The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1893-11-29
ROASTING THEM.
A PRONOUNCED VERDICT AGAINST
THE CONSPIRATORS
Their Own Political Brethren Denounce
Their Scbeme-Chairman Helm De-
cidedly in Favor of Webb Taking
His S.at-Chief Gone and
Others Speak.

The men who are trying to subvert the
will of the people by cOntesting the cleo
ton of E. Webb were alarmed yesterday
morning when the EAGLE exposed their
little conspiracy. The thing came upon
them with unexpected force and they were
not prepared for it.
From the moment they arrived in their Of
fees political friends began to deiuge them
and many of them expressed their opinion
of the attempted outrage with more force
than elegance.
The conspirators at first denied that
such scheme was contemplated by them,
but their friends knew better. They
knew that at the last meeting of the
county committee "Ipey" Campbell adj
dressed that body and insisted on it con-
testing Webbs election. That body re-
fused absolutely. The friends also knew
that Kies went to Topeka Saturday night
and consulted Judge Webb; they! also
knew that the employees of the court
house had been taxed months salary
to carry on the contest and
at least prevent Mr.. Webb from
being inaugurated until Kies and
Stewart had their pockets still further
lined with the public funds. The schem-
ers when they knew they were caught pro-
caeded on another tack. They said that
on the Republican ticket the words ''for
commissioner of the 81 representative dis
trict," were printed, while on the Pop
ticket the words "for commissioner of the
Third district" were printed, and that che
Republicans did this in preparation for
contest. This is lie made out Of the
whole cloth. 1t is true that the tickets
were printed that way, but it was in &C
cOrdance with the manner of the
filing of the certificates with the county
clerk. To show that the Republicans con-
templated no such q thing it will suffice
to say that the county clerk notified
Colonel Bean and Mr.. Helm, chairmen of
both parties to the fusion, of the fact that
the tickets would be printed in the man
ner stated, unless they had ordered
change. in which event the county clerk
would comply with their wishes. Neither
one of the gentlemen deemed a change
necessary and the tickets We're printed
exactly as they were certified to the county
clerk.
The fact OF the matter is the conspira-
tors thought they would steal march
on the Republicans by waiting till
the last day to file contest, but they were
caught at it.
The following are expressions of opin
ions secured yesterday from Democrats
and Populists exclusively. Not man
was approached who did not condemn their
actions in language much more vigorous
than represented, No Republican was
asked for his opinion, the intention being
to convict the schemers by jury of their
own political brethren.
HE is NOT IN 1T.
A. e Helm, chairman of the Populist
county committee, was seen in his law
office in the Sedgwick block. When asked
for an expression of his opinion in the
contest matter, he said: The Populist
denounced the Republicans in this county
for contestng the election of Mr.. Ayers
when he had been fairly elected by the
votes of the people, and they have de-
nounced tue course of the Republican rail-
road commissioners for holding on to
their offices after they had been removed
by the executive council, and the course of
the canvassing board mas been denounced
III iSSuluR mcIlUtES thc
certificates who were never elected To be
CONSTANT they cannot row countenance
any proceedings having for its purpose
the reversal of the will Of the people So
far as am informed Mr.. Webb was fairly
elected to the Office of county commission
er. and speaking for myself | shall do
nothing to prevent him from taking the
office to which the people have elected
him, and l think it to be the unanimous
opinion of the members of the county cen
trail committee that he should be- per-
mitted TO take his office without IA con-
test. This is also the wish of the members
of the Peoples party generally so far as l
can learn. As l understand it the propos
ed contest is based purely upon technical
grounds and do not believe that any court
could be found to deprive Mr.. Webb of his
office for such reasons alone. If contest
is instituted it will probably be carried to
the Supreme court before final decision
is had aud unless l am very much mis-
taken in the character of the man, Judge
Allen of that court will join with the Re
publican judges in deciding the case in
favor OF the man who was elected by the
people.
PLAYING THE BABY ACT.
That distinguished Populist Chief of
Police Rufus Cone. said: Il pledge you