Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-01-28
CALL REPORTERS
IN VOTE SCANDAL
LEAK IN pANVILLE GRAND JURY
SUSPECTED; CONTEMPT PRO.
CEEDINGS MAY RESULT.

Danville, ILL.,, Jan. 27.-The vote in
vestigation today resolved itself into
summons for all the Chicago news
paper men who are here to cover the
story to appear before the grand jury
A leak in the grand jury is suspected
and there is an intimation Of contempt
proceedings.
DanviIe Judge Before Jury,
Judge Kimbrough before the grand
jury admitted the truth Of the distri-
button Of bags of money on election
day.
Just before entering the jury cham
ber he threatened Chicago newspaper
correspondents with contempt OF court
il any portion of his testimony was
published. Kimbrough's business asso-
ciate and friend, Mayor Louis Plat,
arrived at the jury ante-room with the
jurst.
The room presented strange pic
ture. Judge Kimbrough, immediately
groomed, his massive brow mantied ny
thick gray hair, sat beside negro,
summoned in the same vote buying in
quiry as the jurist Opposite iounged,
an unkempt, illiterate Greek. Ward
and precinct workers from the tough
district, "bis politicians" and bankers
completed the makeup Of the group.
Judge Kimbrough, in admitting the
truth of the automobile story, said the
distribution of bags Of cash was legit-
innate.
at is true went around the city on
election day" said Judge Kimbrough
before entering the jury room. Any
one who knows anything about cleo.
ton methods in Danville will readily
understand it.
The Custom in DanvilIe.
my automobile bill on election day,
1 should say off-hand. was 500. pre-
sumo Mayor Platt's expense was the
same, The method in Danville has al
ways been to pay off the organization
workers on election day. That has been
the system here as long as I can re-
member, and my memory goes back
over a considerable period.
II deny absolutely that the money
distributed from the automobile was to
purchase votes. It was for organization
purposes, a legitimate campaign ex-
pense"
"Will you go back over eighteen
months in your testimony" the judge
was asked.
Il will answer the questions which
the grand jurors present Then ne,
made this eXpla nation: "The law, out,
side of Danville, does not make vote
buying q crime In Danville it is not a
crime after eighteen months have
passed. Therefore the buyers are i'm
mune for offenses more than eighteen
months back regardless Of me. That is
the law.
Likewise, since conspiracy is to do
an unlawful act there can be no con-
spiracy where there is no unlawful
act"
Judge Kimbrough was before the
grand jury sevcnty-seven minutes
This long stay created all kinds of ex-
element in the anxious groups throng-
ing the county building. us he tell i
ing?" "Will he stand pnt?' were the
queries heard in gossipping.
The arpearane before the jury of
Earl Chambers, who drove the gold
laden auto and H. NJ. Martin provid
ed their own sensations. Chambers
has knowledge Of the electioneering
of Judge Kimhrough and
Mayor Piatt, through driving them on
their golden Sallop' around the city.
saw the Coin Given Out.
According to Chambers the money in
bags was placed in his nac}ine by |
lake Tincher q clerk in the First Ma
ional bank. and Judre Kiulbrough and
Mayor Platt distributed it.
Martin said that on election day (!
Ci.y Attorney Frank w. Jones. woo
I'D an '.office" in the back room. OF
Martins meat shop at 500 West Fair !
hid street, scrapcl paint off a parti /
ion and saw .Iones paying money to
white men and negroes.
Clint C. Tfpton. editor OF the Press /
Democrat. appeared in response to Il |
;rfToerae. bit spent only few min
-tes Nefo-a thc iury. President G.. r..
english Of the First National bank will |
e g witness. J',Gge Eirlhrough is vice
president of the bank.