davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-01-28
THREE ARRESTS FOLLOW GRAND JURY'S
INVESTIGATION OF BRIBERY CHARGES.


dollars ESQ., 900. said Philip Stock retaining
one key and said John G. Brinkmeyer. rep
resenting said Charles Kratz. member of
the City Council as aforesaid. retaining the
other key. The agreement being that upon
said bill being passed by the said City Coun-
Gil and Municipal Assembly and signed by
the Mayor. said sum was to be turned over
to said John G. Brinkmeyer as agent of
said Charles kratz representing other men,
bers of the said City Council.
1T is further represented to the court
these facts having appeared in evidence be-
fore the Grand Jury, the Circuit Attorney
and committee from said Grand Jury vis-
ited said Lincoln Trust Company. and, up
on the demand of the Circuit Attorney and
by authority OF law, said box No. 132 was
opened IN the presence Of said committee
from the Grand Jury. the Circuit Attorney
and was found to contain the sum OF SIS, 900:
that the officials of the said Lincoln Trust
Company agreed to hold said box subject
to the orders of said Grand Jury. Circuit
Attorney and this court: that said COM
mittee and the Circuit Attorney thereupon
visited the Mississippi Valley Trust Com
pany. and upon the order Of the Circuit
Attorney and by authority Of law box R.
3S5 at the Mississippi Valley Trust Company
was opened in the presence of the officials
OF the Mississippi Valley Trust Company
and members OF the Grand Jury and Circuit
Attorney and found to contain the sum OF
$4,000 as aforesaid: that the officials Of the
said Mississippi Valley Trust Company re-
fused and declined to hold said box subject
to the orders Of said Grand Jury and of
this court.
THE Circuit Attorney now represents to
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-01-28

the court that It is necessary for the proper
and effective prosecution of felony charges
growing out of the above facts that said
boxes and their contents be preserved and
remain intact until the trial of such tndict-
ments as may be found by the Grand Jury
under the above facts in order that said
boxes and their contents may be produced
at said trial; that said boxes and their con-
tents constitute important evidence IN prov
ing the commission of the felonies NEIL
toned above. and the Circuit Attorney
prayS that an order of this court issue
against said Lincoln Trust Company. cor
poration, requiring said Lincoln Trust Com
pany to hold said lock box No. 132, with
contents thereof without being disturbed
subject to the order Of this honorable court
and that same may be produced at the triai
under such indictments as may be found,
and that an order of this court ISSUE
against the Mississippi Valley Trust Com
pany, a corporation. requiring said Missis-
sippi Valley Trust Company, its officials,
agents or employees to keep and hold said
lock box No. R, 365 intact, subject to the
orders of this court, and allow no one to
remove said box, or its contents. or talnper
Herewith in any way. except under orders
of this court. and that same may be pro-
duced as evidence In this court upon the
trial under such indictments as may be
found as aforesaid.
THE Circuit Attorney further asks Tor
such other and further orders as the court
may deem proper and necessary in the IN
tcrest of public justice and the proper en-
forcement OF the laws.
JOSEPH ". FOLK.
"Circuit Attorney. Eighth Judicial District
of Missouri"
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-01-28
RAILROAD MERGER
CASE ARGUED.
Court Takes Under Amusement
Motion to File Complaint Against
Northern Securities Company.

