The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-02-19

Especial TO The Timcs-D Dispatch
Danville. Ill, February lS.-The
Vermtlion county Crane jury, which
Tor more than a month has been inquir
ing into Wholesale traffic In votes, is NJ
last on the trial ofthe two enormous
campaign funds which are alleged to
be- responsible for the return or jos
eph g. Cannon 10 Congress in 1905 and
1910.
In the presidential year. tie Cannon
barrel Is said TO have contained st0.ouo
for use In his congressional district.
the Eighteenth Illinois. In the election
last fall the sun OF $4,000 is said to
have been available for Verinilion
county alone.
Danville is Uncle Joc's'' home town,
and Nermilion his home county. When
strangers first come 10 Danvillc thc,-
are told that the Speaker does not
have to use money in lis own baill-
wick: that the votes are his for IN,
asking. After q time one learns that
the votes are to be had for the asking,
provided the price is right.
Has Real Opposition.
At frs, they would have Won hn-
licvc that Uncle joe has no rea! on
position. and that he would be foolish
70 spend his good money even though
he has moro millions that he has
fingers on one hand. HIS long service
at Notwithstanding 1876, with bur
ono "slip-np"-would seem 10 be corro-
borhtion. Yet the grand Jury has
found reason to investigate his two
latest campaigns.
1t found the reasons only after i,
had rid itself OF blankets OF many
weaves and colors which the power
fui Federal clique threw over II. It
found the reasons after II had cast
an casy-going. smiling. nninterestcd
States attorney into the discard. after
II had broker with the sheriff and even
discarded the Instructions as TO limita-
TONS imposed by tho court which
created tho inquisition.
"Unclc joe doesn't need to buy votes
in N%crlnilion county. yet his financial
manager, Il. y. ~1.esrurc. his son-in-
law. finds it eXpedicnt 10 absent him
self from tie state until the grand
jurors arc tired out. lie pleads ill
health at long distance. ana is taking
"baths' at Il Michigan resort. Michael
l.. King, president OF the Second Ma
tionai Eank, known as The Cannon
hank, lef, for California shortly after
the grand jury got under way.
Uncle Joe doesn't need Ia buy
votes, yet his supporters and iicuten-
ants, men OF powerful position and Of
fec in this country, have stopped to
coach:ng ward lcclcrs how to .stand
, tat Wlcn callcu belOrc the jury. Iilcy
have even ono so far as to endanEc!
themselves with indictments for per-
; jury or subornation Of perjury.
His One "slip-Ip."
! It was in 1890 that Cannon clipped
up" on getting his annual return tick
ct to Washington. An old soldier. Col
cnci Buscy. had :, rich wife who want
ell him TO hold official position in
Washington. Buscy was from Urbanu
4! Champaign county. which was then in
this district. Buscy had a campaign
fund as large as his war record was
long. Uncle Joe hadn't bothered go
arg 1o war II didn't realize the need
Of a. congressional fund. Buscy went
to Congress.
since that awful Waterloo OF 1890.
! Cannon has taken no chances. ana in
/ the subsequent twenty years there has
| grown up In Vcrmtiion and some other
counties Of the district an organized
and powerful votc-getting machine
In tho last presidential year. II. c.
lists against Uncle Joe" He secured
ing by advocating a law prohibiting
the carrying Of loquor into dry terri
tories. The showing which Bell mado
alarmed the Cannonites. and q cam
paign FUND said to have amounted to
$50. 900 wa secured.
The money was not deposited in any
OF the Danville banks. Instead. pay
headquarters was established in n
safe deposit vault in the Bridges
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