The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-03-27
STORY OF THE LEGISLATURE
Tale of the Alleged Fraud of Two Year.
Ago Repeated.

The Kansas City Journal Of yesterday
has the following special from Topeka
concerning ex-Representative Ecksteir
and Representative Irwin. 1t reminds one
Of the stories told about some Pop legis-
lators two years ago with reference to
the pension allowed Harry Parks of this
city:
Representative Charles NJ. Irwin and
ex-Representative Otto Eckstein, both
Republicans and both OF Sedgwick coun-
", are resting under suspicion OF hav-
ing had a hand in a legislative appro-
priation deal at the recent session of
the legislature, by reason of a. story made
public here today. ]. r. Fennell of Wlch-
TIA is the author of the scandal. During
the last session of the legislature Fenneil
and Sidney Fulton, another citizen OF
Wichita, were given 81 500 each as a
pension for injuries received while mem
hers of the state militia. They belonged
to the same company at Wichita. On
Decoration day. two years ago. the COM
pany was called out to observe the day,
and Fenne3 had his hard torn off by the
premature explosion of an old cannon.
The cannon was repaired and few
months later the company took it TO the
Ellsworth ercampment Fulton had
charge OF ii and the. thing went off at
half cock again. tearing off his arm.
The two disabled militiamen put in
claims 10 the senate for pensions and the
legislature appropriated 10 each the
amount stated above. FenEell came up
today to see about getting his money,
and while here related a story of the al
legged daa! In which serious reflection is
cast or Irwin and Eckstein.
He said Eckstein was 10 get half of
Fui5Cns appropriation. $500. for lobbying
il through. This, he stated, was in ac-
c0rdance with an agreement entered into
a, the early part OF the session. He also
said thai Eckstein made a similar prop
osition "a MN, by he declined TO enter
into any such arrangement. He ibid
Eckstein that he would not put up a
cent T. a i0bbyis:. \ few days later.
Fenaell said. he received a letter from
Representative Irwin telling him he had
better enter ito a contract With Eek
steIr to push the claim, or ne would rot
ge; cent.
utsN- IrAllC0 10 LIZ ASNNtAs Sdt1
Fenne,l, but went to Leweiling and told
him the stcry.
Don't you put UP cent or give them
any portion OF the claim LewelIing is re-
ported 20 have replied,
He said ne would &c; i; through
without ccstlrg me a cent continued
Fennen. 1 followed his advice and LEI
them go. TIE claim went through all
rgh,'
"Facner cid no. receive his voucher
today. The auGitor told him he would
have % return AID prove up his war
record. When this is done he viii be
paid
Fulton has no: yet appeared at the
auditors office for his persion; the money
Is lying there ready for him as soon as
ne makes the proper proofs.
The friends Of Irwin and Ecks;ein
VIII De slow 70 believe there was collu-
sion 10 secure part e. an appropriation
by legislature or 10 cast financial eye
az anything.
Representative Ed Hackney OF Well
ington was in town yesterday for a while
Mr.. Hackney says there viii be az extra
session OF the legislature 70 pass me
maximum ra,e law. and he adds that the