Washington, Jan. 27.-In the United
States Supreme Court to-day, Attorney
General Douglass of Minnesota renewed his
motion for leave to file bill Of complaint
on behalf of the State against the North
ern Securities Company In the matter Of
the merger of the Northern Pacific Rail-
road with other railroads. saying that he
had given notice to the defendants, as re-
quired by the court
Chief Justice Fuller announced that the
argument upon this motion would be heard
later in the day. as soon as the hearing in
the case under consideration could be COM
pleted.
Mr.. W. D. Guthrie. for the Northern Sc
curities Company. filed a brief with the
court, outlining that company's PROPOSE
ton.
He contended that the bill of complaint
proposed to be filed on behalf Of the State
of Minnesota does not present a contro-
versy Of a civil and judicial nature between
a State and a citizen OF another State
justifiable in this court and that no State
can call upon this court to enforce its
penal or police laws in other States. Hence,
this court is without jurisdiction.
The bill asks the Court, he said. to re-
strain by injunction a citizen of New
Jersey from doing there acts which are en-
tirely lawful according to her laws and
which are sanctioned by her statutory
policy. simply because those acts violate or
evade or tend to .circumvent the public or
penal or police laws of Minnesota, the COM
plainant. State. There is. he continued, no
suggestion that the acts complained Of are
not entirely lawful In the State Of New
Jersey or that 1t is not within the corporate
powers of the defendant corporation as an
investment company to acquire and hold
the stocks Of railway companies.
The sole ground Of complaint is the
alleged violation in New Jersey of certain
enactments contained In the statutes Of
Minnesota. Hence, he contended, that the
injunction prayed for would be nothing
more or less than an order compelling the
Securities Company to obey in New Jersey
the laws of Minnesota.
Case Taken Under Advisement.
He called attention to the fact that no
relief is sought against the Great Northern
Railway Company or the Northern Pacific
although both are corporations of the State
of Minnesota. and both. therefore. within
the jurisdiction of the courts of that State,
This was taken. he said, as a confession
that neither of the corporations had sinned
against the laws or the Constitution OF
Minnesota. He pointed out that. as neither
Of these companies is party to the suit,
no relief could be granted against them.
In conclusion. Mr.. Guthrie contended for
the continuance Of the policy which had
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-01-28

protest. principally. that induced the coun-
Gil committee on Railroads to report the
Dill without any recommendation.
Members Of the House of Delegates
awaited the bill with anxiety. After 1t was
read the first time. many Delegates eyinced
a disposition to have 1t passed as RAPIDLY
as possible Rumors were rife that an ap-
pieation would be made to the Circuit
Court to restrain the House from acting ON
the measure. These rumors reached the
House.
Probably for the purpose Of avoiding Dep
uty Shertfs. in the event that an intunc-
ton would be granted at once the House
met behind closed doors to hear the bill
read the second time. During the second
reading the door to the chamber and the
door to Clerk Judy's Office were locked.
Prior to the next meeting Judge Fisher
granted an injunction. The order of the
court was served on the Delegates in the
House chamber by Sheriff Dieckmann and
his deputies, just before the House was
called to order for the third meeting, at
which the bill could have been passed.
The case was appealed to the Missouri Su-
preme Court. No decision was rendered pn-
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-01-28
SKETCHES OF THE THREE
MEN WHO ARE INDICTED.

John K. Murrell Is member Of the firm
Of ]. p. MurrelPs Sons, undertakers. The
partnership consists Of Edward E. Murrell,
who was Speaker of the House Of Delegates
in the last session, and who is now Dele
gate from the Thirteenth Ward, and John
K. Murrell. brothers.
John K. Murrell was member Of the
House from 1895 to April, 1901. his term
having expired with the passing Of the
Ziegenhein administration. In the preced-
ing House he was chairman Of the Com
mittee on Legislation. and a member of the
Ways and Means Committee and Fire De-
partment Committee.
There was an association in the last
House known as the combine, which was
said to consist of nineteen Delegates. Mr..
Murrell generally voted with these Dele
gates.
Like Councilman Charles Kratz he was
member of the Municipal Assembly when
the Central Traction bill was passed over
the Mayors veto and when the lighting
legislation was at fever heat. Mr. Kratz
was generally deemed to be a prominent
factor in what was known as the Council
combine, which was said to comprise about
seven Counclmen. j. K. Murrell repre-
scented the Fourteenth Ward In the last
House. He lives at No. a22 South Twenty
third street.
Mr.. Kratz is a contractor. His business
Office is at No. 1896 South Broadway. He
lives at No. 1923 Ohio avenue. Mr.. Kratz
was a member of the City Council from 1887
to 1901. Recently he has been active in the
Tenth Congressional District, with a view.
1t Is said. OF opposing Congressman Bar
tholdt in the next election contest.
OF late the names of former Councilmen
Kratz and Carroll have been associated with
Colonel Ed Butler implying that the three
have been attempting to reorganize the
present House of Delegates
In the last Council Mr.. Kratz was mem
Der of the Committee on Claims and the
Committee on Engrossed and Enrolled Bills.
NJ. MeFsenburE entered the Citf Council
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-01-28
III the last House dissolved. and the bill,
died with the termination of the

