The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-04-06
CITY LOOTED BY THE MEN
ELECTED To THE COUNCIL
ST. Louis Suffers From Ten Years of Systematic
Robbery and SpoiIation
Predatory Aldermen Who Boosted They Made $4,000 Year Out
Of Illegal Perqusss.

to do for $4,000 One legislator re-
eeiVed in cash at his own residence the
sum Of $4,000 for his vote on a pend
ing measure. This was retained by
him for a few days, then returned in
the hope Of receiving a larger sum. The
measure was enacted and the member.
after much delay, was finally compelled
to accept $500 in fun for his vote on the
franchise bill.
Convincing documentary evidence
was unearthed proving that the sum Of
$4,000 was placed in escrow in a bank
Of St Louis on the passage OF a valu-
able franchise ordinance This ordi-
nance failed and a second bill was in
troduced, upon the passage Of which
the sum of about $3.50 900 was dfstrib-
uted among those members.
After the passage Of this ordinance
the franchise was sold for St,25o.G0
The city realized nothing whatever for
this franchise. In these matters the
statute of limitation was a bar 10 the
hnding Of indictments against nearly
all Of the guilty parties.
The more recent attempt of a street
railway company to secure a franchise
has been cOnspiCUOusly brought 20 pub
lie notice through proceedings in the
criminal courts. In this case an agree
ment was made between the legislative
/ agent Of the company and the repre-
sentatives Of the combines in both
branches Of the municipal assembly By
the terms Of which $4,000 was to be
paid to certain members Of the house
/ Of delegates and $4,000 TO certain mem
bers Of the council in consideration Of
such members voting for the proposed
measure.
Boxes Full Of Money.
The first named amount was depos-
/ tied in cash in a safe deposit box in
/ trust company and the $50 600 was like
/ wise deposited in another trust COM
[ pany. Two keys to each box were is
sued, the one being held By the legis-
/ latiye agent Of the company, the other
/ by the Corrupting agent Of the mem
/ bers Of the municipal assembly.
Through the action Of the courts
I the passage Of the ordinance was pre-
/ vented. The S135.000 corruption fund
was demanded by the legislators. under
the claim that they had done their
/ duty, all they had agreed TO DO, but the
/ company refused 10 honor thelr claims.
''I9le evidence shcws US That there
are In this city men OF seeming great
responsibility, directors in large COR
and social circles, who have not hesi-
tated to put up money for the purpose
Of bribing through the assembly meas
uTes in which they were interested.
When called before our body some
have added to the Offense of bribery
the crimes Of perjury, and only es-
capped the ignOminy attaching to their
infamous conduct by reason Of the fact
that the evidence, though satisfying
our minds, would not be admissible ia
the trial courts. While legal evidence
may be lacking to bring upon them
the penalty for their acts, yet they are
morally convicted and damned by their
connection with such debauchery.
Some Of these are as guilty as those
against whom indictments have been
returned, the only difference being that
they have been more successful IN COW
ering their tracks