The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-05-11
RAVENSCRAFT WANTED.
The Most Important Witness in
the Bribery Investigation
Is Now in New Mexico Buying
Cattle.
Ravenscraft Said tosEave Evidence
That Will Send Members of the
Legislature to the Penitentiary.

Some of the Populist legislators and
members of the party have raised the
question: why has the investigating
committee failed to summon Represen-
tative Ravenscraft of Clark county to
give the testimony about which he
made such frequent boasts during the
legislature ?'''
When the session was nearing the
close the bill making appropriation for
the work of the committee was under
cOnSldera ton in the house. Representa-
tive MckeeVer of this city chided the
Populist members upon their wild haste
TO lnaugurate an investigation He
said:
This investigation business is
fraud. You fellows over there profess
much interest in seeing it carried out
when all OF you know that it is a
scheme to WhiteWash a lot of transact
ions Which you fear will get out and de-
ME the purity of your party You will
be unable to secure evidence which will
convict, and the whole thing, if we
give you money TO carry it on, will be
Representative Ravenscraft occupied
a seat in the rear of the hall near Nc
keeVer. He advanced towards the
speakers stand and exclaimed:
I want to say to the members of this
house that if this investigation goes on,
l will give evidence before the commit
tee which will send more than one man
to the penitentiary. 1 assure you that
there is no necessity for whitewashing.
Ample evidence may be secured against
members and outsiders who have been
engaged in this nefarious business"
The committee to conduct the inVeS-
tigatiOn had been appointed some days
prior to this episode, and Mr.. Ravens
craft had been named as one of the
members. Following up the remarks
above quoted, he said:
I will not come to Topeka as a men,
Der of this committee 1 will not serve
as q member, but 1 will come as a wit
7 h f<av-
and want the committee to have the
appropriation.
When the committee was given the
appropriation, Speaker Street did not
appoint member to take Ravenscraft's
place When the committee assembled
and commenced work. RaVenscraft did
not appear When asked why the self
enulated witness had not arrived, the
chairman of the committee made this
explanation:
"Ravenscraft bargained for a large
herd of cattle before the session closed,
for delivery early in April. When he
went home, the market having taken a
rise, the man from whom he purchased
the cattle went back on his contract.
RaVenscraft left Immediately for New
Mexico to buy cattle and has not re-
turned"
.Wiu Ravenscraft be subpoenaed?"
Il think he will be here when he re-
turns from the western trip" replied
While there is considerable specula-
ton concerning the probable decision of
the court in the Davis habeas corpus
case, which viii either sustain or break
the committee. those interested in the
work which the committee has been
doing, are also inquiring whether or not
Ravenscraft will be permitted to stay
in Mexico" pending the conclusion of
the inVeStiga ton.
Chairman Outcalt takes the position
that if the investigation proceeds, in
the absence of other authority, he will,
as chairman of the committee, should
the evidence justify it, swear to COM
plants charging members of the leg
islature with corrupt practices.
4 doing this, ''he says, I will recon-
mend that the county attorney of Shaw
nee county bring criminal proceedings
against the parties. This will not be
done until after the investigation is
completed and the committee has had
time to weigh the evidence and ascer-
tain if sufficient cause exists for prose-
cution."
The committee adjourned to reas-
semble tomorrow. What will be done
remains an unanswered question, as
everything depends upon the decision
of the supreme court.