Omaha daily bee., 1902-11-14
BLAMES THE AUTHORITIES
Attorney for Harry LsviOh Makes Some
Sensational Charges in Court.
SAYS POLICE DARE NOT INVESTIGATE
Omcial Count of Vote in Marian
County shows Has
Tempered with the
Returns.
From a stan Correspondent

Prom a Stan Correspondent
DIES MONIES, Nov. 13.-(special.)-The
trial OF Harry Levich for the murder of
Isaac Finkelstein opened with a sensa-
tional statement by Attorney McHenry for
! the defense in making his opening state
ment to the jury, which was secured this
morning. McHenry declared that before
the trial was finished he would show that
the present city administration was largely
to blame for the death of Finkelstein. He
said that the present line OF attack upon
Levich had been pursued because the city
officials did not dare to pursue any other.
No investigation Of the responsibility OF
the gambling element in the city had been
made, because the city administration had
been engaged in protecting the gamblers
and city officials had received money there
for and they did not dare make an honest
effort to locate the real murderers Of
Finkelstein. It is promised that on the
part Of the defense an attempt will be
made to show that the city administration
is in league with the gamblers and other
elements Of lawlessness in the city. The
attorney for the defense in opening the
case said:
Finkelstein. It will be shown. was of a
combative temperament. He had trouble
with the chief, the mayor and others con-
nected with the city administration. For a
month or two prior to his death F1nkel-
In .Des Moines, and that the mayor and his
chief knew it, were protecting them, and
for the same. We will show you that
Finkelstein believed this; that he sought to
have the gambling houses closed; that he
served notices on them through the sheriff
and that he took other steps, which angered
the mayor, the chief Of police and the de-
notices were served by F1nkelstein on the
mayor and his chief through the sheriff on
little attention wac paid to this by the
CHIEF and the mayor. and Finkelsteln
sheriff, which resulted in the wholesale
arrest of the. gamblers, and the confsca-
ton OF their furniture; We Will show that
removal of the man who stood in their way
OF gains through gambling.
l do not say that the police department
knows who are the murderers, but 1 do
say. that they dare not pursue an investi-
g giii rsv along e. the proper 0IS ines es because 1t
of Finkelstein, and bring an accusing light
TO shine upon the city administration to
which they owe their position.
Attempted Election Frauds.
The democrats of Marion county, or some
Of them, made a bold attempt at securing
a county office by fraud. When the Board
Of Supervisors counted the vote this morn
ing it was discovered that in the case of
the county auditor instead of the repub-
lican being elected by twenty-four ma
jority the democrat had six plurality. The
board made a close investigation OF the
poll books and returns. They had been in
the hands Of the present county auditor,
@. W. Vanderwilt9h democrat, who was thus
made to appear as the successful candidate
over E. B. Ruckman. republican. A close
investigation showed that a change in the
figures had been made in the returns from
Pella of thirty votes in favor of Wander
wilt. By whom this was made nobody
seemed to know. but the board refused TO
count the vote of that precinct and declared
Ruckman elected. as it was evident a
fraud had been attempted. A change of
ten votes had also been made in the re-
turns from Otley'in the same direction. 1t
Is probable that the grand jury will mako
an Investigation OF the case. The board
declared Mccormick. democrat, elected over
Mentzer, republican. for county attorney
by six plurality, but Mentzer will contest
on the ground of frauds.
Work on the State Capitol.
The state capitol commission is engaged
In making repairs and Improvements on
the state capitol and has a large force OF
men at work. The pay roll last month
amounted to $500. The commission has
found that there is a large amount Of re-
pairing to be done on the capitol and that
this will take up about all OF the funds
which are available during the current
year. Plans are being prepared for the
new state warehouse and the commission
expects to let a contract for that work
next year. The warehouse will be used
for the storage OF the vast amount of sup
plies OF various kinds which the state
needs, especially paper and books. Moth
ing will be done at the present time on the
roof Of the capitol building.
Primary Election Proposed.
Governor Cummins has the appointment
OF a superior judge at oelwein to make
soon, under the new law, and is at work
on the recommendations for the same.
The people Of Oelwein have proposed that
they be allowed to settle the matter for
him through a primary election In the
town, but this is opposed by the leading
candidates and It is probable the governor
will make the selection In the ordinary
way. The position is an entirely new one.
The matter Of the selection of a post
master for Des Moines is as yet unde-
termined, though Congressman Hull has
been receiving large delegations for several
days and is b~eseiged by petitions.
superintendent of weights.
Prof. L. G. Weld of Iowa City was today
appointed state superintendent of weights
and measures. He has held the position
for a number OF years and has had no
opposition.
New corporations authorized: Palo Alto
Telephone company, capital $25, 200 by
George B. McCarty and others: Raven Coal
company of oskaloosa. capital $4,000, by
A. B. Little and others.
The secretary OF the State Board OF
Health reports that there is an increasing
number OF smallpox cases reported to him
from the state. but all are mild ones. There
are seven cases in Warren county in JEFF
ferson township; one case at Bonaparte,
Van Buren, county; a case at Melvin,
osceola county. and a number Of cases at
MeGregor. No deaths have been reported.
Death of a Representative.
W. X. Barker, member Of the Iowa house,
died at his home in Cresco Tuesday. Mr..
Barker represented Howard county in the
Twenty-ninth general assembly. He was a
member OF several of the leading commit
tees and took a very active part in the
affairs of the legislature. He was an able
lawyer and was a member Of the code
communication rharaaH nth the dutu 0f nuh.