The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1902-06-02
Former City Register Has Not
Been Seen Since Grand
Jury Indicted Him.
BECKER TO BE TRIED TO-DAY.
Circuit Attorney Folk Says Grand
Jury Acted Advisedly in Re
ferring to Ex-Mayor
Ziegenhein.

Former City Register Henry Besch.
against whom the April Grand Jury has re-
turned an Indictment. as exclusively an
nounced in The Republic, charging him with
official misconduct, has not returned to st.
Louis His family and friends declare that
he is on q business trip. and that he will
return when he has completed his business.
but they profess to be unable to say just
where he can be located. The Deputy Sher-
ifs who have been searching for him. the
Circuit Attorney and other Four Courts Of
flcials who are interested In learning his
whereabouts believe that he is in Mexico.
A call at his home, No. 1892 California
avenue, brought to the door girl, who said
she was the only member of the household
at home She said Mr. Besch was out of
the city, where, she did not know. and she
did not know when he would return.
Circuit Attorney Folk, discussing former
Mayor Ziegenhein's threat to institute suit
for libel against the members of the Grand
Jury which accused him in its report of
having misappropriated public funds, said
that he was not worried by the threat. and
he did not believe the Grand Jurors would
lose much sleep over II. Mr.. Ziegenhein. in
his labored explanation, he said. had mere
ly confirmed what the Grand Jury had
cHdEBeu LCpOA tLhN AC iishL e'SN PSS
lie moneys for purpose not intended by the
law. He said:
II do not wish to discuss the legal phase
of this matter at present. Generally speak
ing, however, a presentment by a Grand
Jury, within the sphere of its duties. not
prompted by malice, is privileged.
The Constitution of Missouri authorizes
and directs Grand Juries to investigate the
official acts OF all officers handling public
moneys and report the result of their in
quiries to the court.
Furthermore, the truth in cases of this
kind cannot be libelous. Teh report as to
Mr.. Ziegenhein was not made by the jury
hastily or inadvlsedly, but with full knowl-
edge of all the facts
IF he desires to test the truth of the
statements. l am sure he would crafty each
member of the jury.
I'm the action brought by the State to
recover the money, he will be given unre-
structed opportunity to be heard in court
as to the charges"
The prosecution of the men already in
dicted by the three Grand Juries will be
resumed this week. To-day the case OF
John a. Becker. Deputy Factory. charged
with attempted bribery will be called in
the Court of Criminal Correction. Becker
was a former member OF the House of Del
egates. 1t is charged that when Charles
Krats the ex-Councilman, was about to be
tried for bribery. Becker at the solicitation
of Kratz's friends, attempted TO bribe the
Jury Commissioner to fix the special
jury which had been asked for by the Cir
cult Attorney. special jury will try Beck
er's case.
The trial of Edward Butler. against whom
there are two charges pending of attempted
bribery, will come up in Judge Ryan's court
New next Thursday. June ), on motion
for a change of venue, filed by Buffers at
torneys. The defense has subpoenaed nearly
800 witnesses. and the State has nearly 30.
so that it ics expected the hearing on the
motion will occupy nearly a week.
The case of r. NJ. Snyder, the Kansas
City promoter. capitalist and banker, in
dicted for bribery in connection with the
Central Traction franchise scandal, which
was set for trial to-day in the Criminal
Court, has been laid over until the next
term of court