The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-08-15
THERE Is MALIGNITY IN 1T
Jake Admire on the Attacks Made on Gov
ernor Barnes by DE Ford.

Guthrie, o. T. Aug. H-Jacob Al
, n1ire of the Kingfisher Free Press has
editoriaaly summed up the Barnes-De
Ford matter. He says:
The, Free Press has watched the pro-
gress of the Barnes-De Ford-Orput-
Flynn gossip with interest So far il IS
rot known that any formal or authentic
charges have been made against Gov
ern0r Barnes. There is a runlor to that
effect. And yet, some Of our exchanges
ere clamorng for Governor Barnes to
make defense and clear his skirts. We
presume if any charges have been made
against the governor. and the president
considers them of sufficient importance
or seriousness 10 demand an eXplana-
ton, ne will notify the governor. Until
then, Governor Barnes is not called upon
to make any defense. Governor Barnes
enemies have overshot the mark.
And, yet, Governor Barnes has made
a statement in reply TO the newspaper
reports. He admits that after ne be-
came convinced that De Ford could not
be appointed marshal. he then under
took 70 aid him otherwise, and so ar
ranged for De Ford to have employ
ment in one Of the courts, and his son,
Harry, TO be employed in the marshars
office. Orput also, il is admitted, agreed
TO pay $3.50. or one-half the expenses al
legged to have been incurred by De Ford
in his candidacy. Under the circum-
stances, this would have been a liberal
proposition for De Ford. But De Ford
says that previous to all tbs, Governor
Barnes had demanded that, in case of
his appointment as marshal and his COM
,ensatiOn for the governors support, he
Ode Fordl should pay 800 per month out
of his salary. Governor Barnes denies
this part of De Ford's story, and so that
becomes mere question of personal
veracity between them.
De Ford convicts himself by his own
confession that he agreed 10 pay Gov
ernor Barnes 800 per month out Of his
salary for his support. But he convicts
nobody else His statement is offset by
Governor Barnes denial, and. besides
thai, any man who claims 20 believe this
part Of De Ford's story must go further
and say that ne firmly believes also that
Governor Barnes is an unmitgated fool,
because no nan who is not such fool
would. under the circumstances OF the
case. even seek 70 enter into such a cor
Tupt and shameless bargain.
That there is a whole heap of malig-
nifty in this whole mater is apparent
L is pretty we'll settled that If ne had
been let alone, De Ford would have
never told the stories which have been
made public. In the first place. crazed
10 any story Of wrong and bad faith, he
told his story. in confidence to Mr.
Flynn. Mr.. Flynn, in attempting TO pre-
vent the agreement in regard 70 the
from being carried out, re-
Heated De Ford's story 10 the attorney
general, and. then. in order TO verify ii.
De Ford was forced to go to the attor-
ney general and repeat the story. De
Ford claims that he did not intend to
make The story public. We very much |
doubt whether this matter will finally !
red own 10 Mr.. F'lynn's advantage
One thing is certain-Drobab more |
than one. De Ford has spent large |
sum Of money in his long campaign. |
He claims himself that he is financially |
ruined. He has certainly suffered great |
" in other respects. But he has los. /
AZ chances Of official recognition so far /
as Federal employment is concerned. |
Orput may not oe appointed marshal
the Free Press cannot see why he should |
may not be appointed judge. |
bat. if they are, no broader declaration
" the PRESIDENTS disbelief in De Ford's
s1ory could be made.
The Free praSS had for
With De Fords candidacy
or marshal. II sincerely regrets the
Unfortunate developments which have
made his appointment Impossible. He
has been the victim Of wicked circunl-
stances. For many weary weeks and |
months he was lead 10 believe that his
Ultimate appointment was beyond all |
question. We dii not know upon what
rounds he based his hopes. The pow
rs" al appeared 20 be in his favor. He