Philadelphia Inquirer, January 24, 1911View transcription
MANY ACCUSED OF ELECTION FRAUDS
Camden County Grand Jury Returns Fifty-five True Bills of Indictment
Most of Them Are Impounded by Order of Court, While Constables Get Busy
In a partial presentment made before Supreme Court Justice Garrison, in Camden, yesterday, the grand jury returned fifty-five true bills as a result of its probe into alleged election irregularities. Judge Garrison at once ordered County Clerk Patterson to impound most of the true bills until the defendants are apprehended and held in sufficient security to guarantee their appearance at court for trial. Bench warrants were issued and the force of constables was busy last night trying to locate those indicted.
As an evidence of how grave the accusations are in the eyes of the law, Common Pleas Court Judge Joline demanded $6000 bail when Policeman Samuel Flick, of the Twelfth ward, was arrested by County Detective Doran in the court room. Flick is under six indictments, two for perjury and four for false registration. He was at once taken before Judge Joline when security was furnished by Isaac Shreeve, a fellow policeman of the accused officer.
Other Indictments
Among those indicted was Francis J. McAdams, a Democrat and secretary of the County Board of Elections. He is specifically accused of larceny. His offense involved the removal from the county clerk's office of the poll book of the Sixth precinct, Fifth ward, over which there was more or less trouble. Its whereabouts was not known until McAdams was summoned before the jurors.
Most of the others are indicted under the general offense of "violating the election law." The most important of those whose names were made public is John Broome, a Republican Councilman from the Second ward. With James Smith, Thomas Noland and A. L. James, the latter a police captain. Councilman Broome is supposed to know something about a missing bail bond which was given for Noland's appearance at court. He was charged with repeating, and Broome went his bail.
Indicted on Five Counts
Martin Carrigan, a fireman, and Albert Shaw and James Lewis, policemen, are indicted for violations. Police Sergeant John Golden has five counts against him, while William C. Parker, an election officer, has two. Other defendants include Daniel Woods and Joseph Sparks, who, with Carrigan, are charged with conspiracy. John H. Carroll, Charles B. Crane and Harris D. Stow are accused of violations also.
There are about forty additional indictments against persons whose names were not divulged. It was stated, however, that in most instances these include alleged "phantoms," whose names appear on the registry list as living in places occupied by other persons. They are charged with false registration, but the chances are that but comparatively few arrests will be made in this phase of the matter.
Probe Still Deeper
The fact that it was announced that the presentment was but partial indicates that the probe is not ended. It is asserted that it has just begun and that the finding of indictments presented yesterday is merely the opening wedge for even more searching investigation. When the jurors will be summoned again is not known, Prosecutor Scovel desiring to clean up the calendar, which is greatly overburdened at present, before conducting any further investigation.
Many men prominent in professional and political life were in the court room when the presentment was made, quite a few being on the anxious bench themselves.
Among the seventy-eight true bills found by the grand jury yesterday in connection with the ordinary Criminal Court business and aside from the election cases were indictments against the officers of the Young Republican Club of the Second ward and the Camden Aerie, No. 65, Fraternal Order of Eagles. They are specifically charged with giving indecent exhibitions, and in addition the organizations are accused of keeping disorderly houses.
These cases resulted from reports made by the Law and Order League, whose agents attended "innocent amusements" given by the organizations. The class of entertainment is declared to have had the Seeley dinner and other such events beaten a mile. Not only the officers are indicated, but also Lottie Fayette, of Philadelphia, and a male companion, who assisted materially in the festivities.
Camden County Grand Jury Returns Fifty-five True Bills of Indictment
Most of Them Are Impounded by Order of Court, While Constables Get Busy
In a partial presentment made before Supreme Court Justice Garrison, in Camden, yesterday, the grand jury returned fifty-five true bills as a result of its probe into alleged election irregularities. Judge Garrison at once ordered County Clerk Patterson to impound most of the true bills until the defendants are apprehended and held in sufficient security to guarantee their appearance at court for trial. Bench warrants were issued and the force of constables was busy last night trying to locate those indicted.
As an evidence of how grave the accusations are in the eyes of the law, Common Pleas Court Judge Joline demanded $6000 bail when Policeman Samuel Flick, of the Twelfth ward, was arrested by County Detective Doran in the court room. Flick is under six indictments, two for perjury and four for false registration. He was at once taken before Judge Joline when security was furnished by Isaac Shreeve, a fellow policeman of the accused officer.
Other Indictments
Among those indicted was Francis J. McAdams, a Democrat and secretary of the County Board of Elections. He is specifically accused of larceny. His offense involved the removal from the county clerk's office of the poll book of the Sixth precinct, Fifth ward, over which there was more or less trouble. Its whereabouts was not known until McAdams was summoned before the jurors.
Most of the others are indicted under the general offense of “violating the election law.” The most important of those whose names were made public is John Broome, a Republican Councilman from the Second ward. With James Smith, Thomas Noland and A. L. James, the latter a police captain. Councilman Broome is supposed to know something about a missing bail bond which was given for Noland's appearance at court. He was charged with repeating, and Broome went his bail.
Indicted on Five Counts
Martin Carrigan, a fireman, and Albert Shaw and James Lewis, policemen, are indicted for violations. Police Sergeant John Golden has five counts against him, while William C. Parker, an election officer, has two. Other defendants include Daniel Woods and Joseph Sparks, who, with Carrigan, are charged with conspiracy. John H. Carroll, Charles B. Crane and Harris D. Stow are accused of violations also.
There are about forty additional indictments against persons whose names were not divulged. It was stated, however, that in most instances these include alleged “phantoms,” whose names appear on the registry list as living in places occupied by other persons. They are charged with false registration, but the chances are that but comparatively few arrests will be made in this phase of the matter.
Probe Still Deeper
The fact that it was announced that the presentment was but partial indicates that the probe is not ended. It is asserted that it has just begun and that the finding of indictments presented yesterday is merely the opening wedge for even more searching investigation. When the jurors will be summoned again is not known, Prosecutor Scovel desiring to clean up the calendar, which is greatly overburdened at present, before conducting any further investigation.
Many men prominent in professional and political life were in the court room when the presentment was made, quite a few being on the anxious bench themselves.
Among the seventy-eight true bills found by the grand jury yesterday in connection with the ordinary Criminal Court business and aside from the election cases were indictments against the officers of the Young Republican Club of the Second ward and the Camden Aerie, No. 65, Fraternal Order of Eagles. They are specifically charged with giving indecent exhibitions, and in addition the organizations are accused of keeping disorderly houses.
These cases resulted from reports made by the Law and Order League, whose agents attended “innocent amusements” given by the organizations. The class of entertainment is declared to have had the Seeley dinner and other such events beaten a mile. Not only the officers are indicated, but also Lottie Fayette, of Philadelphia, and a male companion, who assisted materially in the festivities.
