The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-04-25
Mayor, Sheriff. Circuit Judge and City
Judge and Nearly a Score More
Politicians in Federal Prison

~ WENTY-ONE Democratic poll
ticians Of Terre Hautc. Ind,
entered the Federal prison at
Ieavenworth. Kan. last week
., serve terms ranging from six years.
,b,ch was the sentence imposed on
Mayor Dom NJ. Roberts, to a year and
aay. which was the sentence imposed
ON three city appointive officials. one
a, vhim was Ed Holler. chief OF po-
uc. who turned States evidence
,rains, Roberts and some of the other
.ccused. All had been convicted in
ne United States Court at Indiana
uolts OF completely in election frauds
At Terre Haute or had pleaded guilty.
The removal of the twenty-one to
tsaycnworth left in the indianapolis
mil eighty-two other men also con-,
y,cted Of election frauds at Terre
uaute. Thee are to serve terms OF
six months, four months. three months
and sixty days. Three were sentenced
for one day Sentence was postponed
on four Of the accused who are to be
witnesses against Ave Republicans
who we're candidates for Office at the
ssme election and who are alleged TO
ne three red light precincts In the
sixth ward. Sentence was. suspended
IN four others.
IN all 1876 men were named In the
Blanket indictment for conspiracy.
which contained four counts. Some
were never arrested; they were minor
blenders at most. On srraignment
day at Indianapolis twenty eight
pleaded not guilty and lightweight
pleaded guilty. Later seven more
pleaded guilty. leaving twenty-one to
oe found guilty by the jury.
or the twenty -one found guilty on
Monday. April IL, nine withdrew their
appeal to the United States Circuit,
Court OF Appeals before starting for
prison on the following SUNDAY.
Strenuous efforts had been made TO
sive bonds on the appeal, especially
tv several of the higher officials, but
there we're difficulties which had not
been overcome at the time of their
removal 10 l.eavenworth. Judge A. b
Anderson Of the United States Court
for the District OF Indiana hxed the
bond at $4,000 for each year OF the
sentence, which meant 100000 for
Mayor Roberts. $4,000 each for Eli
II. Redman. Judge of the Circuit Court
End Dennis Shea. Sheriff. $4,000 for
four others, $4,000 for five and So
100 for nine. In addition there were
fines Of from $4,000 for Roberts to 500
for the one year men.
The security companies could have
been Unidentified for most Of the bonds
and the fines could have been paid.
but the court wanted to be sure the
costs of the appeal would be paid and
II required a deposit OF cash as a
guarantee. This amounted to from
$4,000 10 $4,000. Sheriff Denny Shea
City Judge Tommy Smith. Maurice
walsh, a comparatively rich man. who
was county sealer and treasurer of the
Democratic county committee. OF
which Mayor Roberts was chairman;
John Masselink, city sealer and Others
who withdrew from the appeal de-
'lded that it would be better for them
70 GO TO jail and thus avoid the cost
" giving bond and OF an appeal
besides escaping the anxiety OF wait
ne two years at least for a decision.
They count on securing communication
of sentence for good conduct and on
Getting the benefit OF the new Federal
aw by which a convict may he paroled
after he has served e-third OF his
sentence.
In tho meantime there Is chaos in
Terre Haute's municipal government
Mayor Roberts has not resigned and
says he will not. The city Councilmen
BY a vote of eight to two decided to
nv him by impeachment. Their legal
advisers said his presence vas not re-
Qu!red AT such a proceeding.
The ten Councilmen are Democrats
nd in the hrst six months OF Mayor
Roberts's term last year supported his
policies In September they turned
7ga.nst him and Harv Skean. presi-
ent Of the body. and other Counci.men
now say they made a mistake in de-
ding not TO impeach him at that
me. But should they remove him
ne can appeal from the action OF the