The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-16
HE TELLS ALL HE KNOWS
FORMER SENATOR BUSCH, OF MIS-
souri,, IN THE CONFESSIONAL.
Admits BOodling Since 1SS9-Says He
Made About $4,000 During His
Legislative Experience.

ST. LOUIS, May 15.-Unable to bear the
strain Of mental torture which he says he
has suffered since the grand jury investi-
CATION into legislative boodling was insti-
tuted, former State Senator Fred L. Busch
went before Circuit Attorney Folk this aft
ernoon and made a complete and far-reach-
ing confession of his connection with the
corrupt deals, extending over period of
eight years. Busch's declaration involves
several men of prominence, and he names
those who have been conspicuous at the
state capital as distributors.
Later Busch was taken before the grand
jury. where he remained an hour. When
he emerged from the jury room tears were
streaming down his cheeks. With his face
buried in his handkerchief he hurried down
the steps to the Eleventh-street exit Of the
building.
II will give you until Monday to tell all
you know about boodling," was the ulti-
matum which Circuit Attorney Folk served
on the former senator the other day.
IAN right, Mr.. Folk" replied Mr.. Busch.
IT will think 1t all over. 1t has worried me
a good DEAL,
II had to do those things" said Busch,
in reciting his story to the circuit attorney.
There were circumstances that made a
fellow take money or else get the worst
of it."
Busch then went on to narrate his connec-
Iion with legislation four years ago. He
prefaced his remarks by saying that all
sorts Of money ons,, Was used at that time to
twas offered on pretty nearly everything of
Importance. The steam and street-railway
interests were always active, and their rep
resentatives paid US"
De- AHal 20
who profited handsomely from legislation
In the 1899 session, and included one or two
who are members Of the present Assembly
with Mr.. Folk. and, weeping bitterly, said
II am telling these things only to ease my
mind"
sembly, when the bill to create a school,
book commission was one of the principal
issues before the Legislature. Busch said
the school-book trust put up big fund
Il got 81 co., he said, land others got lust
as much, and some, maybe. more On one
occasion there was resolution presented
to have all bills held in committee. 1 got
$3.50 for holding up that resolution. Kill
ing bills by smothering them In committee
was very common"
II am willing to tell everything" said
he. II have bodied practically from the
first week of the 1889 session In 1897
received money for voting for the school
textbook bill. In 1899 Schweickhardt paid
me $3.50 for refusing TO call up resolution
demanding that certain bills be reported
1 got $500 for my vote on the St Louis
transit bill. / received a salary from the
lobby to take care of railroad and other
legislation. usually amounting to about
500 for the session. AS near as can figure
made about $4,000 out Of my legislative
experience. No one knows how much
suffered during the last few weeks. 1 am
sincerely sorry
This, in substance, is a part OF Busche's
written statement made TO Circuit Attor-
ney Folk He has corroborated much of
the confession by former Senator Schweick-
hardt.
The grand jury adjourned late to-day
until Monday. Because of the statute Of
limitations, which prevents prosecution
three years after the crime Ii committed
none OF the men against whom Busch testi-
fed can be indicted