The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1908-12-31
PITTSBURG TAKES
LEAD FOR CRAFT
Disclosures Already Made Put
Record of San Francisco
in the Shade.

Pittsburg, Dec. 28.-Pittsburg haa
moved into first place In corruption and
municipal graft. The record OF San Fran
cisco is left far behind. FURTHERMORE. it
is stated, the sensational developments
thus far are mere preliminary ind that
subsequent proceedings against additional
councilmen and business men will startle
the whole country.
From the testimony offered IL was hint
ed that over three score counciimen are
easy to reach" with sums ranging from
500 to IS. In the passage OF one ordinance
alone 1t was testified that sixty council
men had divided $4,000. The evidence
showed that the graft system is gigantic.
The evidence was brought out In the hear
ing of the seven councilmen and two for
mer bank officials were arrested on
charges of bribery, corrupt solicitations
and conspiracy. w. w. Ramsey and Al. A.
Vilsack, former president and cashier OF
the German National bank, were first
arraigned. 1t was testified that they had
been approached by Councilman John
Klein, one of the accused, who stated the
bank would be a depository for the city's
funds IL 1t would do as other bank nave
done"
Accept $17,5oo.
After several conferences the bankers
placed SITS 0 on a table in a room OF the
bank. Councilman Klein and a compan-
ion entered the room and left II in a short
time. The bankers then visited the room
and 1t was said the money was gone. The
bankers were held in $4,000 bail each,
h seven councilmen, President Brand
and Members Klein. stoffel. WATSON. Me-
laney and Ferguson, of the common coun-
ell, and Atkinson Of the select, were then
called.
The principal witness was Robert viii
son, a private detective, employed by the
Voters league, of Pittsburg. Mr.. Wilson
testified that he engaged a room in a
local hotel n cut holes In the door and
walls of an adjoining room.
Then a series OF meetings were arr
ranged with councilmen. His assistant.
Herbert Jones. posed as a business man.
desiring certain ordinances passed, and
during his conferences with the council
men, Wilson n a photographer were
stationed in the e room making a full
record of the transactions.
Klein the Leader.
During the conferences, he said, Councii-
man Klein had much to say regarding
how completely the councils were con-
trolled. He also declared that Klein and
Brand each accepted 500 from Jones In
payment for securing the passage OF an
ordinance. x.
At another meeting Klein. It was testI-
fed, told Wilson 1t was hard to divide
money among the councilmen. Council
man Klein. Mr.. Wilson testified said tina
the councilmen had different prices. Some,
Councilman Klein told them, wanted s100
some SIS, some SIS and some IS. According
to Councilman Klein, Wilson related, thu
50 councilmen were known as "hoodlims.H
IL was also possible, the witness said, to
secure some votes in return for a suit Of
clothes or street car tickets. All the ac4
cused men were held for trial and re.
leased on bond.
"'Other arrests are likely to be made
shortly said District Attorney Blakely
last night. Mr.. Blakeiy took charge OF the
cases against the accused councilmen and
bankers Immediately after the close OF the
preliminary hearing before Police Magis.
.trate f. J. Brady.
More Arrests Expected.
every effort will be made by this OF.
the work started by the voters OF thu
league. The Voters league will probably
continue to make informations and cause
arrests Of others connected with the sean.
dals, but independent OF sue action the
district attorneys office will cause any
arrests which the evidence we secure jus4
titles"
The next arrests, it is said, probably will
be in the ranks OF those charged with
~corrupting the officials.
where there is so man bride takers,
there must also be q number OF bride Civ
ers who are equally guilty." was the sig
nificant remark Of one OF h prosecutors.
There is much speculation as to whether
the accused members will be allowed to
continue as councilmen.