The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1897-11-10
CHARGES OF BRIBERY
Kansas Legislator Says tho Republic
can National Committeeman Of
fered Him ~ 500 and Then $I,OOU
for His Vote.

sensation which has created widespread
comment In the Kansas capital was
published here today. Representative
w. F. Brown, Popuhst, Of Pratt county,
chairman of the house railroad commit
tee and leader Of the fight to pass a
maximum railroad bill through the leg
islature last winter, says National Re-
publican Committeeman Cyrus Leland,
who was recently appointed pension
agent by President Mckinley, attempted
to bride him at two different times
during the session.
Mr.. Leland, Mr.. Brown says, was at
the head of the railroad lobby which
sought to prevent radical railroad leg
islation by the Populist legislature. It
is charged that he approached Mr..
Brown twice, the first time with an
offer of $500 and the second time
with $4,000 in cash, which he urged Mr..
Brown to accept and quit his fight.
Some time after the appointment of
the railroad committee and prior to
the senatorial election, it is said Mr.
Leland approached Mr.. Brown on the
railroad bill.
FIRST ALLEGED PROPOSITION.
"Now, Brown" began Mr.. Leland, II
want to talk some straight business
propositions with you. Of course, you
realize that legislatures are simply
money-making institutions for the poll
tician. While it would never do to let
the people realize this, nevertheless it
is fact. Now you are in position to
heel yourself good and plenty, and you
had better do it. You have worked hard
for your party without any very great
reward and now is your opportunity 1
will give you $500 if you will accept
the original Harris railroad bill and
use your influence with your commit
tee to do likewise"
Mr.. Brown says he neither refused nor
accepted the offer. His idea, he says,
was to continue leading Mr.. Leland and
the other members of the railroad lobby
on, in order to keep posted on their
plans and thus be enabled to block
their movements.
Later in the session, Mr. Brown says,
he was approached by woman, whose
name he gave with the request that it
be not published She told him, he says,
that she was authorized by the rail-
road lobby to offer him $500 if he
would accept the railroad bill which
had been introduced by Representative
Walter, of Labette county. He says he
gave her an indefinite answer for the
purpose of discovering the plans of the
railroad lobby.
Later, he asserts, she came to him
with another offer of 81, 900 if he would
clay down" in his fight for what was
known as the Brown or house bill. She
also made him another offer, he says,
this time of $4,000, if he would embody
a certain clause in his bill. He refused
the offer point blank, he declares, and
told her to go to the members of the
railroad lobby and tell them he had
only been leading them on; that hav-
lug O1oCONCACO IuC1l plans AC w do uOAC
with them, and there was no further
necessity for deception
OFFER OF $4,000 CHARGED.
Then, it is charged, Mr.. Leland again
approached Mr.. Brown, making him
direct offer of $4,000 if he would accept
the railroad bill, which would be passed
by the senate.
"You are in losing fight, Brown"
the latter asserts Mr.. Leland said.
Things have been fixed in the senate
and the stakes are set against you. It
is useless to hold out any longer. You
had better retire while you can do so
gracefully. You will have an oppor-
tunity of fixing yourself financially in
this railroad legislation. You had bet
ter do so while you have an oppor-
tunity.
CAS- 1 said before. things have been
fixed in the senate. The bills which
will be passed there will be satisfac-
tory to the railroads. Now, 1 will give
you $4,000 here tonight if you will
agree with me that you will accept the
bill as it comes from the senate and
not make any fight when the PROPOSE
ticn to substitute for your bill comes
up In the house.
"You can make a speech which will
square yourself with your constituents
all right enough. You can set forth
that you have made a vigorous fight for
the maximum bill, which you have, but
that majority of the members deemed
another bill better and you bow to the
will of the majority. Such a speech will
clear your skirts, set yourself Alright
before your people and at the same
time enable you to make $4,000, which
is a pretty good sum these hard times"
SAYS HE TOLD THE GOVERNOR.
Mr.. Brown says he refused Mr.. Lee
lands offer and left him to find Gov
ernor Leedy He says he found that
official at o'clock in the morning, told
him of the offer, and then and there
secured the governors promise to help
pass the house bill. Then it was the
full power Of the administration was
turned In favor of Mr.. Browns house
bill and against United States Senator
Harris bill, which was regarded as a
ct L~,k H. Ie Dot ~