Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-06-23
HELD IN ELECTION
CONSPIRACY CASES
Prominent Indianapolis Officials
and Politicians Among 1873
Men Indicted.
DATE FOR TRIALS NOT YET SET
Thomas Taggart and Mayor Bell
Accused-Bonds Range From
$4,000 to $4,000

INDIANAPOLIS. IND. June 2o-Not
half Of tho l2s men indicted by the
Marioh County grand jury to-day on
charges Of conspiracy, which arc CON
fined to election laws and state bribery
and hiackmail. had surrendered to
Sheriff George Y. Coffin and given bond
tonight Thomas Taggart. Democratic
national committeeman for Indiana. Jo-
s"ph +. Bell. Mayor OF Indianapolis:
samuel Y. Parrot, chief of police, and
Robert W Metzgcr. Republican mem
bcr Of the Board Of Public Safety. how
ever. were among the first To acknowl-
edR" service in the case and give Sc
curity.
to-day ranged from $4,000 TO 10000.
1t was estimated that If all the 12S
were TO give bond. the total would
run to more than 100000.
No date for the arraiGnment has been
announced. and Judge James A. Col
lins. OF the Criminal Court. said late
to-day that the date would not be set
until next week
Mr.. Taggart and Mr.. Bell tonight
proclaimed their innocence. and as
serted they had committed no crimes
for which they should be indicted
Il have not been able TO find out
what j have been indicted for" said
Mr.. Taggart. Il have not seen the
Indictment. and when our attorneys
asked for copies they were told the in
diciment was not ready TO spread upon
the record. Until I know with what 1
am charged. obviously there is little for
me to say"
WILL NOT LEAVE UNTIL.
ALL BONDS ARE ARRANGED
Mr.. Taggart added that he would re-
main in indianapolis until bonds were
provided for all indicted
Mayor Bell declared that he was
ready for trial now.
II have violated no law" he said.
and the story in the newspapers to-
day was the first intimation I had of
the indictment After our ATTORNEYS
have had an opportunity 10 examine
tho indictment | may have something
to say"
afternoon, with defendants and their
friends arranging bonds. Only n few
capiases were served outside of the
shcriff's Office. While n few of the
bonds were provided by surety com
panies. the majority of those offered
to-day were by friends of the indicted
men. None seemed to have difficulty in
furnishing the required security.
The indictment, which is In forty
eight counts and covers 22S typewrit-
ten pages. charges that tho conspiracy
began prior to the primary OF May 5,
l91i, and extended through tho cleo
tion OF November ., 1914 1t charges
illegal voting, intimidation false reg
istration, padding the tally sheets.
stuiing the ballot boxes, illegal ma
nipulation of voting machines. black
mailing of saloonkcepcrs and resort
owners, bribery and vote buying.
TOTAL OF ,O31
WITNESSES EXAMINED
Conviction on the charges of con-
spring to commit n felony or felonies
carries with il fine of not less than
SO no" more than $4,000 ana imprison-
ment OF not less than TWO years nor
more than fourteen years The grand
jury. under the guidance of Prosecutor
Alvah j. Rucker has been invcstieat-
ing election conditions since carly last
January. and total OF l ,937 witnesses
We're examined
Thomas Taggart was the first of the
indicted men to appear at the sheriff's
once 10 acknowledge service in the
case. He was closely followed ny
Mayor Bell.
Among those indicted were many
members OF Mayor Bells official family.
former city officials, policemen ward
leaders and primary and election Of
hcials. The list includes Herman
Adam. city sealer of weights and meas
ures; Denis Bush. street commissioners:
EDWARD Lyons, Democratic candidate
lor county treasurer; DR.. John w
Siuss. Republican, and former supcrin-
tendent of the City Hospital: Dom NJ.
Roberts. former Mayor of rcrre Haute.
convicted in the Terrc Haute election
frauds trial in Federal Court recently:
Charles Coval, formerly Mayor Bells
secretary; Jacob II. IIilkcn, city build
inG inspector; Oscar Merrill. police
lieutenant; j. Roche and Michael Glenn,
city detectives.