The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-01-26
..Why. yes.a said Judge Kimbrough


when told of the story being -circulat-
ed about his automobile ride, II went
around with Mayor Platt. There is
not anything wrong about that. And
it is true that our automobile carried
money to the precincts. But why?
Any one who has lived in DanvilIe
long knows that candidates pay off
their organization men, wardworkers,
etc, on the day of election. That's
what the money Mayor Platt and I
carried was used for-to pay off the
workers.
AS to the law relating to vote traf-
fic, he said:
'tOutside of Danville vote buying is
not a crime. In Danville it is not a
crime after 18 months have passed.
Likewise, since conspiracy is to do an
unlawful act there can be no conspir-
acy when there is no unlawful act.
And now as to the Is months per-
iod- That provision in the law clearly
is class legislation and violation of
the fourteenth amendment to the fed
eral constitution which grants to all
equal rights under the law
B. M. Martin, butcher, and father-in-
law of r. H. Frankenberger, the news
paper man, whose published story OF
what purported to be a confession"
of City Attorney Jones that he bought
votes openly, appeared before the grand
jury today. He said he was prepared to
say he saw Jones paying voters money.
Political Aspect.
Danville, Ill, Jan. 26.-Subpoenas
have been issued and given the sheriff s
office for immediate service in connec-
ton with tie vote buying investigation
which made the city gasp at the sud-
denness with which the blow fell and
with the identity of those named.
The political aspect of the move
which was intensified when Foreman
Isaac woodward showed surprise when
asked about the new list, at once be-
came the chief topic of conversation iE
Danville. Members of one faction
openly said it was "a move to white
wash the others, now that it is too late
to get action while the others denied
knowledge of the motives back of the
move and said it was only a natural
step in the much-desired cleaning up cf
political conditions.
Little attention is paid to any other
feature of the sudden action. However.
outside of his display of surprise when
shown the list, Foreman Isaac Wood
yard who has said "just wait, we'll get
to the bottom of this thing" had only
a smile for ouestioners.
Many of the subpoenas are issued in
direct defiance 20 the express fnstruc-
tions of Judge Kimbrough in charging
the grand jurors last week when he
told them they were empowered only to
investigate alleged traffic in votes dur
ing the last eighteen months.
The courts Interpretation of the law.
which exempted his own election, be-
came a matter of public interest. The
order also excluded from examination
the election of States Attorney John
H Lewman and Mayor Louis Platt.
Following is the list of men for whom
subpoenas were issued, the action fol-
lowing hard upon the appearance OF
Charles Knox. unsuccessful Republican
candidate for sheriff at the primaries
before the grand jury:
E r. E. Kimbrough, circuit judge
who brought about the investigation.
Mayor Louis Platt, elected u months
ago when Judge Kimbrough was a
strong supporter.
Earl Chambers. a chauffeur, who has
been summoned to explain a rumor cur
rent at the time that he drove Candi-
date Platt and Judge Kimbrough about
the city the day of the mayors election
to carry money to the workers at the
| polls.
James Meeks, master in chancery OF
| the circuit court.
George L. Harroun. a law clerk in