Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-05-06
ALBERT GRIFFIN RIDES ROUGHSHOD
OVER l.. ID. LEWELLING.
DEMANDS THAT HE RESIGN.
HOLDS HIM GUILTY OF ALL THAT
HAS BEEN CHARGED.
Says He Should BE Removed From Of
fee IL He Refuses to ResiGn-At-
tack Is Another Broadside
in PopuIist Fac
tiOnal War.

Topeka. Kas. May 5.-(Special0 The
Topeka Independent, n Populist paper, the
first issue of which came out to-day. made
Il savage attack on Ex-Governor Lewelling.
The paper is edited by Albert Griffin, FORM
erly editor of the Manhattan Nationalist.
The Lewellins roast follows:
THE facts brought out by the legislative
investigation leave no reasonable doubt as
to Mr.. dwellings guilt. The idea that
such men as Harry Lands and Senator II
tus would maliciously invent such accusa-
tions for the fiimsy reasons Mr.. Lewelling
suggests is too silly TO deserve mo-
|ment's consideration. And. unfortunately
for the accused, he has been under clouds
|of suspicion for four years, and prominent
|Populists, of admitted integrity who
|would prefer to believe otherwise say that
1.-THE half has not been told.
Two courses are now open to Mr.. Lew
ellinS. The most manly and honora Dle one
is for him TO resign his places as railroad
commissioner and state senator and thus,
as far as is now in his power, relieve those
who supported him when they supposed
him TO be honest. If he adopts this course.
many will believe he was not vicious at
heart but succumbed 10 temptation under
Trying circumstances, as many men not
essentially bad have done before. VIII he
do this? Those W no dislike him most say
he will not.
THE other course is to hold on as long
as possible, and try to braZen it out. If
he elects to pursue this policy, it will show
that he is a hardened criminal who de-
serves no mercy and should be treated-in
public and in private-aS traitor to his
party, an enemy TO his country and dis
grace to humanity. Even if he is an in
nate scoundrel he should, after having been
so highly honored by great party, have
decency enough to make the load he has
placed on its shoulders as honorable as pos
sible and, if he refuses to do SO. the scor-
pion lash of public contempt and indigna-
ton should scourge him always and every
where.
But that will not be enough. The men,
bers of the council cannot allow him to re-
ers. To delay his removal a moment longer
than is necessary would be shirking of
duty TO the state-and also to their party.
This is so self-evident that any member
who fails to put himself on record for re-
moval should, and will, be relegated to pri-
vate life.
senate that fact will be an additional rea,
son why the legislature should be called
together, so that it can purge itself at the
who loves the Populist party. and every
one who has any regard for the honor of
the state. should make public all of the
yers are searching the criminal statutes to
see on how many counts he can be indicted.
II he insists on war, 1t should be reient-
iess.''
The Independent springs P. B. MaXon as
its choice of candidates to succeed Gov
ernor Lewelling on the railroad board.
This is simply looked upon as carrying
on of the war which one faction of Popu-
lists some time ago originated on another
faction. At the bottom of it is the ever
present desire to get a job. II the ex-
governor could somehow arrange for. a
job equally good to be given to this
faction of his enemies. the chances are. as
insisted by his friends, the war would
stop.
AS is well known. Mr. Griffin has been
in almost every party that has come along
and. besides. has tried to launch u new
party occasionally. because the output of
parties was not large enough to meet his
demands. As generally referred to. 1t is
not a matter of regret that he is now max
ing much trouble for the other fellows
as he has in years past for Republicans.
1t is insisted by the friends of the ex-
governor that in due time he will come
out in a way that will be quite as interest
ing to his opponents as they have been to
him. 1t is believed he will not resign, for
he is not disposed to give up the fight by
way of doing a favor to enemies in his
own party.