New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1908-12-05
CHICAGO CORRUPTION
SHOCKING ALLEGATIONS.
Jury Finds EOen Insane and Dead
We're Voted IN Primaries.

Chicago, Dec 4-The ballots Of men long resi-
dents of other cities the ballots Of temporary
sbsentees. the ballots of the insane and of
the dead were cast It is said. in the primary cleo
ton Of last August, in Chicago. REPEATER
voted in platoons with the connivance OF wilfully
unSeeing judges and clerks OF election, II is
charged. and fraud. rampant to an extent hitherto
unknown in Chicago rendered the resultant party
nominations morally worthless.
These and other startling allegations were made
to-day In the report OF the special grand jury
which adjourned after several weeks OF deiVlns
into charges growing out of ChicaSos first pr1rra-
ries and returning eighty-one indictments against
twoscore or more OF politicians and other per
The investigation owing TO physical hnl-
tatons. merely scratched the surface of the stua-
ton according to report, and doubt Is expressed
that there been honest city or general eIec-
ton IN Chicago in years
The findings Of the inquistoriaI body characterize
the primary election as a disgrace TO the CITY
Voting machines urgently advised, as q step IN
a remedial direction. and a wider application Oh
Civil Service. 1t Is stated that while the jury can
not affirm that frauds perpetrated by civil
Service employees, It Is significant that the inquis
itors found none On the other hand, the report
remarks that although the police were near every
polling booth the Investigators received no AID
from them in seeking to fasten responsibility AoF
the conditions which prevailed.
Referring TO the fact that Frank J. Loosen. spe-
cial States attorney appointed to conouct Ins IN
vestigaton. had been compelled by injunction 10
perform public duty without compensation even
drawing on hi purse for necessary expenses
in instance. the report denounces the men re-
sponsible for such conditions, and adds; we
especially condemn the recent dissTacsful conouce
Of the Superintendent Of Public Service which de-
prived Mr.. Lossch OF reimbursement OF funds Tor
emergency and other expenses TO the amount OF
ISL which, with generosity and high sense OF
duty he advanced from his private purse
Touching conditions which have obtained AT
elections. the report says:
addition the testimony directly bearing upon
the f61d ana T a lo5 cb ton
regarding the conduct Of said primary election and
ghe ot+4cs7s VIC ere tfsraeG Nv Law with The cor
duct of elections, and dfsgracefu the city of
Gheago Which has Ps.TIed such 4 s 9Sf f frauds
We ind and 50 report that no cO16spGe CA be
any candidate Tor party nomination a. me pr
naTg eeeuon, and yft t RI o section COST the
Fraudulent registration, leading 10 fraudulent
voting: repeating by patoons of men. who we're
voted frst for one party and then for other party
absences, non-resdents insane and dead Fasni
voters known 70 the Judges 70 be SO: numerous
and fragrant perjurtes by party voters 70 enaole
I Ien I3 x6e HitbonF sdaVs in SUPPORT of
s7cS Iotes. fTand5ienIiv WriTinE names On the
respond; keeping Upon the ressters names OF men
and voting them: voting the same name more
than once at The same precinct; disfrencnislng
others: marking ballots after the boxes were
opened; handing voters ballots already MARKED Tor
certain candidates; marking ballots for voters
against their wishes and SO putting ballots into
the ballot box; ntrni6atins voters and competing
them 10 their candidates contrary 70 their
wishes; strangers and police officers being per
raitted handle the ballots after the boxes were
opened, so permit Of fraudulent marking or
baIlot-eIl these were proved before Us. and are
by no means al Of the devices which, We have
reason believe. resorted 70 in VIOLATION OF
every provision Of the election laws INTENDED Ior
the security OF the voter, tbs sanctiry or the
ballot and the accuracy OF the result and 70 &C.
feat the viii OF the people as expressed by the
lawful votes cast at said election
From the facts coming 20 our knowledge We ex-
press serious doubt whether there has been any
honest general city election in Chicago Tor years
past - -. .t5
fraudulent voting done in pursuance OF gen
eraI schemes OF corruption the nature, character
and extent Of which We had not the time rully ID
develop
The report recommends Law making corpul-
sory the services Of voters as judges and CLERKS
of election that general election inspectors pro-
v1ded for By law shall be Of character sno
man OF standing with police authority and i'm
proved methods Of identifying voters and the de-
NAL OF every candidates presence in a polling
booth except while casting his vote This last
recommendation includes candidates for precinct
committeeman who are alleged 70 have led in the
corrupt acts OF the election