Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1894-10-19
EVIDENCE OF GUILT.

is TO be taken into consideration There are
always two sides to any question i'll controversies
two sets of witnesses, and conflicting testimony
In weighing the testimony of witnesses motives,
probability and character are things that may
fairly be considered in forming verdict.
In political contests, the people are the jury
and the duty of every voter to weigh the EVIL
dence for and against, analyze motives weieh
probabilities and search the character OF the
witnesses as to veracity, is binding requisite
in rendering just verdicts at the polls. voters
are not safe or intelligent citizens who accept as
true any charge made against political opPo-
nent unsubstantiated by convincing proof, SUCH
as could be used in a court of justice
It can easily be seen that the best man that
ever lived could not be elected to office II Votels
were so easily guled as to accept as true uilsuo-
stantiated charges.
Now. this brings us to the object OF this ar
ticle and that is to- in some measure, analyze
the charges brought against the Populist state
administration. Motives of opponents are iouho
in the desire to gain control OF the state Ill the
holding of the offices, and i'll revenge. Inc
present nominees of the Republican party had
the promise of the offices, from the ring, when
Kansas was 50 900 Republican, 10 reach the
Offices became a mania, intensified by the prob
ability of defeat, and, so, charges have been
promulgated, thick and fast, without the sane
precaution of making them even appear prop
able Then, the old ring of corrupt scounorels
have prided themselves on their smartness, ana
to be beaten by lot hayseeds and obscure men
was additional gall and worinwood to the loss OF
the Offices, and so bitter is the feeling II posi-
BILE. more severe pains would be imposed than
derivation of honors and emouments. No
charge coming from the old gang, under the
circumstances, should have any weight III max
nq ND verdict without proof; and as to proof,
not syllable of the charges would stand III a
court of Justice, even if the witnesses were YER
acious.
Pete Kline and Jim Legate are the principal
witnesses to the charge of boodling, and even II
the testimony was specific, Kline and Legate
would not be believed on oath i'll a court Ill
Hades. Senator Taylor wrote the letter that IS
quoted from before there was all investigation
by the legislature. Associate Justice Aliens
letter was a repetition of rumor The Bens-
Machett, Clover and Henderson-were III the
movement only for office, and, failing to get Of
fee, are only soreheads seeking personal re-
venge for imaginary Sights
There is absolutely no evidence to support the
charge of Encouragement OF our state institu-
tons that would not be laughed out OF court III
any civilized country on earth. The so-calied
Winfield ''horror," after a thorough airing, IS
no horror at all, but correct treatment OF GER
tain kind of disease, and the men who started
that story are now voted filthy lot OF lackasses
There is, so far as shown, an entire absence OF
motive OH the part of Lewelling for wrong-do-
ing. A second term rested upon faithful ful-
fillment of the duties of a first term, and even
if the Governor is as bad as painted, he would
unless devoid of common sense) have courted
the influence of men of higher standing than
Pete Kline or Jim Legate and, SO far as we
are able to Judge, our verdict is that Kline and
Legate were hired by Republicans to do Just
what they did, and are simply part of the
Republican campaign This becomes the more
apparent when it is considered that the charges,
if proven in court, would deprive the Governor
of his Office impose fine and imprisonment
and render him ineligible for office in the future
And this, too, is a strong point i'll rebuttal OF
the charges, for, if the charges were true, as
claimed, they could be proven and does any
one imagine that the Republican ring would
hesitate to prosecute if they could prove in
court what they so ostentatiousy charge by
their speakers and through the press? But,
supposing the Governor were guilty, would he
be as bad as the land thief, Morrill,? We think