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SAD DAYS FOR THE GRAFTERSNewspapers over the state have commented more or less on Judge Anderson’s criticism of the parole system, which permits nany convicted criminals to effect release from penal servitude within a comparatively short.time after their conviction.He called particular attention to the case of Chauncey Stillson, the common gambler, who was compelled to serve his full time in Atlanta, while the more important victims of the fake prize fight crowd who were sent up from Muncie, were enabled to secure sufficient influential pull to get them out a 1 er serving but one third of their terms.It may be recalled that the Post-Dem c rat, in one of its issues of a recent date, called attention to this abuse of the parole s; stem, and cited Chauncey Stillson as an example of one who, by reason of not being neluded in the group of ‘‘higher-ups” was not considered when the “influence” was be ng passed around.In other words there was just so much “influence” available, and those who had influence on tap did not care to injure their credit by including small fish like Chaunce5i Stillson in the amnesty proceedings.And there is nothing on record to si ow that those who were paroled made any great effort to lessen the length of time t) at Stillson had to serve, notwithstanding the fact that Stillson had “stood pat” and refused to peach on the “higher ups” when the trial took place n 1919.The parole system is not bad, but the pardon boards should be just and equitable in their decisions.When Billy Robertson, confessed collector of graft money, candidly told his story in Judge Anderson’s court last week, it is possible that he had in mind the case of Chauncey Stillson, who prided himself on Hie fact that he did not “squawk” on Bunch and Murphy and had to remain in prison his full time, while the men Stillson had protected, were turned loose in eight months, -eaving their loyal friend, who refused to squawk, to stay till the cows came home.Robertson probably decided that the best thing for him to do was to tell the truth, or, as some of the sporting brethren may designate his action—“squawk.” Billy most likely took the timely notion that he would look out for Billy and let the other fellows paddle their own canoe. That seemed to be the plan used when it came to using “Influence” to get the big guns out of hock at At anta, so Billy no doubt felt perfectly within his rights when he sat in the big, easy chiir at the left of Judge Anderson and spilled out a story of graft collection and disbursement which even made the old timers sit up and take notice.One of the most pitiful cases was that of Captain George Fox, of the police department, who was sent to federal prison at Fort Leavenworth for a period of a year and a half. The specific action which led to Flt; x’s conviction was the “tipping off” to' Pete Barlow of a police raid which was about to be made on Barlow’s premises, in a search for liquor.Barlow ran one of the biggest gambing houses in Muncie. He testified in federal court that he paid $82.50 protection money each week. Of this amount, said he in his testimony before Judge Anderson, fifty went for police protection, twenty five to Prosecutor Murphy, five to Constables Black and Knuckles and two dollars and a half to Squire Timothy Owen.Billy Robertson, confessed “collector,” said he was collecting the same amount from four gambling houses in Muncie, his duty being to pay the mayor fifty dollars from each joint, while Chauncey Stillson paid twenty five to Murphy from each gambling joint.Thus, it will be seen that the money paid out each week by Barlow and other law breakers for “police protection,” went to one man, the head of the city, and that the police were merely playing with fire for iis particular benefit.There was nothing to show that Cq Fo*. took a penny from any lawbreaker hi Muncie, but the evidence did show, anff ms own confession cTincHeTTC that he,'as a police officer, protected law breakers in order that men termed by him in the trial as his “superiors,” were getting all the money that was being paid out for protection.In most cities where grafting is common, and where the police department is used wholly or in part to protect criminals, the chief of police, his captains and lieutenants . and even patrolmen, participate in the division of spoils, but not so in Muncie. It was enough that the prosecutor and mayor got their’s. The system seems to have been that the policeman ought to be satisfied to hold his job and do what he was told to do.As all will recall the Post-Democrat commented freely on the situation that had existed here from the time, early in September, when Dr. Bunch secured control of the board of safety. The Post-Democrat gave warning to the candidate, the gamblers, the mayor and the chief of police that with the control of the police department placed unreservedly in the hands of a candidate whose candidacy was backed by gamblers and violators of the state and national liquor laws that they were all in grave danger, but they refused to listen to reason.The Post-Democrat urged that the mayor immediately remove his board of safety and replace it with men who could not be con trolled by the gamblers, but the suggestion was ignored by the mayor, who believed that our friendly warnings were actuated by “politics,” when nothing was further from our mind.The indications are now that there will be another federal investigation of Muncie's underworld. City Judge William A. McClellan, democrat, and Sheriff Thomas Hiatt, republican, and Prosecutor Clarence Benadum, republican, came in for much unfavorable notoriety at the federal trial last week.The government has had men for many weeks investigating conditions in Muncie. The Post-Democrat, in urging that the plan of making Muncie the Monte Carlo of Indiana, both because of moral reasons and for the reason that the federal government would certainly land heavily sooner or later, was taken in the spirit of insolence, bravado and intimidation which is naturally to be expected from such a group.Instead of thanking the Post-Democrat for its timely warning, the editor was assaulted by one man, threats of assault and murder were every day occurences, plots were laid to plant liquor in our office and then have the police pull off a raid, a plot was laid to “knock off” the editor while making an automobile trip into Ohio, and our home was even invaded during our absence by a band of thugs, who told the wife of the editor that they would “get” him before the night was over.That we were telling them the truth ought to be apparent to them by this time. We told them that the days of organized gambling and organized protection was over in Muncie, and while a part of them believed we were giving them good advice and stayed out of the game, a large group persisted in their belief that with Roll Bunch as their leader and adviser they had nothng to fear.
Newspaper Details
Muncie Post Democrat
Muncie, Indiana, US
Fri, Dec 16, 1921
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Vigilant C.
NA, 29 Mar 2025
Other Publications Near Muncie, Indiana
Muncie Daily Telegraph
Muncie Delaware County Telegraph
Muncie Telegraph
Muncie National Republican
Muncie Indiana State Journal
