Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1894-08-18
Out of Their Own Mouths.

The following letter, written by Asso-
ciate Justice Stephen H. Allen to Lieu
tenant Governor Percy Daniels on May
10Th, speaks for itself The letter is
written on the letter heads of the SUI
preme court; it says:
TOPEKA, KANSAS, May 18th, 1894
1t. Gov. Percy Daniels, Girard, Kan.
Ny DEAR COLONEL: am very
greatly disturbed about the political sit
uation, and had hoped to have an OPP
portunity to have talk with you. The
time for holding the county convention to
elect delegates is so near, that thought
best to write you a line, though L
wished quite as much to get your views
concerning the situation as to impart
my own.
1t seems to be generally conceded
that the drift of sentiment is all in IA
vor of the re- nomination of Governor
Lewelling and the other state officers.
If the people were cognizant of the facts,
and understood the kind of campaign
that must necessarily follow, I should
have no fears of serious mistakes being
made by the convention, but / do not
much idea of what is really going on.
You know there has been much talk
about the administration of affairs in the
large cities Within the past few DAYS
/ have learned, not from the enemies,
but from the friends of the administra-
ton, of circumstances showing that the
administration affairs in some, if
not all, of the cities of the first
class, is thoroughly corrupt, and that to
the knowledge, at least, of the COVER
nor. I have also been told of circum-
stances which tended very strongly to
indicate that this condition of affairs
meets with his sanction. / cannot bv
letter undertake to put together the va
rious things that [ have learned without
going out of my way at all to do so,
nor do I wish at present to name my
authorities.
In fact, | very much prefer not to
place myself in the attitude of an accu-
ser of anybody, and what I wish to sug-
gest to you, and wish all the people
could know, is that very serious charges
are now made, and that during the
campaign we shall unquestionably have
them to face. 1t is an open secret that
the prohibitory law has not been en-
forced in the larger cities You know I
am not, to draw it mildly, prohibition
crank, yet it is very easy for me to see
how readily corrupt practices become as
ISOLATED with systematic disregard and
violation of law.
Our opponents in the campaign can
start out with the clear and admitted
| Tho low, hoe
been generally disregarded in the larger
cities. I fear, also, that they can easily
show systematic boodiing by the police
| departments.
How much evidence will then be re-
! quired to convince those of our people
| who are especially interested in the en-
| forcement of the prohibitory law, that
the administration is directly connected
with all these practices? Worst of all
dread possible developments showing
direct connection of the executive office
with these matters. We nave all the
matters to defend that we can possibly
carry without having to meet charges
of corruption.
Some of my Linn county friends have
written me, inquirlng as to the practi-
| SdOAiey VI fIuOihS JOh AuhO az bAc
head of the ticket, and I think the dele
cation from our county would be very
glad to take that stand, though, Of
course, do not know who the dele
gates will be, nor under what instruc
tions they will come here.
hope the Crawford county delega
ton, which played very important par
in the Wichita convention, will not come
here with its hands tied by instructions
in favor of a re- nomination of the pres
ent state officers, but will be free to ac
as seems best after consultation will
those from other parts of the state.
OF course, do not wish what writ,
you to be made public, but 1 have NJ
objections to vour showing this letter t.
such of our discreet friends as you ma,
think best, if any. Very truly yours,
S. II. ALLEN.
!. Il