New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-01-26
ACCUSE DANV|LLE JUDGE
lnstlgator OF Vote Inquiry "Holst
by His Own Petard.'
LONG LIST OF SUMM0NSES

Grand Jury Decides to Go Back
More than the IS Months
Specified by the Court.
Danville, ILL.,. Jan. 4-yermilion County's
Grand Jury Investigation Of alleged vote
traffic took on new life to-day. II IN
VOWED Judge r. r. T.. Klmorough, the m
st'gator OF the inquiry, ana a dozen other
prominent Democratic politicians in speak
er Joseph @. Cannons home county.
Judge kimbrough. Mayor Lewis Plat ana
several others we're summoned to-day TO
testify before tho grand jury. which the
judge had charged 70 make an investiga-
ton Of ballots cast in :he last eighteen
months. a little more than eighteen months
ago Mayor Plat and Judge Kimbrough
were elected 10 office. and b. to-day's move
| their own election will he brought into the
investigation.
Mayor Plat and Judge Klmbrough an
nounced that they would 60 before the In
| quisitors and tell all they knew.
The subppnas were issued for Judge Kim
! hrough. Mayor Plat and other Democrats
after the appearance Of Charles Knox, un-
successful Republican candidate for Sheriff
! AT tho primaries. before the grand jury to-
! day.
/ Foreman Isaac woodward Of the grand
jury, who has all along said. Just wait;
well get TO the bottom Of this thing" had
no comment to make tonight about the
now subpenas.
| Until the sudden turn OF affairs to-day.
those whose elections were chiefly under
fire were Sheriff John T. Shepard and sup
porters Of Speaker Cannon, both Repub-
licans. II the inquiry goes back more than
eighteen months, as indicated by the list Of
witnesses named to-day. it will open to at
tack the election in which the Democrats
Mayor Plat and Judge Kimbrough were
successful.
Greek Politician Heard.
Among the witnesses before the grand
| jury to-day was Peter Sanichas a poll
tician who has considerable influence among
tho Greek voters in Dsnvile He spent An
hour and ten minutes before the question
ers He announced before that he would
tell all he knew, which, ne added, was
nothing.
Curtis Redden. an attorney, formerly
football coach OF the University Of Mich
san. also gave testimony before the grand
jury. Il Is not certain in what connection
he was called. A witness before the grand
jury to-day explained a rumor that he had
sought aid from the head OF a local polti-
cal organization for the primary campaign
land had been told It would cost him 800
for the organization and 5000 for that
body TO spend" The report still has II
that he refused, that he became known as
the candidate without any money and
lost tho nomination. What explanation h
made 10 the grand jury IS not known
| How far the new situation will carry the
inquisitors IS probematical Nearly ever
public oficer in Vermilon County says h
knows OF vote trahicking but none has ex-
pressed willingness to give this informa-
ton 10 the Jury unless It be agreed tc
clean up" the whole situation.
Mayor Plat would not discuss to-dsJ
tho story that Earl Chambers. a chauffeur
had driven Judge Kimbrough and Plat
about the city the day Of Platts election.
Chambers said the automobile made sev-
eral trips from the First National Bank 10
different parts Of the city, carrying bags OF
silver. He did not know what was done
with the money. Mayor Platt said this
money was spent chiefly in keeping to-
gether his organization. and that he never
bought a vote I'm his life.
List Of Those Subpenaed
Tire complete list OF those whose names
we're given to tho Sheriff 10 nc served with
subppnas follows
Mayor Louis Plat, elected tventy-on'
months ago.
Circuit Judge +. r. f. Kimbrough, who
charged the grand jury TO make the inves-
tlgation. but who so worded the charges
as TO exempt his own election. little more
than eighteen months ago.
Earl Chambers. 4 chauffeur. who will be
asked to explain a rumor that he drove
Mayor Plat and Judge Kimbrough about
the city at the time of Mayor Platt's cleo
ton, when, it IS said money was carried
10 the workers.
George l.. Harroun. law clerk IN the
office OF Master in Chsncery Meeks.
James Meeks. master In chancery
Harry Campbell. Democratic committee.
man OF the eth Ward.
Percy Platt. son os Mayor Phstt
Clinton e. Tilton, editor Of THE Press
Democrat" a Danyille morning newspaper
William Connors, a politician.
Chris Lons. Mayor Platts secretary.
Theodore anderson, politician.
Fred Nutrich deputy sheriff, AT present
guarding the door to tho grand Jury room
who was objected 10. but was retained by
the jurors.
Charles Weiss. an election Judge a
! Westyillc.