The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-09-17
no CARRY on THE FIGHT.
Ben Henderson VIII stump Against Lew
cling and Little.

cling and Little.
Colonel Ben Henderson, of Winfield,
who wrote the sensational letter charg-
ing Governor LewelIing with standing IN
with the Kansas City joint keepers and
working against the coal miners III the
recent coal strike, is IN the city. He says
that his errand is purely of a business
nature and that there il nothing what
ever political connected with his visit
To a JOURNAL reporter he said: 81
suppose it Is rather dangerous for me to
come here. have made proposition
to Mr.. Breidenthal to meet Governor
Lewelling face TO face. first at Topeka,
and then at Pittsburg, where we would
discuss the miners strike and his action
in working the cOnvicts against the stri-
kers Then we were to go to Kansas
City and have public investigation Of
the police power. l would tell him of
the deals Of which he has knowledge if
ne would accept my proposition. l have
heard nothing IN reply"
Are you prepared to prove your
charges?" asked the reporter.
- % sir. LII 1 had not been able to
prove them 1 would not have made them.
l intend at any rate TO make some
speeches and will pay all the expenses
myself, when 1 will go into the details of
the charges / made in my letter l will
make the first speech in Topeka at a
date not yet fixed The abuse and will
fication of these people here in Topeka
has driven me to this. l tell you the
honest truth when l say that l did not
expect my letter to make stir among
the PopuIists. They had talked that
way 10 me more than once themselves,
the dirty towards"
ain your speeches will you attack the
entire state administration!
mo. sir. 1 am against Lewelling and
Little because of their Infamous scoun-
drelism- l have nothing to say against
the rest of the ticket l consider Biddle
as honest man as ever lived and abso-
lutely pure. l shall advocate straight
Populist doctrine and woman suffrage in
my speeches. | am Popullst and will
devote myself to the principles of true
reform. One year ago was selected by
tempt of the Republicans to steal
votes in Cowley county and to now
60 into the field and support Lewelling
in face of the charges of corruption
would be inconsistent with my former
action"
"How do you excuse your action in the
state cOnventiOn?" asked the reporter.
"If / had known what has since been
proven to me-" replied Col. Henderson,
II would have opposed Lewelling with
all the influence l could muster. At that
time / had no idea that the charges made
against him were true. thought they
were political fakes and gave them no
attention"
you were for Gov Lewelling in the
convention. we're you not!'
Eyes, but it was because there was no
other candidate. While my delegation
was uninstructed it was understood that
they would vote for LeWelling.
@Did the Republican state central com
mittee pay you for your lettersf" asked
the reporter.
mo, sir; not cent" replied Colonel
Henderson. 81 mailed several copies of
the letter on August 81 to my Populist
friends throughout the state after had
received a telegram from Breidenthal
asking me to meet him in Topeka |
did not know they had the letter until
saw it published in the Wichita Eagle"