The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-05-12
CHEWS THE RAG.
A. w. Smith Still Fills the Air
With Cuss Words
About Cy LELAND, But He Won't
Sue for Libel.
MIR. SMITH is TOO OLD
He Says to Bring Libel Suits
for Such Things.
Says He is Neither for Nor
Against Morrill,.
IR. SMITH is TOO OLD

Unless Mr. Leland enlightens The
people of Kansas upon the personal
controversy between himself and
Farmer A. w Smith within short
time. there will probably lie mole fun
in Kansas politics than the state has
seen in a long time.
Farmer Smith is in Topeka today
and is keeping rather quiet but evil
IDENTIFY has something on his mind
which VIII bring things to a showdown
between himself and the DOniphan
boss sooner or later. When a State
Journal reporter met him this morn
ing and asked him if he had any thing
more to say relating to the cOntrOver-
sy, Farmer Smith said:
IF do. it will be on the principle of
a certain boy, about whom I once heard
a story. and which is forcibly recalled
to my mind in connection with this
matter.
The boy was caught kicking a dead
dog with a peculiar sort of viciousness-
The father OF the boy asked him why
he insisted on kicking the dog after
it was dead The boy then replied that
this dog was a very mean dog in life.
and that he wanted to teach him that
there was punishment after death.
How about the application" was
asked.
II think" said the far-famed agrf-
the application is altogether too patent
to necessitate an explanation.
II reiterate with emphasis" said the
+ armer few minutes later, that
Mr. Leland lied, and he knows he lied,
when he made that statement about a
deal duplicating me reserve the
right. however, to my own opinion as
to whether Cy Leland would be able
to recognize the distinction between
truth and falsehOod if he should meet
them upon a highway.
land is false, malicious, made with
malice aforethOught and absolutely,
unqualihedly and unreservedly a It's
sue Of lies"
rs there any truth in the runor that
you are to bring suit for libel against
Leland2"
Il consider that when remember I
am fifty two years Of age and have
never been obliged to resort to The
strong right arm of law to defend my
self, always being competent to take
care Of mum her one, that I will not seek
NlndlcauOn at this late day through
legal proceedings. No, there will be no
libel suit; and the manufactured state
ment that there viii be was made of
whole cloth and no foundation for It,
Il shall secure my vindicatiOn, if
need any, by and through other chan
nels than the courts"
The impression has prevailed since
Mr.. Smith gave out the interview in the
morning paper about two weeks ago
which excited Cy Leland to such a
pllCn LndL ne QlIeCLeQ MS maIeQ1cT1On
toward the doughty DIcPhersOnian, that
the letter meant to say that he was
supporting Governor Morrill, in the fight
! for governor this year. In accusing Mr..
Leland of treachery, the general Opin-
ion has prevailed that Smith was for
Morrill, for denomination In reference
to this, and in reply to questions asked
him. Farmer Smith said
Il regret that such an opinion or i'm
preston prevailed. certainly did not
mean to convey such an impression,
and am glad now of the opportunity of
discussing the minds of any who re-
garded my interview in such a light as
an endorsement of Governor Morrill, in
his fight for denomination.
MY sole idea was to accuse Cy Lee
land of treachery. for if there is any
/ thing in politics for which I have an
abhorance, it is political treachery.
have seen examples of it personally
did. On the gubernatOrial situation I
am non-cOmmittal, and meant to ex-
press myself as being SO. I did not in
tend to put myself in the light Of oppos-
/ ing Governor MOrriu's denomination.
but far from it. L did not mean to en-
! dorse him nor to aid him in the fight. I
repeat it, I am absolutely nOn-c commit
tai on the gubernatorial fight"
In regard to the Higgins story as it
4 appeared in a Kansas City paper a
week ago, Mr.. Smith said:
THAT story was practically correct.
except in perhaps a few minor de-
tails. Bill Higgins can remember the
matter and his interview at Kansas
City was but little. if at all, at variance
with the correctness of the matter