The sun., 1915-06-27
TAGGART TO FIGHT
ELECTION CHARGE
Indicted Indiana Boss and
Henchmen May Have
Separate Trials.
BLAME POLITICAL RIVALS

INDIANAPOLIS, June 2s-Thomas Tag
gart. Democratic national committee
man Mayor Joseph f. Bell Of this city
and the 12s others indicted for election
frauds will fight the case bitterly. This
was made plain to-day when Mayor
Bell gave an interview about the
charges.
'1f I felt that the indictments con-
cerned me only as an individual" ne
said, IT would decline to make any state
nent at all in regard to them because l
think tho public generally understands
the source Of the influence which IN
spired these indictments. But the fact
that I am Mayor Of this city and come
I'm contact with It's citizens In many
WAYS suggests a duty that ] owe TO
them 10 mako some statement In re-
gard to the indictments returned by the
Grand Jury against myself and great
many other Democrats OF this city.
Ordinarily one under Indictment
should await his trial without comment.
but on behalf Of tho mon indicted with
me. IL Ia only fair that the public sus-
pend Judgment until the facts are fully
known.
Knowing this prosecution to be a
prosecution on the part OF certain sci.
fish interests, and believing . trial OF
the cause will vindicate every man in
dicted, my wish Is that tho public give
20 each and every one Of them the same
fair consideration I ask for myself"
Taggart Processes Ignorance.
The only comment Thomas Taggart
would make was:
II do not care TO discuss my case In
tho newspapers. because do not know
what have been indicted for. But
when the case comes UP for trial
will be tried along with the rest OF the
boys who have been indicted. and l sup-
pose by that time I will find out with
| what crime I am charged"
All the men are included In the In
dlc,ment Of forty eight counts under
| the general charge Of conspiracy to COM
NIT a felony. In the forty-eight counts
practically every violation OF the cleo
! tion laws ls set out-stuffing OF ballot
boxes marking ballots, chs nging OF tally
| sheets, coercion, strong arm work.
persecution and swinging OF votes to
| certain candidates violation Of the regis
! tration laws, manipulation OF the votes
| OF illiterate persons. unlawful acts by
| policemen stationed AT the polls. inten-
;ional delay at the voting places. pre-
venting many from voting. importation
OF foaters from Vigo county (Which 10
taken to explain tho inclusion OF Dom
NJ Roberts in the hst). tampering with
and manipulating voting machines ana
other charges.
Chief OF Police Perrott 10 specifically
mentioned In one count. which alleges
that other conspirators united with Per-
| rott to solicit and accept large sums
! Of money from saloon keepers. In return
for which, the indictment says. they
were to receive protection and be per-
mitted TO remain open Sundays and
legal holidays. Perrott's bond. like that
OF Mayor Bell. was fred At $4,000.
Political Rivals blamed.
Many Democrats make the charge
that the Indictment was inspired and
point TO the fact that an investigation
was made into the Indianapolis election
by the Federal Grand Jury shortly after
, II had discovered the election frauds In
Terre Haute. At that time District At
torney Daley presented to the Federal
Jury for several days afldavit prepared
by Republican leaders, and called many
Republican witnesses but the Federal
Grand Jury did not indict. decsa ring that
| while there were isolated cases Of fraud
there was no evidence TO warrant q con-
| spiracy Indictment. such as has Just
| been brought by the county Grand Jury.
| There Is also Indignation over the
fact that Dom NJ. Roberts. now In
Leavenworth prison. was indicted along
with the Indianapolis men. who DO not
relish being connected In any way with
, the Terre Haute gang"
But whether the indictment was in
spired or not. II has been returned In
regular form by a lawfully constituted
body and must he met by tho defend a nts
named, and everything indicates that one
and all will be taken care Of and that
the case will be fought at every point
The promptness with which promincn,
men OF the city. Democrats and Republi-
cans. came to the front to provide bonds