The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-06-16
Formal Request to Be Made to
LeWeIling
That He Resign From the Rail-
road Board.
His Party Has Lost Confidence
in Him.
HIS CONTINUATION
In Office More. Than the POpu-
list Administration
Can Bear Up Under, Since Re-
cent Exposures.

Ex-Governor dwellings general de-
NAL of charges of official crookedness
and corruption during his career as a
member of the senate last winter, as
developed by the legislative bribery in
Vestigating committee, will not as he
expected, save him from the wrath to
come, and the indications are now that
he viii be removed, or given the priVi-
Iege of resigning.
The next regular meeting of the exec
utlVe council at which business of this
character may be taken up will be held
June 80. Unless State Superintendent
Stryker fails to keep his word he will,
al Ihat meeting, introduce a resolution
demanding Railroad Commissioners
dwellings resignation or removal as
the council sees fit to determine.
Mr.. StryAer says: IF no other mem
Der of the council will take the respon-
slbility of such action, 1 Will do it and
will present resolution demanding the
resignation of LeWelling, or it might be
better stated-his removal
Mr.. Lewelling was elected by the
votes of Governor Leedy, Attorney Gen
eral Boyle, State superintendent Stry-
ker and Auditor Morris. Secretary
Bush and Treasurer HefleboWer stood
out against LeweIing, and Mr.. Bush
entered upon the records of the council
proceedings a protest against the cleo
ton of LeWelling.
Mr.. Bush protested against Level
Hng's appointment, as he says:
Because 1 believed that Lewelling
was not the right man for the place.
The people of the state, I believed then,
as believe now. regardless of party,
had lost confidence in Mr. Lewelling,
and I did not think it good policy for
the administration to put man of that
character in the place.
I also objected to dwellings ap-
pOintment because he was a member of
the legislature. I was opposed to plac-
ing members of the legislature in other
positions"
stThat evidence before the legislative
committee confirms my opinion, which
is of record, concerning Mr.. LeWeIling.
In the event such a resolution being
presented to the council 1 would sup
port it"
Treasurer Hehebower, who opposed
Lewelling's election as member of the
board of railroad commissioners, today
said:
Il am not prepared at this time to
discuss the subject of his removal. If
there is anything presented to the cOun-
ell in support of the resolution to de-
mand his removal, I will support it.
That is all can say about the matter
now
It is generally believed that Governor
Leedy favors the removal of Lewelling,
although he declines to discuss the mat
ter for publication.
One of the governors close friends
assured the Journal that at the proper
time Leedy would vote for dwellings
removal, but the governor disclaims
having made any such statement. He
said this morning:
The report of the investigating COM
mittee is on my desk there" pointing
to a pile of manuscript. I have not
examined It, have not looked into it and
am not prepared to express any opinion
whatever as to the charges made
against Mr. Lewelling. I do not care,
either, to try the case in advance. If
the resolution demanding dwellings
resignation is presented to the council
7 Of q in
dispOsing OF it. It might be postponed.
or it might be adopted. I cannot tell
now what will be done"
Auditor Morris has never entertained
a great amount of reverence for the
investigating committee. He is a law
yer and believed that the committee
would be declared powerless by the
contempt proceedings. He does not
place much reliance in the testimony,
or, as he terms it, statements made be
fore the committee" Asked if he would
support a resolution to demand Level
Hng's removal, he replied:
Not unless I was convinced that he
is guilty of the charges"
DO you believe that he is guilty?"
4 do not know was the reply, ''and
until I know absolutely that Mr.. Lew
elling is guilty 1 would not think of
taking such action"
Has the matter been presented to
you?"
1T has not
do you believe Mr.. Lewelling should
be remOVed?"
IF he is guilty, most assuredly do
What do you think will be done?
4 cannot answer that, because I
know nothing whatever about the mat
ter. I presume that persons who will
present the resolution to the council
will be prepared to show why Level
ling should be removed. If any evil
dence is presented to sustain such de-
mand I will support it without reserva-
ton. But until that is done I have
nothing to say"
Concluding his remarks Mr.. Morris
said. 4 do not know of any reason
why Mr.. Lewelling should be removed
from his position. However, if he should
be proven guilty, then am ready to
act but until the evidence is forthcom-
ing and is positive, I will not make up
my mind against him. do not believe
in prosecuting any man and think spe-
cific and not general and prejudiced
charges should be made. When charges
are made there should be evidence sup
porting them. Gossip should not be
entertained as evidence, nor statements
of men taken as testimony
Mr.. Lewelling was not in the Office
today, as usual, and could not be seen.
Mr.. Stryker and Mr.. Boyle are also
out of town.
Dana Not q Candidate.
A W. Dana says he has had the SEN