The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-09-08
sr.c,a, Diena+cb tothe Daily Eagle.

Special Dispatch tothe DalIy Eagle
TOPEKA, Kan, Sept. 7.-Benjamin :.
Henderson of Winfield, author of the letter
published last week, in which the Popou-
list administration was held up to most
caustic criticism, has been interviewed.
Yesterday afternoon be was shown the
published statement of Senator House
holder, denying the statements made IN
his letter, and announcing his intention oil
beginning a libel suit soon. In reading
the article Mr. Henderson smiled, and tnen
said:
81 had no intention when / wrote the
letter to become engaged in controversy
with anyone. / simply did what Thought
to be my duty as member of the party
that won control of the state on the plea
OF reform. When became convinced that
the men in power were unfaithful TO their
trusts considered it my duty to raise nv
voice in protest. | had 10 idea then OF
even getting into controversy with Gov
ernor Lewelling, and simply mentioned
The incident of Senator Householder IN
justification of my letter. Now that both
lie and the governor have assailed me and
branded the statements as false, l am
Either compelled to prove them or rest
Under the imputation of being liar.
"Well, it would be foreign to my nature
to rest under that imputaJlon when can
nasily establish all I have charged. As to
the threatened libel suit, l knew what libel
was when wrote that statement and am
ready to meet every charge in is. Senator
Householder states in his denial that he
collected money from men appointed under
the administration and the board. What
L Il. l,,.Es A.T srrbf 70
Be doing political work when he was on
tours of official visitation7 The very fact
charged he admits, viz, that he collected
rampaign funds. Let him sue on the rest
of IT, But there will be no libel suit
brought against me. You can mark that.
Now, as to Governor Lewelling. Inas-
much as the men representing the ad min
istration nave begun personal attack on
me for the letter and are branding it as
false, l shall give them an opportunity to
show the people if they are true aud hon
EST in their talk. Within a few days /
shall write formal challenge to Governor
lewelling TO meet me in Hamilton hall in
Topeka at such time as may be convenient
10 him and deny the charges. If he will do
that and let the people, hose servant he is,
have his personal denial. / will promise to
demonstrate TO the same crowd with proof
tDab Will De SATISFACTORY anu con
yincing that there have been many
deals made in the state during his admin
istration in which there has been knowl-
edge, approval given and gain received by
the ADMINISTRATION. | shall give him an OPP
DsFtunity of coming before the people he
pretends TO serve and have some actions of
his administration held up 20 view
HE is the head of the reform admins
fration. His actions should require no
explanations. The people he serves have
rome rights to know if these charges are
true. They have been made many times
and have gone unchallenged. VIII Mr..
1ewelling want to 90 into the campaign
with unanswered challenges hanging over
his head He has allowed his men to be-
gin personalities when we were talking of
party politics and administration acts
The only plea he can have for reelection
Is the honesty of his administration. Will
he dare discuss il We shall soon see.
since tue letter | wrote was published
rome days since it has been endorsed by
Populists from all parts of the state
There are many men voting that ticket
who have some scruples OF hohor and do
not relish the charges of such outrageous
dishonesty as have been made against the
head of the ticket. They are inclined to
believe if they were wholly untrue as they
claim, there would be some one called 10
account. / have offered TO prove the
charges, and now IT the administration al
lows that TO go by they will have to an
swer to the people for 10 at the ballot box