The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-01
Such Is the View of the Grand Jury
which Has Been Investigating
Charges of Bribery.
FOUR INDICTMENTS RETURNED
sCATIHNG ARRANGEMENT OF FOR
MER MUNICIPAL OFFICIALS.
Alleged to Have Waxcd Fat by Max
ing Public Office a Private Snap
-COunciImen Corrupt.

ST. LOUIS. May 31-The April grand
jury. which has been investigating muni-
cipal corruption, made final report to-day
to Judge w. p. Douglas. In it's report the
grand jury compliments Circuit Attorney
John w. Folk and Assistant Circuit Attor-
ney w. Scott Hancock for the manner in
which they are discharging their duties
in connection with the municipal investiga-
tion and the prosecution of those indicted
Indictments against the following, who had
already been arrested on bench warrants
and released on bond, were made public
this afternoon: Fred w. Zeigenhein, secre-
tary TO former Mayor Zeigenhen, charged
in five counts with bribery and obtaining
money under false pretenses; Charles f.
Kelley, ex-speaker of the House of Dele
gates; Delegate Charles T. Geraghty and
Councilman Louis Schnen, charged with
misdemeanor in Office. In its report the
grand jury says:
while there may have been corruption
I'm other cities as great as we have had
here, yet in no place in the world and In no
time known to history has so much Off
cial corruption been uncovered and the
evidence shown so that all could and
understand. These revelations have been
so appalling as to be almost beyond belief
and IL will be years before the extent OF
IF the affairs OF St. Louis had been
properly administered for the past fifteen
years and If all officials had been honest
there would to-day be enough money in the
treasury to put public buildings in repair
pave streets that are now unpaved, make
sewers that are now unmade and build
new buildings so much needed. The high
tax rate, the deplorable condition of pub
lie institutions, the depleted state Of the
city treasury are heritage left by off,
Gals who have proven traitors TO the in
- % hn 10 h. 10
ficked in their votes, influence and official
actions TO the city's detriment. These dis
closures make it plain that the taxpayers
have been mercilessly outraged for years /;
that the money they have paid in taxes has
been squandered instead of being used for
the public welfare; IL has been feloniousy
dissipated and benefited chiefly corrupt
officials who have grown opulent on small
salaries.
1T is in evidence before us that a former
collector of the city OF St Louis. who was
afterwards mayor OF st. Louis, received
interest on public money. The interest so
received was over $4,000. which. with in
terest to date, would amount to $4,000.
Any possible criminal charge arrived out
of this condition has been barred by the
statute OF limitation. which is three years.
A civil action 10 recover the money, how
ever. can be still brought and IL is believed
ii may be instituted. The son of the late
mayor made a practice of selling permits
and of eNtorting money for remittanccs Of
fines in criminal cases. The charter of the
sembly or city official shall be interest led,
directly or indirectly, in city contracts or
In furnishing supplies TO the city. This
beneficent law is. we find, most grossly
violated by members of the Municipal As
sembly."
In the report reference was made to the
gigantic street-railway franchise bribery
scheme uncovered by the previous grand
Jury. through which almost s400.0 600 was put
up by two railroad companies TO secure the
passage of bills giving valuable franchises.
q. ~. f,afa mo "a 81
was divided among the combine" members
of the municipal assembly.
In respect 10 the other fund the report
said: by prompt and energetic action the
corruntion fund of $685. 600 was caught be-
tween the lines and is now held subject to
the orders OF court as evidence. num-
ber of indictments grew out Of this at
tempted purchase OF a franchise. Two of
the defendants have become fugitives from
Justice forfeiting large bonds. and are now
exiled in foreign land. Two others have
been brought to trial each case resulting
In a conviction. one being given three years
in the penitentiary and the other two years.
Another of the defendants is still at large
in an alien country. where, from present
indication, he will abide for a while In
the trials the bribe money was produced
I'm court. leaving no doubt as TO the shock
ing and startling official debauchery that
has beer going on.
Members OF the municipal assembly have
come before our body and brazenly ad-
mitted that they sought seats in the as
sembly Tor the money they could make
selling their votes, and IL is apparent that
this spirit has governed for years and no
bin OF consequence has passed unless money
has been paid TO secure favorable action.
We have carried the Investigation on. and
although we were prepared TO some extent
by what has transpired to hear of official
misdoings we have been amazed at the
vastness OF corruption that has been COM
mon among members Of the assembly and
other officials of our city. Ii seems TO have
been the highest aims OF officials 10 rob