The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-05-02
HE ADMITS IT.
Gov. Morrill, Practically En-
dOFses Cy Leland's Charge
That Smith Offered to With
draw for $1,000.
BUT QUALITIES 1T BY
Saying That He Did Not See
the Nan
VIM. Higgins Said to Have
Made Negotiations.
IF CHARGES ARE TRUE
lit Shows That Barter and Sale
Prevailed
In the Republican Camp in a
Shameless Manner.
II CHARGES ARE TRUE
lit Shows That Barter and Sale
Prevailed
In the Republican Camp in a
Shameless Manner.

The sensational charge made by Cy
Leland against Farmer A w Smith
is the all absorbing topic Of converse
tion ia political circles today. Mr.
Smith has vigorously denied the charge
made by Leland and brands it as ma
ncious falsehood. while Governor Nor
rill does not sufficiently remember
whether or not the story of Leland is
correct, though he does admit q partial
knowledge Of a proposition made to
Leland by a friend of Farmer" smith
Mr. smith wired the following denial
of the story to a morning paper last
night:
Mcpherson. kan. May 1.
A. correspondent has just handed me
q copy of Mr.. Leland's S interview, chara5-
ing me with making q proposlton 10
stay out of the race for govern against
morrill, In 1894, provided MOrrlu W0ulQ
pay my campaign expenses of 1892. and
also that i made a proposition to keep
out for that amount at the Grand Army
encampment at Newton in February
1894
MIR Leland's statement is q willful
and malicious falsehOOd. never at
any time or under any circumstances
offered to stay out of the campaign
against Morrill, for a money cOnsidera-
ton Neither did ever authorize
anyone TO make such a proposition for
me.
I'm conclusion want to refterate and
emphasize that Mr. Leland lies and he
knows he lies. A w SMITH"
Governor Morrill, was seen by a Jour
nal reporter, who asked him about his
knowledge of the Leland charges
against Smith.
IF Mr. Leland would only be more
specific" said the governor, and recall
some particular incident ia connection
with the time. might remember some
thing more about the matter than
I do.
"As it is. the question of the entire
truth the statement made DW MIR.
Leland is not sufficiently clear to my
mind Yet it appears to me that in
q charge of such moment, and made
by MIR. Leland Of all persons, it must
be true Leland is 2. man who is care
full in what he says and a man of alb
solUte truth in his statements"
Then you practically admit the truth
of the charges 2"
No" said the governor, mot en-
tirely. I do not recall the occasion
of which Mr.. Leland speaks, though I
might if L had something with which
to associate it. 7 think, though, that
inasmuch as I believe in Mr.. Lelands
accuracy of statement in general. there
must be something in it,
1T do recall however one thing in
connection with the Newton encamp-
ment- A personal friend came there
to Mr.. Leland and told him that for a
consideration of $500 Mr.. Smith might
be induced to withdraw from his can
didacy for governor did not see
the man, put know this to be a fact" -"
1T is generally understood among the
politicians that ia 1894 at the Newton
encampment. Bill Higgins q close
personal and political friend of
Farmer Smith, Went to Cy Leland
and stated that Smith would be pulled
off the track for $500 cash.
smith was not actively making a can
vass for the nomination at that time.
but was considered as having a desire
to be the nominee Of the party for
gubernatorial honOrs again. as he had
been defeated in the election of 1892
HIGGINS SO Lle story EOeS+COlQ Leland
that one reason he was interested in
the matter was because Smith owed
him $1,000 which ne never had any
hopes of getting unless this cash offer
which he made to Leland would be ac-
cepted by Leland and Morrill, The
story does not implicate Governor Nor
rill though he is supposed to have been
cognizant Of it through being informed
by Cy Leland. The governor. however.
was not in the conference between Le-
land and Higgins