tS discovered. II sufi-
Client evidence can be obtained to warrant indict-
ment. and an indictment IL returned. the guilty
parties will Be prosecuted vigorously and relent-
lessly. no matter who they may be.
The Grand Jury Is ready to begin the hearing
Of evidence on election frauds. ] note that section
q Of the election Law Of 49,: same being section
shall be the duty Of the Election Commissioner
lenses against this act. and they shall Keep .
against persons claimed to be guilty Of the vio-
lation Of this or any law Ct the State concerning
registration and election. and when. in the judg-
ment Of such Election commissioner such Of
Tense has probably been committed. it shall be
against such persons"
You are. accordingly. invited to bring before
law that have come to your notice. supported by
evidence: Wherever. in the opinion of that body.
the evidence Is sufficient. indictments will be
found and the penalty Of the law enforced with
JOSEPH W. FOLK.
Circuit Attorney.