The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1883-06-14
STEWARD SAITH.


PAoI.A. Kan, juno 6-The proceed
ings in the investigation at the insane
asylum opened about 10 O'Clock this
morning. On motion of Steward Smith
counsel for bill Of particulars OF the
charges against him, Counselor Mech
am, of OLsHa, made q strong argument
IN taYor OF the motion. He was fol.
lowed by Counselor Brown, of Paola, in
an able and exhaustive speech, denying
the judicial character of the invesfiga-
ton, which he undertook to show was
such as might be set on foot by q rail.
road employs, not subject to the FORM
ulas and rules of courts on legal pro-
ceedings, and that the board had
the power to investigate the
conduct Of the steward with.
out any charges whatever having
been made. Counsellor Sheridan closed
the argument for the accusers in an adj
dresa OF twenty minutes. Still further
arguing on the more Judicial character
of the lnveatIgation followed. Judge
Stewart, of Smiths counsel, closed the
argument on the motions of the bill of
particulars, making an appeal to the
boards sense OF justice and fair play TO
grant the motion After some delibera-
ton the board overruled the motion and
Mp. johnson, one of the accusers, pro-
ceeded 70 read affldavits 90 substantIate
the charges against Smith. One by
late druggist 0f OsaWatOmie (Sands),
who eweers that Steward Smith was un-
deFstoOd ia the neighborhoOd TO dictate
and control the votes of the employees on
elections, and that Smith bears the repu.
tation OF being scheming, wire pulling
politician, and that he had heard en-
ploYes say they were afraid of losing
their places IL smith discovered they had
voted egaInst his wishes. One Trickett |
Of PaOls makes all 1svit that he heard |
Smith say that he (Smith) had been a |
thorn ia the side of the Democrats for /
years, and that he was the "bell wealth /
CT" they wanted TO Dust, and that he /
heard Smith give dates how he pro-
cured thirteen freshmen, engaged in ex-
caVattnR az the asylum four years ago to
vote the Republican ticket by giving
them beer and whisky and driving them |
to the polls in the asylum wagon,
Said Smith considered this his BOSS |
trick. Daniel ConkiIn swore in affida- |
Wit that he had seen one Helm taking a
COW and some hogs out of the asylum |
stock yards by the conveyance of the
steward, and that said stock was the pri- |
vate property of said Helm, and presu.
mably had been fed at the states ex-
pense. Also that the asylum board had |
been driven to the Plumb political meet.
ing last fall in the asylum team.
This Is the gIst of the affidavit pro- /
duced against Smith. Col. Snoddy asked /
for time t. c''nIer with his associate and |
Smith which was granted. In an hour /
they came before the board, asking for q /
delay sufficient for Smith 10 get wit |
ness from Lawrence and ono from Gar
nett, and that lil the meanwhile he could |
arrange the testimony and hand in his |
defense and submit it to the board as /
fast as the affidavits could be prepared |
This was agreed t1 by the baard which |
then adjourned over until Thursday.
Capt. Smith states that he can pro- |
duce afr1daVi's within twenty four hours |
going directly Ia dispFoVe these charges, |
ana Col. ShOddy is busy tonight pre-
pairing the case in his defense Before |
Smiths reappOintment last year he was |
Incompetent but the opposing counsel as. |
scented to three Of the board inVestigat-
ing all oft Ie ste wards acts since his first |
appointment tn years ago. The board |
made no ruling In this point. The in |
visIigatinn will close by Friday. The
absent Republican member of the board, |
A. 8. SharIH-, Wilt arrive from Eureka
Springs to- morrow.
Capt. Smith d'Hs not seem to be cast
down at all by. reason of this Investiga-
ton. The vote af the board to-day was
on the party line, the three Democrats
for everything The motion, and the Re
publican, Nr. Holm, for sustaining il.
The Democratic members assert that
Smith shall have fair show, and that
If he makes good defense he shall be
sustained. On the contrary, Smith and
his friends claim that these charges are
not entitled 10 be considered in any 9th
er light than frivolous and of no account
whatever. Mr. Meecham returned home
to-day. Only half q dozen spectators
were present to-day.