Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-11-30
IN THIS WAY THREE POP PIE-EAT.
ERs SECURED OFFICE.
GOVERNOR NOT so SUPREME.
WHEN THESE FAITH-
FUL THREATENED TO FIGHT.
How Leedy flushed Expose of Coal OIL
Inspectorship Scandal, Suppressed
Another Attack and Headed
on n MIddle-Of-the-
Road Move.

Topeka, Kas., Nov. 29.-(Special.) Gov
ernor Leedy has fallen down in his efforts
to maintain reputation as a "bullheaded'
official. When he was first inaugurated he
penned a letter to the supreme court. order
I'M, 1t to advance certain case on the
docket. In the letter he informed the
judges that he was the supreme executive
power of the state He afterwards did
other things as foolish, among them re-
frsing to consult his political associates
concerning appointments or the policy to he
pursued in dealing with various political
questions. He wanted everybody to know
that he was the only pebble on the beach,
and that they must approach him on bend
ed knee. Strange to say, the great major
ity of his appointees and a vast number of
Populist pie hunters did it. But there were
three Pops who refused to bow to Ibis SUI
preme executiveness." They called his
bluff, and. as n consequence, all three are
now holding lucrative jobs under the ad-
ministratiOn.
They are Frank Elliott. Judge c Z.
Foote and James Butler. Elliott wanted to
be state coal oil inspector, but Leedy
turned him down and appointed L. V.
Wharton, who wrote to a brother-in-law
during the campaign of 1896, telling him to
do all he could for Leedy, for If he was
elected Wharton would get the doodle
position Elliott was made deputy in
spector. He did not like the way things
were going, especially when he received
notice from the chief inspector to quit IN
specting but to put in a voucher for his
salary just the same, and when he was
further notified by branch houses OF the
oil trust that they had received instruc-
tions not to show any deputy coal oil in
spector their books he concluded to open
heard of his intention and wired him to
come down to Topeka before opening up.
Elliott replied that he was too busy.
St. Joseph to meet Elliott at midnight and
was at that meeting that the governor
insisted on Elliott taking the position of
The governor said he didn't like Fleharty
anyway. Elliott accepted the place and
his threatened oil inspection scandal was
Judge Foote worked hard for Leedy dur
ing the campaign and at the proper time
dpRed dpRn He nay beesme wTay
told the governor that the stuff was all
or and to count him as being In favor
of the nomination Of some other Pop for
interviewed a couple of times and was at
work writing a scorching. story on the
or in The see
nal. when the governor became alarmed
and had McNall appoint him an expert"
to go back East and Inspect" insurance
several weeks and every company that
has put up the inspection fee has been
reported to the Kansas insurance depart
ment by him as being in excellent condi-
tion. He just finished examining a big
New York company Saturday and it is said
that he will soon be home now to stump
the state in favor of the denomination Of
Leedy. Business has been very good with
him and he will pay his own expenses in
making his canvass.
The third man to force Governor Leedy
to come down of the roost was James But
Ter. of Topeka. Butler is a loud mouthed
Pop. and after being turned down for a
half dozen or so offices, he bui4t a little
fire under Leedy. 1t kept growing until
the governor saw that something had to
be done to quench 1t. Butler was work.
ing up sentiment for a straight Populist
ticket next year and the idea seemed quite
popular. Leedy sent for Butler and made
him a grain weigher in the state grain
inspectors department at Kansas City,
Kas. Now Butler is. for Leedy.
While Elliott, Foote ard Butler are now
holding official positions and are admins
tration men. they are not falling to their
knees every time Leedy comes in sight.
They know that they got their jobs by
calling the governors bluff and they pro-
pose to hold them by the same tactics.
They are the only appointees who abso-
lutely forced the governor to give them
places. Others now propose to follow suit.