The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-09-03
AHARD BLOW STRUCK
At the Populist State Ticket by
Ben Henderson,
CHAIRMAN OF THE STATE CONVENTION

ing FOR 6fovsrnor-StIlI q POpulIst.
Ben S. Henderson Of Winfield, one OF
the most prominent Populists in the
state and the man who was chairman OF
the Populist state convention q few
short weeks ago ID now lighting Govern
or Lewelling and says he will hang bis
head in shame il Lewelling is elected
Henderson is an anti-fusion Populist
and wanted Lewelling turned down 10 the
convention. but did not make q fight be-
cause he saw a denomination was inevi-
table. He has now, however. written q
letter to Chairman Breidenthal announc-
ing that he will not support Lewelling.
BIN S. HENDE RsoN. ATTORNEY AT Law,
Wiz FIELD. kASsAs ,,..,,.,.l..-
WINFIELD. Kan. Aug IS 1894
Hon. John w. Breidenthal, Topeka,
Kan:
MY DEAR SIR AND BROTHER:
Under no circumstances do wish the
language used in this letter to
be twisted into the thought
that I am contemplating q 'sleaP"
from the POpulist party. Upon the other
hand I wish il understood that adhere
strictly TO the doctrine enunciated in the
New Declaration Of Independence,
adopted July d, 1892, by the Peoples
party national convention
some time ago I promised you that I
would speak at Marion on the 25th Of
this month; on the oath I wired you that
/ could not fill the engagement 1 also
promised you that in the latter part of
September I would engage In the cam
paiRn, speaking every day during the
month or October. This promise l can
not comply with, neither can I support
Governor Lewelling for the following
reasons, tO-wit:
The Penitentiary investigation.
First-Ihe present management Of the
penitentiary if a matter demanding the
careful and considerate attention OF all
true refOrmerG and Of every honest and
loyal citizen OF this state The warden
in his report points with pride to the
enormous amount OF coal mined under
his management but he fails to tell that
the man Hiatt who had the contract of
all the coal mined by convict labor was
the one who made the handsome profit
from the sale Of this coal and not the
state.
During the time that 50 much coal
was being mined by convict labor, Gov
Lewelling was encouraging the miners
of the state to stand firmly in their strike
for justice and at the same time making
1t impossible for them to win their strike
By taking convicts out Of the various
manufacturing departments Of the peni-
Tertiary by the score and putting them
In the mines, working both night and
day.
According to Warden Chase's recent
report, this wrong to the miners of the
state was done not only with Governor
Lewelling's knowledge, but with his con-
sent. Then again. thousands of Popu-
lists ia this state are anxiru for a fair
and honest investigation Of the charges
against Warden Chase, including his
brutal attack upon old man Mcdonald
They think IL Chase is innocent an
honest and fair investigation will do him
no harm. Upon the other hand, If the
charges are true, Chase should promptly
be removed from Office, and in so doing
Governor Lewelling would receive tine
commentator of every good citizen
Corrupt Police Boards.
Second-At the time 1 was talking
with you as to the part should take in
the campaign there were ramors afoat
that the police commissioners OF the
large cities were thoroughly corrupt
I did not then believe that the stories
were true, but believed there was some
ground therefor. This opinion / DOS
sessed at the time I was elected tempo
rary chairman of our state convention,
hence the reason I spoke so emphatical-
~ and determi ned upon the question of
woman suffrage, believing that the adop-
ton 81 that plank into our platform
would plainly indicate that the slum
vote and Influences were not wanted in
the Populist party
When Governor LewelIing accepted
the nomination Of that convention after
the adoption of our platform, I could not
believe that he knew the real facts of
the corruption in the large cities and
state institutions, assuming Of course that
he was honest and sincere at the time OF
his speech accepting the nomination.
1 was informed at the time of the con
ventlon that Governor Lewelhng would
thoroughly Investigate the charges not
only against the police commissioners Of
the cities Of the first class, but the
charges against Warden Chase as veal
and a. you know we'll a resolution was
offered 20 the convention de-
handing such investigation and with
drawn upon promise from the govern
or's friends that such invest CATION should
% made. assumed that this was true
aud gave no further thought to the dis
graceful charges of corruption and
Doodle made against Governor LEVEL
lng'a administration. conscientiously
believed that everything was moving
nicely aud that the governor was quietly
laying his plans for discovering corrup-
ten Ia Office, ''if any could be found
Justice Aliens Letter.
While 40 continuing my confidence in
Governor Lewelling, imagine. if you can.
TIE restlessness and uneasiness the shock
OF the publication of Judge Aliens letter
aave me- knowing him to be = cool, con-
.44erat@ and conservative man. and in his
letter was direct charge that Governor
1ewelling not only knew Of the corrup-
tlon OF the administration Of the officers
In the cities o. the first class, but.that he
sanctioned L.
This was more than 1 could stand.
can't believe that sour governor, il a.
honest and sincere as 1 thought him to
1s when he was renominated. Basinr in
4opeEa Few days thereafter, was ap-
preached BY Populists high up'1 in the
councils Of fha admfnfafraffor, - -