Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1902-06-01
GRAND JURY AMAZED At AsTNEss
Public Servants Are Skilled in Misuse Of
the Peoples Money,
RAW PRIVATE INTEREST ON CITY FUNDS
Men Traffic in Votes as Avowed Means Of
Making Livelihood,
WILL IAKE YEARS TO GET WHOLE TRUTH
Among Those Indicted IL SON of Ex-
Mayor, Accused OF Bribery and
other Crimes on Five
Counts.

Counts.
ST. LOUIS, May s1.--The most extensive
and evident municipal corruption ever
brought to light anywhere or any time is
that which has been practicod for years In
this city, according TO the report of the
April grand Jury just filed with Judge w.
b. Douglas as the result OF its prolonged
and laborious Investigation OF the charges
Of fraud made some time ago.
In its report the grand jury says too
much credit cannot be given to the circuit
attorney. Joseph w. Folk, and the assist
ant circuit attorney, w. Scott Hancock, for
the fearless, intelligent and untiring man
ner in which they are discharging their
duties in connection with the municipal in
vestigation and the prosecution OF those in
dicted. Indictments against the following,
who had already been arrested on bench
warrants and released on bonds, were made
public this afternoon:
Fred w. Ziegenheim, secretary to former
Mayor Ziegenheim, charged in five counts
with bribery and obtaining money under
false pretenses; Charles f. Kelly, ex-
speaker of the house of delegates; Dele
gate Charles L. Geregahty and Councilman
Louis schnell, charged with misdemeanor
in ONCE.
Worst Record.
The report say that while there may
have been corruption in other cities as
great as we have had here, yet In no place
in the world and in no time known to his
tory, has so much official corruption been
uncovered and the evidence shown so that
all could see and understand. These reve-
| lations have been so appalling as to be a.
most beyond belief and it will be years be-
fore the extent of the discoveries are fully
| realized"
'If the affairs of ST. Louis had been
properly administered for the last fifteen
| years and IL all officials had been honest
there would today 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 much needed. The high tax
/ rate, the deplorable condition OF public
| institutions. the depleted state of the city
| treasury are an heritage left by officials
| who have proven traitors to the interests
Of the people and have traficked in their
| votes, influence and Official actions, to the
| city's detriment.
| These disclosures make plain that the
taxpayers OF st. Louis have been merci-
| lessly and pitilessly outraged for years
that the money they have paid in taxes
| has been squandered; instead OF being
used for the public welfare it has been
feloniously dissipated and benefited chiefly
| corrupt officials, who have grown opulent
on small salaries.
Private Interest on Public Funds.
at is in evidence before us that former
| collector of the city OF st. Louis, who was
afterward mayor, received interest on pub
lie funds for his own private account. The
sum so received was something over $4,000,
which, with interest to date, would amount
to about $4,000. Any possible criminal
| charge arising out Of this conduct has been
barred by the statute of Limitation. which.
unfortunately, is three years A civil ac-
tion to recover the money, however, can
still be brought and we understand will be
instituted.
THE secretary of the late mayor made a
practice of selling permits and OF extorting
money for remittances of fines In criminal
| cases.
"The charter of the city provides that no
member Of the assembly. or city oficial.
shall be interested directly or indirectly In
city contracts. or in furnishing supplies to
the city. This benehcent law is. we find,
most grossly violated by members of the
municipal assembly"
In the report reference was made to the
gigantic street railway franchise bribery
scheme uncovered by the previous grand
jury, through which almost s4OO,O 900 was
put up by two railroad companies to Sc
cure the passage OF bills giving valuable
franchises. In one instance the report said
900 was divided among the Combine"
members of the municipal assembly. In
respect to the other fund the report says:
Caught between Lines.
BY prompt and energetic action the cor
ruption fund of Sls5,6OO was caught be-
tween the lines and is now held subject to
ber of indictments grew out OF this at
tempted purchase Of franchise.
g.tives from justice, forfeiting large bonds,
and are now exiled In a foreign land. Two
others have. been brought to trial, each
given three years in the penitentiary and
the other two years. Another of the de-
PENDANTS is sun at large In an alien coun.
try, where from present indications he will
abide for while.
The bribe money was produced in the
1 and offcial debauchery that has been going
on. Members OF the municipal assembly
admitted that they sought seats in the as
sembly for the money they could make
this spirit has governed for years and no
bill of consequence has passed unless
money has been paid 20 secure favorable
Amazed at Vastness.
We have carried the investigation on
Extent ext, by What has trahspiPed TO near sPinS of
official nisdoings. we have been amazed
at the vastness OF corruption that has
| been common among members OF the as
| sembly and other officials OF our city.
II seems 10 have been the highest aim
of some officials 10 rob the city whenever
opportunity offered
They have regarded the holding OF once
merely as means of making a Livelihood
easier than they could in private life and
have administered the trust reposed in
them for private gain and not for public
| good.
We have spent considerable time look
; ing into the workings Of the police depart
ment and its methods OF procedure We
hnd that the personnel Of the force is
good and the appearance and executive
capacity OF the men deserve favorable
. / rn