The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-05-17
DENoUNoE LEwEL11NG.
Wichita Populists Severely Criticise
the Ex-Governor and Uphold
Governor LeedY.

Wichita, May 1.-THE POpuliSts of
this county held a. mass convention
here Saturday for the purpose of in
1errOgating Senator LeWelIing and the
representative from this county with
reference to their action in the last leg
1sIature on maximum freight rate leg
1slatiOn.
The result of the proceedings was the
adoption of a set of resolutions com
mending the action of those who voted
for such stock yards, school book, in
Surance and railroad legislation as
was in harmony with POpulistic princi-
pies, and cOndernning those who worked
for legislation in accordance with their
own peculiar views; indOrSing Gov.
Leedy for his veto of the senate rail-
road bill, and calling upon the governor
to gather around him the wise and hon
est men of the party to frame an honest
and just maximum freight rate law.
The last article in the resolution re-
quests that the governor get up an ad-
miniStratiOn maximum freight rate bill
with the aid of the trusted and able
friends and present it to the people,
and then if he is satisfied that it can be
passed, he is requested to call the legis-
nature together for that purpose.
The last legislature was scored I'M
anercifully in some of the speeches, and
IN nearly all of them Senator Lewelling
became the target for keen innuendOes.
Col Nick Bird, one of the old time
Populists, created a sensation by an
Rrraignment of Mr.. LewelIing.
Col Bird has been i'll and was very
weak, but he made one of the most bit
ter speeches that has ever been listened
to here.
He said he regarded the maximum
freight rate bill as a feasible thing and
that people demanded its enactment
but Mr. Lewelling had notably and sue
ceSS1uIly eVaded what he knew to be
mis- duty in failing to support it.
He said: THE people have been told
for years that if they had the governor
and both branches OF the legislature
they could pass a maximum freight
rate bill
I tell the gentlemen who failed to
enact such a measure, that they have
been guilty of a betrayal of confidence
and of political malfeasance-
I charge the inefhciency of the party
TO carry out its promises
These gentlemen come to US with
excuses. I tell you the people will not
feed on excuses.
LAS to the proposition to call an ex-
ira session, would say there is moth
3ng more OdiOuS than to make a man
do what he is opposed to doing. Why
shall the dog be asked to return to his
VOmit2''
Mr.. Lewelling offered a defense in
which he cited his first message to the
legislature when he was governor to
show that he was consistent in all his
actions as senator touching railroad
legislation. He said that he had lived
30 years with a reputation for honesty,
but now in his declining years he was
charged with political corruption and
bOOdHng. He denied his guilt, but add
ed that it was a difficult matter to
prove a. negative.
He added: i am not here to make
an apology. did not ask this position
at your hands. You forced me to rep
resent you
Ex-GOv. Lewelling then stated volun-
farily that he would resign the Office OF
senator before the next election. AS
Representative Rutledge stated that if
the legislature is called again, the del
egation would vote for a maximum
freight rate bill one seriously indignant
.POpulist created merriment by shout
ing: IF you don't, we will hang you. "
Every speaker expressed the greatest
confidence in the honesty and integrity
tlof Gov. Leedy. The sentiment was very
pronounced in his favor.