The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-10-06
DOODLER CONFESSES
Ex-Speaker of st. Louis House OF
Delegates Tells of Combine.
HE WAS PROMISED IMMUNITY
Prominent Politician Said Next Circuit
Attorney Would Be "AII Right" and
He Would Secure For Them Either

Attorney Would Be "AII Right" and
He Would Secure For Them Either
Continuances Or Psrdons,
ST. Louis. Oct in a written con-
fession. Charles r, Kelly. speaker oi
the house Of delegates during a period
In the life of the doodle" combine. re-
lates the history OF that combine. He
declares that II prominent local pollu-
clan promised that the next circuit at
torney would be "all right" and If they
would remain firm he would secure l0r
them either cOntinusnces or pardons-
lie declares the politician said the
new circuit attorney, for which once
nominations are to be made by the
Democrats. would be his man"
Kelly declares he refused this oher.
and that he makes this confession 20
satisfy the pangs Of an accusing con-
science. 10 obey the requests OF his
wife. and 10 do what he can to make
atonomcnt 10 the public and prevent
other young men to go the path which
he declares led him 10 ruin.
In his confession Kelly gives details
of the city lighting deal. for which nc
SAYS a Doodle of S47500 was divided
between the 10 members OF the com
bno. Kelly says
IL know from my own knowledge
and from the statements made to me
by those on the inside that bribery has
been going on in the municipal assem-
bly of st. Louis fOT the past % years.
when the present prosecutor lF0l6l
commenced his war on rs we tried TO
intimidate him by threats Of assassi-
nation. and when this had no effect we
laid an sorts or traps for him without
success.
We had a fixed schedule of prices
for various bills. according to the value
OF the franchises or privileges given
We hardly ever received less than
$1,000 for the combined vote. We con-
sidered it beneath our dignity 10 take
less than that on one or two occa'
slons. though, We eOt as low as 81.
each for our votes. and some OF the
bows took s. each. but were ashamed
Of IL because the price was so small.
"Our combine was not along party
lines. Both Democrats and Republi
cans belonged 10 IT, My experience
has been that b00dlers line up accord
inr 10 their own interests and not I'M
der party standards Democrats and
/ Republicans in St Louis usually nom
mate men 10 20 10 the house OF deie-
gates for the money they can make out
OF IL. Each party man votes for mis-
own follow. and either one that gets
in serves those who rob the city Of
franchises believe this has been tol
Grated i'm St. Louis because so many ol
the large corporations Of the city are
| mixed mp in bOOdling one way or an
other. The heads of these corporation.
used 70 think It less trouble TO buy
what they wanted than 10 elect honest
men to the house OF delegates.
There are many other things | can
and will tell later on. but this will dc
now This, in brief is my story and
the confession OF my infamy- | believe
though. that II the people Of ST Louis
allow this man IA prominent politician
Is namedj 10 20 on and control both
political parties and put his men III
office. the public will be just as guiit'
as | am today. Such Is in hold on the
community, though. il seems helpless
II | knew anything / could do that
have not done, to arouse the people oi
this city. and the people OF this state
to the necessity OF putting a stop 70
corruption. | would gladly do II"