Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-01-05
GRIFFITH FL0PS AGAIN.
Goes Back to the Anti-Hnnnn Camp
fn a Letter That Causes
SeuSntiOu,


Hanna managers lost the two doubtful
members they had gained to-day. so that
there is now no material change from that
Monday morning TO qualify as speaker pro
of yesterday, when the house stood at Oh
TO So against Hanna. This would give
the senator only 20 votes on joint ballot, or
three less than enough to elect In connec-
tion with the change of Representative
Griffith back to the anti-Hanna camp
there are most scandalously sensational re-
ports in circulation. Mr.. Griffith has been
on both sides several times. and has SO
pledged himself in writing.
In these dispatches yesterday was an ac-
count of the Hanna workers spending Sum
day night with Representative Griffith and
of him sending at a. IN. for his wife to
come from the Great Southern hotel TO the
Neil house to join him in conference with
the Hanna men. At a.. m the KuTtZ men
saw Mrs. Griffith and the all-night work
of the Hanna man was undone just before
her husband went to the state house on
Monday morning to qualify as speaker pro-
TEN with the other candidates of ''the COM
bine." After the legislature was organized
Mr.. Griffith had another night of confer
ence on both sides of the senatorial cases.
and this morning he gave the Hanna men
a written pledge over his own name. that
he would vote for the senator. Later in the
day. he was seen by the opponents of Sem
ator Hanna, and tonight he gave out the
following his latest proclamation on his
position:
ITO the Public:-It is due to the public
and to myself that l make a statement
of my position on the senatorial matter.
While * is true that the convention
which nominated me passed resolution
requesting me to support Senator Hanna
and while /. at various times during the
campaign and since. declared my intention
10 follow that request. and even promised
q dozen or more of my constituents in Mr.
Hanna's headquarters on Monday of this
week that / would do so. have, however
since learning the particulars Of the in
dienities heaped upon my wife Monday
morning. reached the conviction that L
would be untrue 10 my manhood should
cast my vote for man who either uses
Or employs such methods and shall resent
the indignities and insults heaped upon
myself and friends. and also do a service
Tor my state and country by voting for Il
Republican other than Mr.. Hanna for
United States senator.
Notwithstanding the threats that have
been made to me that | cannot return and
live in Union county if do not vote for Mr..
Hanna. il is my hope and belief that the
good people who have honored me with
their confidence. and whom 1 love and
fonor, will uphold me in this determination
that cannot under any circumstances now
be changed. j. T., GRIFFITH"
Wien n copy Of the statement purportfns
10 come from Representative Griffith was
shown TO Senator Hanna this evening he
said: II do not believe Mr. Griffith ever
made this statement. because IL is not true
it is represented 10 me that he is an hon
orable man. and therefore I shall not he.
leve. without some furth>r evidence. that
he ever made or authorized any such state
n.cnt."
Notwithstanding Senator Hanna regards
1t as untrue that Representative Griffith
himself publishes this statement. yet it is
known that the document is in Griffith.s
handwriting. whether he prepared it himself
or not. The last letter of Griffith has
caused not only a sensation. but the most
bitter feeling and the worst OF charges on
,.>n"rt OF the rival workers
=, Congressman Grosvenor left for Wash
ington tonight. and the anti-Iianna men
say he has gone there 10 confer AS TO the
leSatee, which the opposition reports as
likely 10 he Secretary Sherman General
Grosvenor stated that he had TO he in cor-
Eress on Thursday TO take part in the
debate. and that he was leaving for that
purpose. and would be back the last of
the week.
]. Park Alexander. of Akron. the trustee
of the Ohio imbecile asylum, to-day re-
signed because of Governor BUSHNELL :;
tli i lie -FOUR Rp-
publican Clubs of Columbus Tonight re-
solved not 10 participate in the iuatg,Irt-
ton of Governor Bushnell next Monday
The following statement was given out
tonight by MIR. McPeck. a neisnbor and
personal friend of Representative and Mrs
Griffith. of Marysviilc. Union county:
In regard to Mr.. Griffth's statement in
which he says that his wife bad received
indienitics from Mr.. llama AMI his friends,
wish 10 say:
When the newspapers reported on Sum
day that Mr. Griffith mad refused to go
into the Republican caucus. MIR. Chapman
ard myself. becoming alarmed AT what that
might mean. came over to Columbus from
Marysville Sunday afternoon 10 see him
having been his warm personal and polit-
Zeal friends. We secured AN interview with
him at about half past /" O'Clock in the aft
ernoon AT room 3l2. Great Southern hotel.
Mrs. Griffith being present during the in
teryiew. From him we learned that il was
his purpose not to vote for the Republican
nominees. and We urged the necessity of
his supporting that ticket with the agree
ment at the end of the interview that he
should come 10 the Neil house about lO
o'clock for further conversation In regard
10 the matter.
Mr.. Griffith kept his appointment and for
probably three or four hours the matter
was discussed between Mr. Griffith and
his friends. with the conclusion that VIC
believed that he was going to support the
Republican legislative candidates. and. nj
Mr.. Griffith's request. MIR. Chapman and
myself went to the Great Southern hotel
and told Mrs. Griffith tina. Mr.. Griffith
saying. however, IL she preferred to re,
main there until morning.. that she should
follow her own pleasure. Mr.. Chapman