The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1908-12-11
Corrupt Practices Charged
Against Gov. Elect
CONNECTICUT IS STIRRED
Certain Sums Were Given to Saloons for
"Treating"--And Some Other
Acts Contrary to Law Also
Are Charged.

New Haven, Dec 1t.-Interest is
keen today over the possible develop.
ments in the action Of George L. Fox
of this city in pressing his complaint
that certain candidates Cor Office in
the recent state election, or their fnan-
cial agents, failed 10 observe the cor.
rupt practices act passed by the gen.
eral assembly four years ago.
So far as known, the only subpoena
served is that upon Congressman George
l. Lilley Of Waterbury, the governor
ELECT, who will be inaugliratcd Jan. G.
Reports are current, and have been for
some days, that a number of cases are
to be brought before the election court
which was granted TO Mr.. Fox by Judge
w. L. Bennett OF the superior court.
Mr.. Fox's complaint against Mr.. Lii
Icy specifically sets forth that the can.
didate either himself, or through his
financial agent, Col l. NJ. Ullman Of
New Haven, made expenditures not au.
thorized by and contrary to law.
The complaint then enumerates al.
legged acts Of Mr.. Lilley or his agent
in distributing money for campaign
purposes through certain saloon keep
ers in Waterbury for the purpose OF
treating" electors on the day OF cleo.
ion, and Of placing certain sums with
certain individuals in social clubs for
treating purposes.
The complaint further alleges that
the sworn statement OF Mr.. Lilley's
expense does not set forth the ex
penditures, and that there were other
acts by either Mr. Lilley or his agnt,
Col. Ullman, which were contrary to
law.
Col. Ullman is in Washington today.
Mr.. Fox in a statement issued over
lis signature, says: "This is the first
instance known TO me where court
framed upon the English or Canadian
model has been established in the Unit
Cd States II should be understood
that this is a court not for the prose
cution Of anybody, but for diagnosis
and cure Of cancer in the body polite.
No prosecuting officer. but only pri
vate counsel take port in It. It's sole
duty viii be TO find out the truth ard
PUT it on record in the Office Of the sec
rotary Of state. 1t can punish no one.
III Mr.. Lilley be innocent he should
be thoroughly and completely vlndicat
cd and his innocence shown beyond the
slightest question If he or his political
agent be guilty then let the guilt Sc
exposed with equal thoroughness and
clearnessr
Never before in the history 81 Con.
necticut, Il Is believed, has governor
of goyernor-elect been placed in the po-
sition which Congressman Lilley now
finds himself He accepted the service
Of papers at his apartments in Water
bury and simply answered THANK you'
to the deputy sheriff who read him the
notice of the action.
The complaint comes as a climax to
a long and very trying campaign TO-
him, in which, although successful. he
was fought without quarter by a group
of men in the Republican party who
based their opposition TO him on their
belief that his attitude during the sub
marine boat inquiry at Washington in
dicated that temperamentally he was
not fitted to be governor Of the state.
Anti-Lilley Republicans spent about
$4,000 to defeat him for governor,
Mr. Lilley's statement Of expenses
showed that he spent over SOS 1000
through his financial agent to be elect
ed governor. His Democratic opponent
Judge A. Heaton Robertson, direc-
tor Of the New York, New Haven and
Hartford railroad, swore to having
spent $4,000 in his campaign.
The ballots had scarcely been count
ed on election dav when reports were
current that Mr. Fox, who drafted tae
corrupt practice act by request of the
judicial committee of the 1905 general |
had employed private detec
lives and had secured evidence Of AL |
legged illegal practices both in this city, |
and elsewhere.
Day after day reports were current |
That Mfr Fox had asked for an election |
count, and political workers became
very anxious, Thirty days are allow
ID under the law in which to ask for an |
election count and on the last day of |
The time set Mr.. Fox secured his count |
BY laying before Judge Bennett Of the
superior court his evidence. Meantime
Mr.. Fox had been consulting lawyers |
% take up the case.
1t is understood that many Of the.
lblest lawyers in the state declined I'd
,erve and that finally Mr. Fox went to
New York aud secured counsel, to con
luct the hearing. The attorney who
'epresents Mr. Fox in the proceedings
Is indicated by the service papers, Il
Reynolds of this city