The sun., 1894-10-01

DID Not Get what Hc Paid For
Dealt with the Repubncaas Also and
Tells o Remarkable story-Ths PoIiti-
cians Refuse to Bribe lHim to Keep Silent
TOPEKA, Kan, Sept. 3o.-The Republican
State Central Committee to-day gave out q
letter written by Peter w. Kline, n notorious
lottery and policy shop man Of Kansas City,
telling of the sum OF money paid by
him to representatives Of Gov. Lewelling
and to Attorney General Little in per-
son for protecting him In his illegal business on
the Missouri state line. Klines experience
with the Populists dates back to December.
1892 a month prior TO the advent of the new
administration.
At that time he alleges that he was approached
by James F. Legate, who had taken prominent
part In the Popullst campaign, and Informed
that in consideration Of the payment OF $1,000
to him he (Filine) would be permitted
to name the Police Commissioners for
Kansas City, Kan, and that the Governor would
appoint them. Later he saw Fred J. Close, the
Governors private secretary, who informed him
that Legate had the authority to negotiate
the proposed deal, and that anything that
he promised for the Governor would be
carried out. Upon Closes representation
he paid the money to Legate. expect
ing that when the Commissioners were
appointed he would have monopoly of the
gambling and lottery business in that city.
The appointments were not made at the
time agreed upon, and n. F. Acres, an
associate of Kline, called upon the Gov
ernor for explanation, and was told
that the Commissioners would be appointed In
short time This promise was not fulfilled. and
finally Legate again called upon Kline and told
him that the Governor would require the pay
ment Of an additional 81 500 before he would act.
Kline procured the money and came to Topeka
to see the Governor personally, but instead of
meeting the Governor he again met Close, and
with him Attorney General Little and Legate.
Again Close assured him that the matter
would be all right when the additional money
was paid, and he thereupon handed the 81 800
over to Legate for the Governor and Attorney
General.
After this Close often visited Kline in
his office In Kansas City. always offering
excuses for not having the appointments
made, and at last made proposition
to Kline to secure for him the exclusive gam
bling and lottery privileges in the cities of
Atchison, Leavenworth, Fort Scott, and
Wichita, for a consideration OF 81, 900 a month.
Legate accepted this proposition and paid
Close S100 on account. but never received the
privileges. At this time Mr. Adkins appeared
upon the scene.
He was employee of Kline In one OF the
latter's policy shops, was very poor, and
ceived for his services $40 per month. He as
serted that he was q relative of the Governor,
and went to him with a proposition TO paw
$4,000 per month. the money to be contributed
by the llttery companies for protection by the
State officials. Adkins was referred to II. l..
Adkins was appointed deputy OIL Inspector,
and Is now rich man, living in one of the best
residences in Kansas City, and being the owner
of a large amount Of valuable property.
lie is esnssieted the king OF the lottery men
uCllecting $1,000 MONTH !
authorities a1 had had no intent "a of keeping their
However, he entered into correspondence with
the Louisiana Lottery Company, which was anx-
ious to have the Kansas CITY lotteries go out of
business
them driven out of the state for $4,000 OF this
sum $4,000 was paid down and he sent 81, 900
of II TO the Attorney General. who shortly after
began proceedings In the courts against the lot
terry men, but he never pushed them and they
Kline asserts that the Attorney -Ci eneral ac-
proved OF the written contract which he had
which provided that of the $4,000 Little was
Kline says that the prosecutions were dropped
because the local lotteries raised bigger pot,
Several other minor deals are told of by Kline
in his letter. II Is asserted that the Republican
State Central Committee paid Kline and his
partner Acres $500 for the letter and affidavits.
TO Topeka, and, telling Chairman Bredenthal
of the documents prepared by Kline. said that
they could be suppressed on payment Of 900.
tion, and they came again ON last Wednes-
day, when the State officers were In the
S hs fo des wha h.m snd
day Kline and Acres had private meeting with
Chairman Lelan OF the Republican Committee,
the result of which was the exposure given ou;