Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1908-12-05
DEAD MEN VOTE
IN CHICAGO
PRIMARY
GRAND JURY REVEALS
WHOLESALE CORRUPTION
Ejghty-0ne Indictments Re-
turned Against Alleged Law
breakers; Honest Election
Impossible.


llit tIJOOOIDIOt
IBy Morning journal Special Leased Wirsl
Chicago, Dec. 4-The ballots Of
men long residents Of other cities, OF
temporary absentees, of the insane
primary election of last August in Chi
cago. 'Repcatcrs' voted in platoonS
with the connivance of Wilfuly un.
seeing judges and clerks of election
and fraud, rampant To an extent hith-
erto unknown in a city never famous
Tor the purity of its political atmos-
phere. rendered the resultant party
nominations morally worthless.
These and other startling alIega-
tions were made today in the report
of the special grand jury. which after
several weeks of delving into charges
growing out of Chicago's first pri-
mary and returning eighty-one indict-
ments against two score or more of
politicians and others, adjourned. The
investigation, owing to physical limi-
tations merely scratched the surface
Of the situation. according to the re
there has been an honest city or gem
eral election in Chicago in years. The
findings of the inquisitorial body
characterize the primary election as
disgrace to the city. Voting ma
chimes are urgently advised as a step
in remedial direction, and a wider
application of civil service is recon-
mended. 1t is stated that while the
jury can not affirm that no frauds
We're perpetrated by civil service EN-
ployes, it is significant that the in
quisitors found none such. on the
other hand, the report marks the fact
that although the police were in the
vicinity of every, ,polling booth, the in
Vestigators received no aid from them
in seeking to fasten responsibility for
the conditions which prevailed.
Referring to the fact that Frank j.
Loesch, the special state attorney
appointed to conduct the investigation,
had been compelled by injunction to
perform his public duty without com
even drawing on his purse
for necessary expenses in one instance.
the report denounces the men respon-
sible.
Touching on conditions which have
obtained at elections, the report says:
In addition to the testimony di-
rectly bearing upon the crimes and
for which true bills
We're found, the grand jury heard
much testimony regarding the conduct
Of said primary election and also gen
eral elections, and find a deplorable
condition of affairs in certain wards.
not creditable to the officials who are
by law with the conduct of
elections and disgraceful to the city
Of Chicago, which has permitted such
election frauds to go on almost un-
until this time.
we find ana so report that no CON
'idence can be placed in the reported
results, in favor or against any can
iidate for a party nomination at the
election. and yet that cleo
ion cost the taxpayers of Chicago ful-
y $4,000.
Fraudulent registration leading to
voting, repeating by pla-
oons of men who were voted first for
me party, then for the other party
candidates at the same precinct, Vot-
ng names of absentees. non-residents,
insane and dead men, accepting false
lffidavits on behalf of the disqualified
ioters. known to the Judge to be 50:
numerous and flagrant periuries byI
1arty voters to enable them to cast il
egal votes, taking votes from non
'csident voters without affidavits in
upport of such votes: fraudulently
writing names on the poll books and
putting ballots in the boxes to COrre-
pond; keeping upon the registers
names of men who had removed from
ne respective precincts and voting
hem, voting the same name moro |
han once at the same precinct. dis
ranchising voters by permitting their |
lames to be voted by others; marking
'allots after the boxes were opened. /
voters ballots already marked !
or certain candidates. marking bal |
OTIS for voters against their wishes, |
md so putting ballots into the boxes I
voters and compelling 4
hem to vote for their candidates con
rary to their wishes: strangers and /
police officers being permitted to han
lie the ballots after the boxes were
'pencd SO as to permit of fraudulent /
marking OF ballots. were proven be- /
ore us and are by no means all Of the /
.cvices which we have reason TO be- I
.yyc were resorted to-
From the facts coming 10 our 4
we express serious doubt I
rhether there has been an honest gem /
raj or city election IA Chicago for 4
ears past
we report that in our opinion .
much Of said fraudulent voting was
one in pursuance OF general schemes I
4 corruption. the nature. character .
nd extent Of which we had not the t
imc fully % develop"
The report declares that the cleo .
ion commissioncr should exercise .
reater care IN the selection of cleo .
ion officials. In closing 10 recon- f
lends a law making compulsory the .
ervices Of voters as judges and clerks f
Z election and that general election
Inspectors provided for by law shall /
,e men Of character and standing T
ith police authority.