The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1903-09-24
DOODLE REVELATIONS AT JET.
FERSoN CITY.

At the last session of the General
Assembly bitter controversy oc.
cured over the effort to pass the
DAVIDSON text book bill providing for
the re'lctting of the contract for
furnishing school books. During the
progress of this controversy a mum.
Der of Democrats refused to act with
the Democratic caucus, and it was
alleged were acting with the Repub,
lican minority. This engendered
much feeling. and some suspicion.
Finally, the speaker-Mr. Whitecot-
ton-openly charged that corrupt
methods were being employed. This
led to an investigation by a commit
tee of the House. and finally to the
converting of a special Grand Jury in
Cole county, by Democratic Circuit
Judge, James f. Hazel. This action
understand was requested by Gov
ernor Dockery. In any event it
stands as a fact that the Governor
had been earnestly endeavoring to
secure tangible evidence OF the al.
legged corruption. AS soon as the
Grand Jury was called the Cover.
nor directed the Attorney General
to assist in the investigation. This
request of the Governor was con-
Cured in by the Democratic Prose-
cutting Attorney of Cole County. AS
soon as these steps had been taken,
John A. Lee-the Lieutenant Cover
nor, made confession to Attorney
General Edward c. Grow. And it is
upon this confession that all of the
! indictments thereafter found against
State Senators, except that against
Senator Sullivan, are based
II Is plain then that the credit
for what has been accomplished in
ferreting out corruption at the Cap
itol must be given to the Democratic
officials at Jefferson City. As re-
suit of their lahnrs, indictments Aha+e
been returned against four State
Senator's. What Lees confession con-
tanned, or what other evidence was
adduced before the Grand Jury of
Cole County, is very largely a mat
ter of inference, because the Attor-
ney General and the Prosecuting At
torney of Cole County have very
properly refused to make public the
proceedings of the Grand Jury.
What we do know is that one
Democratic Senator, and three Re-
publican Senators, have been in
dicted. And that of the latter, Sen
ator Sullivan, has been tried and
convicted of soliciting a bride.
Following, or coincident with these
proceedings, the Grand Jury at St.
Louis began investigating matters
connected with State legislation The
public, through the press, have been
served daily with accounts purport-
ing to give the complete proceedings
of the Grand Jury. Whether true
or otherwise we cannot we'll tell since
each grand juror makes solemn oath
"the counsel of the State, my fell
lows and my own to truly keep" and
the witnesses also make oath not to
directly or indirectly divulge the
testimony they may give, nor even
the subject matter under considera-
ton by the Grand Jury" We assume
that these oaths have been observed
anu HSuCC tndt luuCu Ludt
has been said may be rumor.
The Grand Jury at st. Louis, as the
result of its labors, returned two in
dictments, both against Senator Far.
ris, who had been previously indicted
in Cole County. The people of the
State have every reason to confident
ly expect that fair and impartial
trials will be promptly had.
Briefly, nineteen members Of the
Ziegenhein regime in st. Louis have
been convicted of corruption or per-
jury, thirteen Of whom are Repub-
licans and six Democrats. There are
four State Senators indicted, three
Republicans and one Democrat.
Upon this state of the case we are
gravely told that the issue is Cor.