til the last House dissolved. and the bill.
therefore. died with the termination of the
session.
This bill, 1t will be remembered. origin
ally contained a clause to authorize right
of-way through Forest Park from Union
boulevard southwardly. This clause was
stricken out by the Committee on Rail-
roads Of the Council The same committee
also insisted upon adding section to the
bill to prevent consolidation with any other
road. This amendment was also adopted.
The opinion Of the Sup eme Court in the
suburban case gave an important intima-
ton that has attracted but little attention
a paragraph referred. indirectly. to the de-
cision in the Central Traction case, when
the court held that President Meier Of the
Council was merely carrying out the wish
OF a majority of the Council in signing a
bill and that he could not refuse to sign
the Central Traction BILL which had been
passed by the Council.
In the Suburban opinion the court in
tfmated that the presiding officer could re-
fuse to sign a bill that had been passed.
In the Suburban case the court held that
the Municipal Assembly cannot be re-
strained from acting in Its Legislative ca
pac1ty. No opinion was rendered In regard
to the statute concerning right-of-way petit
tons. as the appeal questioned the author
ity of the Circuit Court to interfere with
the legislative body of the city
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-01-28
TRUST COMPANY OFFICIALS
KNOW NOTHING OF CASE.

Breckenridge Jones of the Mississippi
Valley Trust Company. in the safe deposit
vaults of which institution the money in
tended for the Council was deposited. was
seen last night just as he was boarding a
Louisville and Nashville train for Frank
fort, KY, where he will join the Kentucky
Worlds Fair delegation. He stated that
he knew nothing about the bribery case.
''If the money was deposited in our
vaults, 1T was in a lock box rented for pri-
vate purposes. The company in renting its
safe deposit boxes does not ask the renter
what he is going to put into it. Money
for a dozen bribery schemes might be de-
posted in our vaults without our having
any idea of 1t. OF the specific instance
which you mention am free to say l know
absolutely nothing. and am confident no
other official or employe OF the company
does"
officers of the Lincoln Trust Company re-
fused to give any information regarding
the safe-deposit box containing the bribery
money said to be in its vaults. In reply
to a query on the subject, an official said
that matters of that nature were conf
Dental. When asked If there really was
such a box. he declined to affirm or deny
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-01-28
3 . 80 80 q Q q %%<<><N
. CIRCUIT ATTORNEY FOLK .

. ON EVIDENCE ADDUCED. I
Il am glad We succeeded in un-
. earthing the evidence in this gigantic
q bribery scheme said Mr. Folk. 4
. There have been sc many charges
o OF corruption in the past. without Z
. proof. they have become to be gen. 4
y orally regarded as mere idle rumors. 4
y Developments In this investigation 4
. have shown that some of these 4
. charges are only too true. and in one q
. instance. at least. the action Of the &
. Municipal Asse mbly has over 1t the Z
. slime CT bribery. q
. 1T Is hard to believe that any 4
. law-making body. or any memter q
. thereof. could be guilty or such con- q
. duct. ard that the fountainhead of q
= our municipal laws should be so cor q
. rupted. / trust that the proceedings q
. In this matter and the publicity given .
= to 1t Will have the effect of bringing q
. about better state of affairs and Of q
. arousing the citizens of ST. Louis TO q
. the necessity of putting men In the Q
" Municipal Assembly above the taint q
Q of corrupting influences. This is but Q
. the beginning of crusade against .
. bribers and bribe takers. q
. Il shall use all the power of my Of q
. fce in ferreting out end bringing to q
. light every such instance of corrup- q
. ton that may exist. and II by SO do q
. Ing better administration of af- q
. fairs can be brought about I shall q
. feel fully repaid for my earnest en- q
= deavor to enforce the criminal laws q
. with Justice and impartiality. q
= In bringing about these startling q
. disclosures l cannot compliment too q
highly the intelligent labors Of the .
= splendid body Of men composing the q
. December GRIND Jury" q
q . q q q o q 90 q a
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-01-28
Mr.. BRINKMEYER EvADES
ALL PERTINENT QUESTIONS

