The Topeka state journal., 1897-11-25
For the Purposes of Influence
ing Voters.
FRAUDULENT VOTES
Alleged to Have Been Cast in
Various Places.
Beer Kegs Empty and Beer
Kegs Full
viii be Placed in Evidence
When the Case Comes Up.

The answer of Porter s. Cook, in the
Ccok-Kepley contest for the office of
sheriff will be filed at o'clock this aft
ernoon and it is of a rather sensation
al order. It is voluminous, covering
over 20 pages of type written matter
While the attorneys for Mr.. Cook have
set out many claims of fraudulent vot-
ing, including 26 at the Reform school
and Insane asylum, the principal con-
tention will be over the claim that beer
and whisky were dispensed freely in the
interest of Sheriff Kepley
1t is claimed in the answer that there
was place where liquor was kept in
stock and upon an order properly given
and signed the liquor would be deliver
ed for use at the election.
The election law is particularly plain
on this subject and if it can be proved
that Sheriff Kepley gave away liquor to
influence votes, it will not only invali-
date any claims he may have on the Of
fee but viii make him subject TO a
heavy hne. 1t is upon this statute
that the attorneys principally rely. They
have had trustworthy men at work for
some time collecting evidence and
claim that they will be able to prove
that liquor was freely used.
1t seems that the Republicans were
suspicious that liquor was being used
and they claim that by some agency
they secured one of their orders to take
liquor to a political meeting. The or
der was honored, the liquor was loaded
INTO an express wagon ana starred on
It's way. Ihe wagon never reached ITS
destination, however. It was stopped in
an alley and the beer was unlOaded and
kept for evidence.
T. +. DOran has worked INCREASINGLY.
He drove into the country a few days
ago and found several empty kegs
which he will offer in evidence when the
time comes with proof that they con-
tanned liquor which had been used in
the election in the interests of Kepley.
In speaking of the matter Attorney
DOran said: while the contest is on
we thought we might as we'll do it right
and show what we are able to prove"
The section of the law upon which the
attorneys rely is as follows:
1T shall be unlawful for any candf-
date at any time to give away any in
toXicating liquors with intent to infiU-
ence the vote of any person or persons;
or to employ or authorize any other
person to give away any such liquors
with such intent; or to purchase, pro-
cure or pay for, directly or through
given away with such intent; or to pay
for, either before or after election, any
such liquors which shall have been Civ
en- away with such intent
It is claimed that under the recent de-
ciSiOn of the supreme court the en-
plOyes at the state institutions had no
right to vote in the precinct in which
the institution is situated but should
vote in the precinct in which they lived
before they We're appointed. A challen-
ger was stationed in POtWin and when
employees at the asylum came they were
promptly challenged. They almost all
''swore in their votes and the names
of those who voted have been secured
and the contest board viii be asked to
throw out the votes.
In the fourth precinct of the Second
ward Irregularities are claimed The
judges failed to put their initials on
the tickets.
There will be an interesting time
when the contest comes up and Mr..
Cook commences on proof of the sensa-
tional charges made in the answer. 1t
is claimed that it viii involve some wei
known politicians.
Judge A. H. Horton has been retain
test.