Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1903-09-24

spring Of 1897, it elected Henry Zieg-
enhein mayor. Under this Republi-
can-Ziegenhein administration all, or
practically all, of the corruption at
st. Louis grew up. A majority of
the municipal assembly boldly band
ed themselves together for the pur-
pose Of exacting bride money. At
the same time the representatives of
powerful corporate interests willing
ly entered into a conspiracy with
these aldermanic rogues, because the
concessions desired could be obtain
ed more cheaply by %corrupting pub
lie servants than by honestly pur-
chasing the concessions from the
municipality.
Manifestly, these conditions could
not long continue. The corruption
ists-oorporate and aldermanic-be-
came holder and holder. The citizens
of st. Louis saw rights which were
worth many thousands of dollars
given away without compensation.
They beheld with establishment the
bankruptcy of the municipal treas
ury and looked with indignation upon
conduct which each day more clear
ly demonstrated the venality, of their
municipal officials. So apparent was
this corruption, that in the elections
of the fall of 1900, and again in the
spring of 1901-the Democrats bold
ly charged that the Ziegenhein admin
istration was reeking with villainy.
And in both elections the Democracy
+was triumphant upon the issue so
made.
AS to the %Ziegenhein admintra-
ton, it is now patent that "its latter
end was worse than the first" 1t was
during this ''latter end" in the
months of October and November,
1900, that Charles H. Turner, presi-
dent of the Suburban Railway Com,
pany, entered into a corrupt scheme
with the representatives of the Alder
manic bribery combine. Pursuant to
the terms of this conspiracy $780,,
100000 was deposited in two safe de-
post vaults, to be paid when the
Aldermanic rogues should steal the
franchise which the Suburban Com
pany desired. "The Combine tried
to carry out the Infamous agree
ment, but before it could be consum'
mated the Circuit Court issued an in
junction, and prior to the dissolu
ton Of the injunction, the terms of Of
flee of the corrupt councilmen eX
pired. The ex-aldermen demanded g
part at least of the corruption fund
Turner refused to pay anything; he
stood upon his contract, and said its
conditions had not been compiled
with. The aldermen actually EN-
ployed an attorney, who seems tt
have conceived the brilliant idef
that these thieves could recover or
a "Quantum meruit."
The controversy between these
public p%lunderers over this huge cor
ruption fund of $135, 100000 waxet
fast and furious. 1t will be remember
ed that at the time this conspiracy tt
rob the city of st. Louis was enter
ed into, and the corruption none!
placed in the safe deposit box, boil
bride giver and bride taker retained
a key so that neither party coult
obtain possession of the fund with
out the concurrence of the other.
Hoping to brighten Turner into re
leasing the money one Of the GAM
gave a guarded intimation of thei
wrong doing to a newspaper. There
upon public inquiry was aroused an
fearing exposure and punishment TO
his crime, Turner consulted an EN-
nent criminal lawyer, Gov. Chas. T
johnson. Upon his advice, Turne
sought out the Circuit Attorney an
made a clean breast OF the entlr'
disgraceful transaction. FolloWlni
his confession Turner testified to tn
same facts before the st. Loui
J Grand Jury and upon this evidence
: several indictments were returned.
/ There remained however, a miss
ing link in the chain Of evidence
J which could not be supplied, unles
, the testimony Of John K. Murrel
: could be secured. Murrell was a
that time a fugitive from justice
This testimony was obtained by tn
J Post-Disptach, which, at It's own eA
: pense, located Murrell in Mexico
sent a representative there, and in
! duced him to return and testify.
Prosecutions promptly followed
!. The evidence was there, bald, naked
|. unanswerable. The press had a
ready published many Of the salien
facts. The voice of the people an
t the mandate OF the law alike demand
t ed that justice take her course.
The developments of these trial
] were startling. They showed sue
an outrageous condition as called TO
swift punishment, and those who as
sisted in bringing these rogues t
the bar Of justice are entitled to tn
thanks and commentator Of all Mis-
sourians.
Ia st. Louis there have bee
about twenty convictions. In all case
there have been, | believe, appeal:
} But four Of the appeals have ye