John G. Brinkmeyer. president OF the
Brinkmeyer Hardware Company, and n
member OF the. Council from 1886 to 1899.
who is mentioned in the complaint, as being
the man who held the key to the safe de-
posit box representing Councilman Charles
kratz. when seen at his home at No. 2530
North Market street last night by Re-
public reporter. would neither deny nor af-
firm the charge that he was in possession
OF the key in question.
At first Mr.. Brinkmeyer said that he
knew nothing of the case beyond the fact
that he had been subpoenaed to appear be-
rore the Grand Jury as witness. He
finally admitted. however. that he knew the
circumstances Of the subooena.
Il was not served with the paper" he
said. until late this afternoon. I hur-
ried to the Four Courts at once and saw
Circuit Attorney Folk. who requested me
not to discuss the matter until after the
meeting Of the Grand Jury tomorrow"
'Is it true" he was asked. that you. rep
resenting Councilman Krarz and other
Delegates, accompanied Philip Stock to the
Mississippi Valley Trust Company, where
he placed $4,000 in safe deposit vault and
gave you one Of the keys with the under
standing that the other key was to be given
to you upon the passage OF the Suburban
bin?'
Il must refuse to answer the question"
he replied, "as the lawyers told me not to
discuss the matter
who Were the lawyers?"
'"Those in the office Of Circuit Attorney
Folk
do you deny that you know anything Of
the Transaction
II told You before that have been in
structed not to make a statement regard
ing the matter"
"will you either deny or affirm that you
had possession of the key or went to the
office of the trust company with Mr..
Stock?"
"No."
In answer to the question If he had
seen Councilman Kratz yesterday. Mr..
Brinkmeyer replied that he had not seen
him for some time. probably several
months, he said.
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-01-28
HISTORY OF SUBURBAN BILL
IN ASSEMBLY AND CIVIL COURTS.

The measure known as the Suburban
franchise and extension bill was introduced
in the City Council on October 8, 1900, by
Mr.. Carroll. by request. On October II 1t
was read the second time and was referred
to the Committee on Railroads, Of which
Mr.. Virgins was chairman.
As originally introduced. the bill con-
tained several Objectionable features. Some
OF these objections were removed by amend
ments offered by Mr.. Virgins. The bill.
with these amendments, was reported, with
out recommendation, on January Is, lSo1
That day the Council adopted the amend
ments and sent the bill to engrossment. It
was passed February l. and the same even
ing was read in the House Of Delegates the
first time.
While the bill was in the custody of
the Council Committee on Railroads, for
mer Judge Dillon and other citizens pro-
tested against its passage on the ground
that the Missouri statutes prohibited tho
granting Of rght-of-way along any street
unless the owners OF majority of proper
ty in each mile should sign petition in
favor Of the laying Of tracks. It was this
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-01-28

The $1S5,000 which was found in the safe
deposit vaults may never be claimed. In
such case the money. in all probability. will
revert to the State. Until the case Is dis
posed Of the money will be held by the
court as evidence.
In case OF conviction the Circuit Attorney
or the Attorney General would probably in
stitute proceedings Of escheat-that is, to
have the money turned into the State Treas
ury. To what use 1t would be put II 1t
were given to the State is matter Of con-
lecture only. 1t might be placed In the
general fund to be used for the current ex-
penses of government or 1t might be given
to some charitable institution.
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-01-28
LOCAL AND SUBURBAN.


fractional trouble In the Syrian colony has
caused part of the members of the new
Catholic congregation to call on the church
for a new pastor to relieve Father Neomi
Ex-Postmaster Thomas L. F'ekete is out
after the scalp of William L Rodenberg,
the Republican boss. whom. he thinks.
caused his removal
President Francis Of the Worries Fair
goes to Kentucky and Ohio capitals to ad-
dress Legislatures regarding the Exposi-
ton.
Five persons hurt IN the collision Of cars
at Eight and Pine streets.
ST. Louis fnanciers plan a trust company
on national lines.
H. H Kohlsaat says that opposition to
the postponement OF the Worlds Fair Is
purely sentimental
Serious charges have been lodged with
President Roosevelt against United States
Marshal Louis G. Bohle-
Prince Henry will remain in st. Louis
four and one-half hours, arriving at g.
m. Monday. March 3.
The Missouri Water. light and Traction
Company asks a franchise looking toward
supplying water to St. Louis County resi-
dents.
Airship inventors write from England re-
questing information on the proposed
tournament at the Worlds Fair.
William Strother, the negro patn-nouse at-
tendant who confessed to killing Millionaire
A. Deane Cooper, is indicted by the Grand
Jury on charge OF murder.
Mayor Wells begins the investigation Of
charges against Police Judge George B.
sidener.
Nephew and executor OF Christian Fritz
have a dispute over body of dead man.
George Y. Wisner OF the Commission Of
Expert Hydraulic Engineers says st. Louis
should have pure water at once, no matter
what the plan is
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-01-28
BUTLER THINKS THEY HAVE
INDICTED WRONG PERSONS.

