The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-05-29

Charles L. Geraghty. member of the
| House of Delegates from the Twenty
! seventh Ward, and Louis Schneli of the
| City Council were arrested yesterday after
| noon on bench warrants from the Grand
Jury charging them with malfeasance in
| Office.
| Charles F. Kelly. former Speaker OF the
| House of Delegates, for whom a bench
| warrant charging misconduct in office wa
| issued Tuesday afternoon, surrendered at
the Four Courts yesterday morning. Kelly,
| Schnell and Geraghty were released on 5000
| bond each
Misconduct or malfeasance in office is a
misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not
more than $1,000 and by Imprisonment in
the city jail not more than one year, or by
| both such fine and imprisonment Convic-
ton of the charge dsqualifes person
from ever holding public Office again. If
indictments are returned they will be GER
| tilted over to the Court of Criminal Cor
rection for trial.
Schnell is charged with obtaining con-
tracts from the city to furnish foodstuffs.
through the South Side Supply Company. in
violation of the city ordinances which pro-
vide that no municipal official shall receive
contract from the city. and that no con-
which a city official is interested
Geraghty Is said to have rented horses
and carriages to the city and collected for
them under the name of the John E. Muir
ply Undertaking Company. Kelly is charged
with accepting contracts for printing in the
| name of fictitious concern.
KELLY SAYS HE
WAS NOT HIDING.
Kelly surrendered at the Four Courts
at 10 a. m. yesterday to answer the charge
in the bench warrant. Deputy Sheriffs had
been searching for him all night without
avail. but Kelly professed surprise that
they had been looking for him. Judge
Douglas fixed his bail at 5000 and the
bond was signed by J. E. Morische. a gro
Ger at Twentieth street and Cass avenue.
Il don't care to talk about my case" said
he. I've nothing to say, except that l
did not hide last night" All inquiries as
to where he spent the night and why he did
not attend the meeting of the House OF
Delegates brought no response.
At 3 o'clock yesterday afternoon the
Grand Jury ordered bench warrants for the
arrest Of Schnell and Geraghty. Judge
Douglas issued the warrants and they were
turned over Immediately to Deputy Sher-
ifs for service.
SCHNELL EXPRESSES HIS
INDIGNATION AT ARREST.
Deputy Sheriff Nickel found Schnell be-
hind the counter in his grocery at No. 1874
Chouteau avenue. He became indignant
when told he was under arrest. He de-
clared he could not leave his store. but
Nickel argued that 1t was better to come
away then when bond could be accepted
than to wait until the Judges were gone
home. Schnell then telephoned Fred Her
kert Of No. 1923 Copelin avenue to ask him
to sign the bond.
Herkert met Schnell and the deputy at
the Four Courts. Herkert qualified for $780,
CO., The bond which he signed was for
5000. When 1t was signed the two started
away from the building. Schnell was asked
by a reporter If he had any statement to
make. He turned sharply about, said mo-
emphatically and walked hurriedly down
the stairway.
Judge William NJ. Kinsey. Schnelrs at
torney. said he could make no statement
till he had seen the Indictment Miss
Schnell. a daughter of Louis Schnell, was a
witness before the Grand Jury yesterday
morning. Judge Kinsey accompanied her at
her fathers reuest as she had never been to
the Four Courts before and knew nothing
of the procedure. She is treasurer Of the
South Side Supply Company.
GERAGHTY AND KELLY
APPEARED TOGETHER.
Shortly after Schnelrs departure Geragh-
ty. in company with Judge Patrick Kane
and Charles F. Kelly. walked into the
Sheriffs office. Deputy Sheriff Tom Stanton
was out with the bench warrant. but Ger
agility had heard it was issued and fastened
to give bord. Chief Deputy Sheriff Shee-
han. accompanied them to the clerks Of
flee. where Judge Kane made out his quail
fications for 100000. Geraghtys bond also
was 5000. 1t was signed by Judge Kane