The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-05
Convicted OF Bribery and the Punish-
ment Fixed at Five Years I'm the
PeniteRtiary Of the State.
BOND GIVEN FOR AN APPEAL
HEARING SET FOR NEXT COURT
TERM, TO OPEN MONDAY.
Free for the Time Being-Prosecutor
of the Case Well Satisfied with the
Result of the Trial.

ST. LOUIS, Oct. 4.-Robert Mcclure Sny-
der was convicted of bribery in the Grim
inal Court tonight, and was sentenced to
five years Imprisonment in the State peni-
tertiary after the jury had considered for
fifty minutes its verdict on the case, which
had occupied an entire week in presenta-
ton. The jurors had retired after almost
four hours OF arguments by the attorneys
for the defense and the State.
No bondsmen were present when Sny-
der's conviction was announced. the de-
Tense apparently having been confident that
it's testimony concerning Snyder's residence
in Kansas City would convince the jury
that he was entitled to the benefits of the
statute Of limitation. The Incarceration
of the convicted man seemed to be immi-
nent when two of his attorneys. Judge
Henry S. Priest and Morton Jourdan,
signed his appeal bond for $4,000. securing
his release until the term of court begin
ming on Monday. Early in this term Sny-
der will be sentenced and motions for ap-
peal and new trial filed.
The close of the trial was marked by In
cidents of no less absorbing interest than
those of Thursday when the story Of Sny-
der's colossal Doodle transactions and
wholesale purchases of councilmen was re-
vealed on the witness stand During the
final pleading of the case the courtroom
overfowed with spectators During the
speech of Judge Priest for the defense and
Circuit Attorney Folk for the State the
utmost stiffness prevailed. Especially did
all references to the crime of bribery hold
the interest of the auditors.
During the jurys hour OF absence the
crowd grew greater and betting pools were
formed by speculative persons In the cor
ridors. The most favorable prediction made
Many believed that the defense had shown
facts in the matter of residence which
would convince some, at least, of the jury
that Snyder is and has been resident of
Kansas City.
In the whirl of the current of intense
interest which resolved around him, Sny-
der sat apparently immObile. When the
verdict was read hardly an instant's
change In his expression could be noted.
He watched the jurors they pressed
their way through the almost unyieiding
crowd. AS Foreman Charles w. Wall
ward, intently listening. "Guilty-Five
years. were the words which stood out
from the formal language of the foreman's
report in the hearing Of Snyder and of the
throng gathered to learn his fate.
The convicted man shifted in his chair
and sat motionless while congratulating
hands were extended past him to grasp
Few of the assemblage in the courtroom
left until 1t had been definitely learned
that Snyder would not pass the night in
Jail. Then the courtroom was abandoned
and Snyder, free for the time being, left,
accompanied by his attorneys.
The conviction of Snyder followed a long
course of testimony and controversy which
had nothing TO do with the main charge OF
bribery, but everything to do in determine
ing his liability to punishment.
Circuit Attorney Joseph w. Folk, through
whose efforts Snyder was brought to JUS
tice, made the following statement tonight
regarding the verdict:
Naturally / am well pleased with the
verdict of the jury. 1 believe 1T was abso-
lutely in accordance with the law and the
facts. There was not the slightest doubt
on my part of the defendants guilt. But
whether the jury declared him innocent or
guilty the State was entirely satisfied with
the facts as presented We neglected, / be-
lieve, point which it was necessary to
bring out From the start we were conf
dent of our contention and the result justi-
fies our sanguine beliefs The case has
served not only as an object lesson to 9TH
ers who would prostitute their positions of
public trust but furnishes the people with
an insight into the methods of the bribe-
giver and the bribe-taker, and from that
standpoint alone the trial was fruitful of
much good"