Colonel Edward Butler. whose influence
with the late House of Delegates is said to
have been strong. said last night that the
bribery case came as fresh news to him.
"I will say this" said Colonel Butler, sit
is my opinion that they are indicting the
men on the wrong side Of the bribe. Ii one
was committed. 1t takes two parties to eff
feet a bribe and it seems to me that the
one who offers the bribe deserves as much
punishment as the man who accepts 1t. In
investigating these matters the source
should be gotten at. l certainly believe
they have gotten the wrong parties this
time"
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-01-28
MONEY, IF NOT CLAIMED,
MAY BE TAKEN BY STATE.

IT think the money will be given to the
State" said Circuit Attorney Folk yester-
day. when the criminal trial is over
think shall move that the court put the
money in the State Treasury. I hardly
think any one will claim the money. No one
seems to want it now. But It's a long way
or yet and we have to see about the pros
ecutions first. Then we shall determine
what to do with the money
II 1t Is proven that the money was placed
on deposit for an unlawful purpose. the
court will not allow it to remain In the
safe-deposit box, nor will the court return
1t to the person or persons who deposited.
In such q case the State alone can take the
money. and then only by process Of law.
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-01-28
ST. LOUIS WANTS CONVENTION.
Delegation of Missouri Grocera
Will Make Fight in Milwaukee.

REPUBLIC SPECIAL
Milwaukee. Wis. Jan. 27.-The delegation
of grocers from st. Louis to the national
convention, which opened here to-day, ar
rived with a brass band early this evening.
On the way north, however, the delega-
ton collided with the cold wave, 80 the
band was silent.
Special efforts are to be made by the st.
Louis delegation to capture the convention
for their city next year. That city win
probably have the largest delegation Of any
one city. though there Is some talk Of Z
lively scramble to be put up by other
rities. especially Cleveland. O., and Buffalo
falo.
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-01-28

In ls9s He is member of the firm of Lit
tieheio d Meysenburg, manufacturers
st ehts' with offices in the National Bank
Of Commerce building Railway supplies are
said to be one of the specalties of the
nrm, or Of at least one member Mr.. Meg
senburg lives at No. 1896 Cleveland avenue.
IN the last Council he was a member Of the
Committee on Railroads and the Committee
on Public improvements.
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-01-28
No OPPORTUNITY FOR LOSS.
Hofmeister's Accounts Believed to
Be in Good Shape.

No formal investigation of the accounts
Of William II. Hofmeister, ex-recorder of
the Legion OF Honor. who committed sui
eide. has yet been made. but it was said
yesterday by r. J. T. White. who puc-
ceeded Hofmeister. as supreme recorder.
that. as formality. the Investigation would
be made az soon as the administrator Of
Hofmetsters personal estate had been an
pointed and had qualified.
II u not believed that shortage exists.
". p. Lightholder, q member of the EY-
ecuuve Committee Of the Supreme Council.
Which COMMITTEES WIN conduct the invests
gauon. said that there was no possibility
fhe organization. 'Hofmeister handled only
checks aid Mr. Llghtholder. These were
posted the fact would show in the records
OF the minor councils He could not draw
on the account OF the Supreme Council and
supreme treasurer IN addition to his own"
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-01-28
CHARLES H. TURNER WAS
SUMMONED BY JURY.

President Charles H. Turner Of the Sub
urban Railway refused to discuss the sub
ject Of the bribery charges. He said that as
the affair had reached the Grand Jury he
did not believe It would be proper to talk
about it at the present time.
He said he had not been summoned as a
witness by the Grand Jury, and that any
thing which his company had to make pub
lie would come through Attorney John D.
johnson.
The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-01-28
ro-pAYs NEWS IN BRIEF.
BUSINESS.

Yesterdays bank clearings were $.T7s. :SS:
balances, 81, ,35S az Local discount rates
were from between "A and 5ts per cent. DO
nestle exchange was quoted as follows:
New York. 2Oc premium bid. Soc premium
asked: Chicago, par bid. 10c premium asked:
Cincinnati. Louisville and New Orleans. JOG
discount bid par asked.
Wheat closed lower at S5c a. May. Sik9
S7ihc No. red Corn closed lower at 62sc
May, $4,000 No. mixed. Oats closed At
4a4c May, 45Qf7c No. Northern.
The local market for spot cotton was
quiet and unchanged.