The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-12-27
n ARRESTED
IN INDIANA FOR
BALL0TFRAUDS
Terre Haute's Mayor, City
Judge and Police Chief
Among the Indicted.
81 MEN HANDICAPPED
BY L. s. MARSHAL

INpiASAPoLIs. Dec. 26.-Seventy-seven
men. including Mayor Dom NJ Roberts,
a candidate for the Democratic nomination
for Governor. were arrested in Terre Haute
to-day as a result of Federal indictments
charging them with frauds at the polls
and conspiracy to win the election last
fall by unlawful means
Besides the Mayor. the list Of indicted
men includes City Judge Thomas Smith.
Circuit Judge Eli II Redman. Police Chief
John T.. Nugent. Sheriff Dennis Shea, John
Masselink, city inspector of weights and
measures Policeman William Doyle and
many saloon keepers and party hangers on.
Twenty-Five of the indicted men. includ-
ing Mayor Roberts. were taken from Terre
Haute to indianapolis tonight by United
States Marshal Storen. Tnoy were all
handcuffcd except the Mayor. whose bond
for $4,000 was not accepted.
Fify Turn states Evidence.
Fifty OF those who were arrested were
released in Terre Hautc on their own
recognizances because they had turned
States evidence.
Judge Redman and Sheriff shea fur
nished oonds for $4,000 each and were
released. city Judge Thomas Smith also
furnished bail
The direct acts leading 10 he ndIct-
ments were frauds at the last registra-
ton "A few weeks before the election md
at the election. the Cnitru states Court
taking Cognizance Of the frauds because "A
member Of Congress from the Fifth dis
trict and a United states Senator were
u be chosen at th. election.
The indicted men are all members OF
what is known as the Taggart-Crawford-
Fairbanks machine In Nigo county, al
though there are twenty Republicans In
the indicted list. II is charged that
Roberts and the others entered into a con-
spracy to keep qualified voters from
registering. 20 keep other voters from
casting ;S5.- ballots. 20 purchase "c:cs
for the machines candidates. to round up
voters and with he aid OF r.oney and
liquor to keep voters from the pills on
Election day.
Conversations between Roberts and his
henchmen are set out In the indictments
and instances are recorded OF his having
offered money for each false registration.
1t il specifically charged that on October
Roberts told frankie Hess. who Is also
under indictment, that he iHess) would
have to handle 200 or 900 votes trom his
saloon on election day. and that on Octo-
/ Der Roberts told Hess that 20 cents
should he paid for each false registration.
The day that Roberts talked with Hes
| about votes. 1t IL charged. Roberts told
Jack Hines ne would have to register 200
votes and vote them in Precinct \. Sixth
ward.
Judge Redman and Nugent are men
toned together in the overt acts, it being
charged that on November . Rcdman toll
Nugen; that he tRedman) would send
man to see Nugent about keeping the reg
ular board in Taylorville from serving on
election day. Another act charged against
Judge Re'iman is that on October - he
told Charles Smiley that If he t.smiley)
would get voted all the names registered
in Precinct e. Sixth ward Rednan would
appoint Smiley "A ba.liT IT the Vigo CIR
cult Court.
Levy of Assessments.
II is charged against Mayor Roberts
that he levied assessments against pro-
prietors OF gambling houses saloons and
dance halls. the proceeds to be used for
the registration OF voters for the cleo
ton. He is also accused of hiring men
to get repeaters. Jack Nugent was coll
lector for Roberts. according 10 the in
dctment.
Citizens complained to GOV. Ralston
about the frauds AZ the registration and
at the election. hut the State courts IN
Terre Haute did nothing. The citizens
then appealed to the United States au-
'hnriri.S charcoal ha ;u