The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-04-09
R0EVES!
Most Shocking Disclosures Ever
known in History of Kansas.
Astounding Charges of ScOun'
drelism and Yenalityo
L. ID. Lewelling, at Present a
Railroad Commissioner
AND ONCEAGOVERNOR,
Accused of Receiving Pay for
His Vote and Influence.
Direct Charges Made With
Dates and Amounts.
HANNA, OF HILL CITY,
A Republican Ex-Representa-
tive, Also Accused.
Charged That He Received
$1,000 to Lobby.
Easy to See Now Why Bills
EsFailed to Pass.''
HANNA, OF HILL CITY,
A Republican Ex-Representa-
tive, Also Accused.
Charged That He Received
$1,000 to Lobby.
Easy to See Now Why Bills
"Failed to Pass.''

The revelations of betrayal of public
trust. of scoundreIly transactions, of
ve-.ality, of immoral character, of dis
reputable deals and official wickedness
made by members of the legislature
themselves before the bribery investi-
CATION committee now in session at the
state house. have never been equaIled
in Kansas, if anywhere.
The last legislature, according to
these witnesses, appears to have con-
tained more than the usual number of
scalawags, and they proved an easy
prey to the corporations and individuals
who sought to purchase them.
Every question of the investigating
committee uncovers lower and Sinner
depths of corruption.
Inc boodIing, according to the testf-
mony, IS not confined TO any one party
Members of both parties are involved.
AFTER concluding his testimony be-
lore the investigating COMMITTEES yes
terday afternoon, Representative Fair
child said:
want this statement to go into the
iasoI igSoIu ot thls investigation. appear
OS1oIe lhls committee as 4 voluntary
witness and do not ask and will NOT
receive g single cent for MILEAGE on. TaT,
oleIn. suggest to this COMMITTED thar
ie t1Iiuer the resolution as passed that they
lave no power to either compel the at
tendance of witnesses or To enforce
obedience to their orders 7 vo1I1d eo1,
1urther that the auditor of state cannot
a. asiu ousht not TO pay single dollar out
u thIs Iund appropriated for this purDOsa
because in my opinion he and bie
pondsmen Will be held responsfbIa fo1
Lhe sums paid out
a Or71T
VIII De that innocent men will he
Drought here and their characters viii
ce blackened, besmirched and r11ine1
ny incompetent testimony, far-fetched
CONCLUSIONS, hearsay and rIlmor on
the Other hand, the guilty parties he
cause OF the lack of power on the nar+
u lHe committee to enforce commit
anGe with its decisions, will escape
LiistNe t tIlIs suggestion at the conclusion
oI my testimony for the reason that had
done so before, the statement vvo111(1
nave Deen made. if not by this commit
zee, Dy some one else that I did not
~ l4t. 70 Iestlfy. However, shall be
III attendance as a volunteer witness
ana any assistance that I will be hIe
70 70 rehuer the committee will be gladly
done upon their request s-e--4S
Harry Lands, warden of tho .4,+.
penltenuary was the next witness
Asked what he knew with 1.efer-ar,o
10 alIeged charges of bribery. he said.
one DAY Lot Ravenscraft. a nne1obar
a
had been taken from a yvaete maLla.l mIlIcn
basket It was in references To fbe
school book bill. There vss ~ ~ "a ne
dress upon it, and no signature. do
per the contents of the com
AluAlcatlon except that it said. Hold
your forces in line 1t also co1+ainaJ
the question, How about Po4bTaiIa,9 =
tion? - 'iieI ln1orTna-
A.-None that I now recall
senator Householder blIrria7111 7,-,o+-
ling, who said: Aiii
- Dls 1t true that a proposition was
mace 10 you, or have Won anv iDfor,,,a
ton that a member of the Iae-ieI +ii..r &c.
MADE a proposition to you for fbe 49,
cnase se OF additional coal lands for the
state penitentiary. to be fo1io,I,el7 ne ne
4 olNls1on of the profits ~
A--Hes, there was sucr, a ,roroai
AloH made TO me verbally
" nat was the proposition9
q - sNNstahce as you have stated
Q.-Tell US what it was
=. A--11st such a deal could be made
III II II c@oulo @ pc made to appear that there
was necessity for the purchase 0f 49,
Q--What did you say?
Al doubted the statement tao,,,.-.
did not see the necessity for ad7itio,,oI
3alu i ana ui6 not believe that the leeis-
Q.-What was said cOncerpi1S-
vision of the profits2 liz III
A--NOthing that remember
Q--Te1 US what was said to vo,
At was intimated to me that there
was large amount of money in If if
the deal could be made. =
Q.-How much money was said +o ha
in it? - Ne
Al do not know exactly.
Q--What is your best recollection?
Al think the amount was S25.O 900.
Q.-Why do you not remember more
clearly?
A.-The principal reason is that I
paid no attention to the matter. 1 did
not believe that such a scheme could
be carried out and I did NOT INTEREST
myself
Odd you hear anything more after
A.-No, sir, did not.