The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-04-21
LEEDY is HOT.
He Will Investigate the Con-
spiracy Charges
Made Against the Oil Inspector
and Deputies.
WILL FIRE THE CROWD
If Convinced the Story of Their
Schemes is True.
Will Appoint New Men Every
Week if Necessary.
WILL FIRE THE CROWD

Governor Leedy will investigate the
alleged conspiracy existing among the
state oil inspectors to ride on railroad
passes and charge the state mileage,
and the further reported combination
existing among the four men to draw
the salaries of six, all of which was
exposed in the Journal Monday even
ing by an interview with E. NJ. VIII
holt, manager OF the Standard Oil COM
pany in this city.
DR.. E. V. Wharton, the chief in
spector, arrived in the city yesterday,
expecting to see Mr. Elliott, who gave
away the secret but the latter was not
in Topeka. He arrived today, and if
an opportunity is offered will appear
before the governor and make ''ex-
plantations"
Governor Leedy declined to discuss
the matter for publication, saying that
he had no knowledge concerning it,
and also declined to state what action
he would take were the statements
made by Mr.. WilhOit found to be true.
However, to a close friend the COVER
nor said yesterday morning;
I am going to investigate this whole
thing, and if 1 find that any such a
com binatiOn has been entered into by
those inspectors I Will fire the whole
crowd
Both Mr. Elliott and Mr. Wharton
decline to discuss the subject until
they see each other.
In discussing the exposure made by
the Journal to another prominent mem
Der of the party, the governor is re-
ported to have said:
If any such transactions as these
take place under this administration I
will dismiss every man who engages in
it. [ propose to have the various de-
partments of the states business taken
care of and 1 will put new men in the
places every week until find some one
who can do the work"
This affair has caused a sensation
among the Populsts and has made the
state officers indignant. As yet no
explanation has been offered and the
whole affair seems shrouded in mys-
terry, which no one attempts to fathom.
1t is the general sentiment at the
capitol that if any attempt has been
made at a conspiracy as sugg~ sted by
ElIiott'S statements reported through
Wilhoit that the governor should use
summary measures in disposing of the
officials who have engaged in such
conduct
One of the state officers said to a
Journal reporter today:
When the governor calls Elliott on
the carpet to explain this matter, 1T
will be denied, 1 presume, as the tes1-
mony in the Investigations has been
offset I believe that the governor
should call Wharton, Wilhoit and Eli
oft into his office and give them all a
chance to explain. This IS matter
OF so Inucn lIupOL ld1lCO lIAdlL II SALOdAA
not be overlooked. If these men have
been rnisrepresented, then Wtlhoit
should suffer. If he has told the truth
about Elliott and the conspiracy, the
governor should throw the whole crowd
ont of office. not only as a rebuke to
their conduct. but as a lesson for
others who may be placed in position
where similar opportunities are offered
to betray the honest Populists VINO are
cOnscientiOusly making an effort to
faithfully discharge the duties Of the
offices to which they have been ap-
pointed"