Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-21
ADMIT VOTE BUYING
City Attorney and Sheriff of
DanviIIe, ILL.,, Confess.
WILL TELL GRAND JURY
Sheriff Shepard, However, Doesn't
Believe Conviction Possible.
URGES UNIVERSAL CONFESSION
Attorney Jones Suggests All Candi-
dates Go Before Grand Jury
Monday Next.
URGES UNIVERSAL CONFESSION

DANvILLE. Ill, January 21.-City At
torney Frank Jones. who managed the
campaign of Sheriff John NJ. Shepard, to-
day made a complete confession of the
part he had taken in vote buying, both
in the primary and general election, and
he announces he is willing to go before
the grand jury and tell all he knows.
The confession was made after a con-
ference with his friends, who told him
that under the circumstances 1t was the
best thing he could do.
Sheriff Shepard admits buying votes,
but says he will not go before the grand
Jury and confess, as it would be impos-
sible to secure jury to convict any. man
who bought votes.
Jones. who made his confession to sew
eral newspaper men and in the presence
of friends. said that he had bought a
large number of votes for Shepard, and
of the men he bought and the amounts
paid each, but a few days ago he had
destroyed it.
However, he said. he believed he could
willing to go before the grand jury and
tell them.
Wants Others to Confess.
Jones also suggests that there be a
mass meeting Of all successful and de-
feated candidates. together with the ward
captains. and that resolution be adopt
ed that they go before the grand jury
Monday and tell everything.
Jones says there is no doubt in his mind
but that the names of hundreds Of men
who have sold their votes are known to
various candidates and politicians and
that the politicians should be made to
tell them.
The confession has created sensation.
and 1t is expected that numerous others
will follow from men who hope to re-
ceive an immunity bath from the state.
Jones says there Is no doubt in his mind
itics and has been city attorney nearly
two years. He admits he used money in
his own election, but does not remember
the amount He told one newspaper man
that it would run to almost $1,000. His
office pays 500 per month and is for two
years.
Mayor Favors Mass Meeting.
Mayor Plat is anxious that the mass
meeting be held. He says he will attend,
and thinks every other candidate should
do the same. Mayor Plat was elected
nearly two years ago, and 1t was assert
ed at the time that q great deal Of money
was spent in his behalf, but he has al
ways insisted that If any votes were
bought. he knew nothing of it.
Sheriff Shepard also said that he had
kept a list of the names Of the men he
purchased up until q few days ago. when
he destroyed them When told that he
might be granted immunity II he made
his confession to the grand jury, he stat
ed shat he had nothing to fear
1t was reported this morning that an
Indictment had been voted against Hardy
Whitlock. former county treasurer, who
was nearly $3S, 600 short in his accounts
when he turned his office over to his
successor. Whitlock is supposed to be
in Detroit, where he is said to be work.
ing as a street car motOrman. 1t is al
legged that Whitlock spent several thou
sand dollars previous to the last primary
in an endeavor to win the nomination
for sheriff, but was defeated by Shepard.