Rensselaer Republican, Volume 21, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 November 1888 — THAT DUDLEY LETTER. [ARTICLE]

THAT DUDLEY LETTER.

The Federal Grand Jury was called in regular Session at (ndianapolis, Tuesday afternoon, and Judge Woods gave instructions which are presumed to have special bearing upon the Dudley letter. He said: Considerable question has been raised since this last election as to whether an attempt to bribe a voter constitutes an offense. I instruct you that it does not u nder ibis statute. The latter clause of the section does make it an offense to bribe a voter, and also makes it an offense to counsel, aid or assist in bribing a voter, or in committing any other offense named in the section, but an unsuccessful attempt to bribe a voter is not an offense under this statute. Tne last „ clause of the section contains the word ‘attempt,’ but, in order to Understand the value of the word as there used, it is necessary, as I interpret the clause, to insert or supply the word ‘to’ before the word ‘attempt/ 8o that the clause will read in this wise, ‘aids, counsels, procures or advises any Buch voter, person or officer to do any,’ etc., or, *to omit to do’ any duty, etc., or ‘to attempt to’ do so; and, so read, the clause makes it an offense to advise another to Attempt to the offenses named in this section. So, that, ‘while it is not a crime to make the attempt, it is a crime to advise any one to make it. If A attempts to bribe B, that is no offense under this statute, but if A

advises Bto attempt to bribe C, then the one giving this advice is' an offender and there is'some wi/Klom in that provision.”' . „ ■ /rr~VV P The Judge plain the offense that he had in view by, referring to reports of.a widespread crime in advising the bribing of voters throughout the State. / p