The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-18
Let us give his own words, published in
the daily State Journal, of Topeka, Kan, on the
18th inst. Here they are:

| the daily State Journal, OF Topeka, Kan. on the
| 18th inst. Here they are:
| THAT Governor St. John had never talked to him
on the subject had never offered to make any
terms with tho Republicans, and that st. John had
never authorized him to make any propositions and
that any charge that he had done so was wiful he
gotten up to njure ST. John and call down the men
| who had been lying on him.
''Thus, by Clarkson's own witness, Legate is
| made his and not my agent. and | am exoner-
| ated from all completely in these matters But
| 1T is said that saw Legate at OberlIn. u, Oct
6. That is true but why he there and IN
whose INTEREST," Why, he was sent by those
| managing the Republican campaign IN ONO, for
the express purpose of making Republican
| speech, which ne did on the evening OF Oct Z,
| in answer to the address delivered by me on the
| 9th.
but to throw little more light upon Mr..
| Clarksons relation to this whole matter. hear
| what his friend j. B. McCullagh, of the st.
| Louis Globe Democrat, in an interview reported
in the Post-Dispatch of St Louis, the 30th inst,
says:
"Mr. Clarkson, of the Des Moines Iowa. Register,
who was member Of the committee, and who had
charge of the department which conducted the nego-
but the fact is certain. | of it. ST. John
wanted $35, 900 and $50 lecture
''Now, 1 submit to the candid judgment of
every good citizen, un biased by partisan preju-
Dice that, even though l should interpose no
word in my own Defense do not the
statements of Clarkson, Legate and Nc
Cullagh show that there was plan
laid to either filch money from the treasury
of the national Republican committee, or to
bribe me to betray an honest, sincere and con
scientious minority, and thus prevent fair ex-
preston of the will of the people and through
such corrupt means, gain a victory for the he
publican party Failing in this, and smarting
under the lash of political defeat and blasted
hopes, to crown the tnfamy Legate is treacher-
ousy betrayed and offered AS a sacrifice upon
the altar OF corruption. And these are my ac-
cusers
. But it has been charged that 7 secured, early
| in the campaign, from Senator Plumb q letter
introducing Mr.. Legate to the national com
mlttee as person authorized to act
and speak for him incl, to which
/ reply that have not seen Senator Plumb for
nearly year. and have had correspondence
with him since Mr.. Blaine was nominated, and
never requested him or anybody else to do any
such thing and Senator Plumb is at liberty to
publish anything he has from me touching this
matter.
1T will be observed that it is stated that
wrote letters to L. w. Gage, State organizer of
Ohio; A. L. Carey. of Samantha; Rev. Mr..
Gegen, of Columbus. and Professor w. G. Frost.
OF Oberlin. Now, respectfully ask these gentle
men, If any letter, or letters. or communications
were ever received from me that tend to throw
any light upon this question: to publish the
facts.
Again, it is charged that there are several
| to the Democrats, and the editor of the Chicago
| News is mentioned one, and Senator German,
| of Maryland, as another. Now, while l have
| not the honor of personal acquaintance with
| either Of these gentlemen, | respectfully request
them in the interest of common fairness, if. they
have any evidence that eliminates me, to give it
to the public. Finally, did not go to Philadel-
| phla with Mr.. Legate, nor from Philadelphia to
| New Y ork with him. Bnt did, when in Phil
| adelphia on the night of Oct H. in answer to q
| through the columns
| York Tribune of that date by what purported to
| be the New York State Temperance Assembly,
| that withdraw from the campaign, write an
| open letter. which was published i'll the New
York and Philadelphia papers of the 18th, in
| reply to said request, in which | said that
| should neither withdraw assume a neutral
| position but would continue tho fight against the
liquor traffic as long as should live and the flag
OF our country waved its protecting folds over
legalized dram shop [ never in the head
quarters of either the Democratic or Republican
party and to this day do not know where they
were located nor did l. during the
campaign, ever speak, write or telegraph to- or
to my knowledge, see any agents of the national
or State committees of either of said parties;
nor did receive penny directly or indirectly,
from any political party, committee, or other
organization, except my legitimate expenses,
amounting to less than $500, paid by the ma
tonal committee of the Prohibition party nor
did l do, or promise to do,
or omit to do anything for the purpose
of decreasing the Prohibition vote or increasing
the vote of either of the other political parties;
nor aid / get sore throat. or pretend to get a
sore throat; and think that even the Repub-
lican party will not claim that feathered' my
speeches. and | again challenge my defamers to
prove to the contrary. With charity for all,
and malice toward none | now submit this
statement to the people, with q firm conviction
and full realization that for the truth hereof
am to answer to God. JOHN T. ST JOHN"