The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-03-16

Suppose we should adjourn. say. by the
| middle of the week" said Mr.. Conkling. Il
| wonder Il the Governor would reconvene
us?''
| observed:
There might be conditions under which
| should wish to see a part of the members
| of the Legislature reconvened. leaving out
| most of the Republicans" After a minute
pause the Governor added. with smile
| ''Of course, you all understand that remark
was made in spirit of pleasantly.
"Of course" came the chorus.
Mr. Duncan looked at his watch and OBJ
served that it was time he was on his way
to church
II am glad you go to church, Mr.. Dun
cam said the Governor. land think we
should all adjourn and go to church,
The meeting promptly adjourned.
| When Speaker Whitecotton objected to
the name of Farley of Platte being put on
the Investigating Committee he remarked
that John Flanagan and Joe Shannon
should be added Both of the latter are ac-
cused OF being the representatives of the
American Book Company at this session Of
the Assembly.
Curiously enough. John C'F1re Alarm'')
Flanagan was one of the two men who
were indicted by a regular Cole County
Grand Jury for attempted bribery in March.
1897. He and Adolph Ellsner were charged
with having attempted to bride an employe
of the Senate-Sias Carr of Montgomery
County. The legislation related to 4 bill in
which the notorious combine in the old
School Board Of ST. Louis was concerned.
The Indictment against Ellsner was dis
missed by Prosecuting Attorney F. E.
I,uckett at the July term of tho court, and
the one against Flanagan was quashed by
Judge d. W. Shackleford at the November
term. Previous to this, in the session of
1895. the Grand Jury began the investigation
Of boodling charges on the Thursday after
seventy days of the General Assembly had
passed. A few witnesses were summoned,
but no indictments returned On Saturday
an adjournment resolution was presented.
and within an hour it had passed both
branches.
CHANGE IN METHODS.
Referring to the present situation an old
official at the State Capitol said. to-day:
while I don't know anything personally
about specific cases of corruption In con-
nection with the present Legislature, yet I
have noted that lobby methods in jefferson
City have grown more bold at each session.
Believing themselves absolutely immune
from prosecution at Jefferson City, the lob
byists have had recourse to more open and
coarse work. Time was in Jefferson City
when lobby work was conducted by mas
ter hands and in great secrecy. Now 1t Is
a common sight to see notorious lobbyists
yank members Of the Legislature out Of
their seats while the Assembly is in session
and give them directions what to do. In
the natural order OF things there must
come a day of exposure and retribution.
Because nothing has been done Is no rea
son why nothing can't be done. believe
the present investigation will bear fruit,
perhaps much more than is now antici-
pated."
WORK OF LOBBY.
It Will be recalled that Representative
Oliver of Cape Girardeau charged on the
floor of the House Friday evening that he
had witnessed a lobbyist call a member Of
the House from his seat while the House
was in session. and he had also witnessed
they were in close conference. 1t was said
that Jefferson City banks have made fire.
quent large shipments of money to the banks
Of st. Louis within the past two or three
weeks. This money was in 81 900 and $500
bills. to say nothing of 800 bills.
While some wealthy firms and individuals
transact business through these banks, still
the surplus accumulation of big bills is re-
markahle. One man told the following story
to-day.
Il saw a man walk into certain bank
and ask the cashier for an exchange draft
on St. Louis for s., 500. He took a roll Of
bills out Of his pocket and counted out
twenty three 800 bills and the remainder
in bills of small denomination I do not
know whether he is a member of the Legis-
lature. but I took a good look at him and
would know him again.
p r RIYRTON