The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-10-14
NO POLITICS
In the Suit Against John r.
Mulvane,
Says Cyrus Leland, and the
Litigation Begun
CAN HAVE NO EFFECT
On the Republican Party's
Prospects in This State.
The Matter Said to Be a Purely
Business Affair.
CAN HAVE NO EFFECT

The suit brought by Cyrus Leland
and Ex-Governor e. N. Morrill, against
John r. Mulvane, owner of the Topeka
Capital for $125, 900 is the principal topic
of conversation among the Republican
leaders today. Coming just on the eve
of a great political campaign it might
be supposed that the purpose was to
inject a new issue into the campaign
but any one who knows Mr.. Leland
knows that he would not do anything
to hurt the Republicans If he knows it
and he generally knows what he is
about. The other leaders refuse to dis
cusS the matter for publication.
The only reference to the suit which
appeared in the Capital this morning
was the following editorial:
A BULLDOZING SUIT.
A suit for $125, 900 damages was yes
terday filed in the district court against
John r. Mulvane, the petition alleging
various and sundry visionary theories
as to the sale of the Capital under his
mortgages, whereby the stockholders Of
The Topeka Capital company, were de-
prived of their rights. The suit is os-
tensibly brought by Cyrus Leland and
Ex-Governor Morrill,, but the real prose-
cutors are a syndicate of legal gentle
men who hope to collect by bulldozing
tactics, claims which they do not be-
lieve will hold good in a court of law.
Concerning the suit, Mr. Mulvane in
dignantly denies having defrauded any
one, and states that he will adhere to
his usual practice of trying his law
cases in the courts and not in the news
papers.
While the Capital under the present
ownership is in no way involved in the
matter, it is in a position to know that
the sensational charges are wholly IN
just and without foundation in fact and
will prove a source of emb arrasSment
to the two gentlemen who have con-
veniently loaned their names for the
purpose of bringing this suit.
Mr.. Leland was asked whether the in
situations made in the Capital editorial
were true.
at will be found whether or not we
are bulldozing. This is a simple matter
of business with me and nothing else.
Governor Morrill, and myself would not
employ attorneys to bulldoze any one.
The best thing to do 1t to wait and see
what will happen. There is one thing
certain and that is that this matter will
be investigated. All we want done IS 70
have Mr.. MulVane do what Major Hud-
son testified he said he would do and
that was to pay the debts of the paper.
Il simply tried to help Major Hudson
out and Governor Morrill, did the same.
1 received four shares and he two. We
are in the same position that other
stockholders are ard they are as much
interested in being protected as we are.
Il have nothing to say about the ap-
parent threat against myself in the
Capital editorial That is a matter
do not care to discuss but everyone
knows the Capital and knows what has
happened in the past"
What effect will it have po1itically?''
was asked.
None, whatever. There is no politics
IN it. 1t is a business matter and moth
ing else"
Judge Henry Keeler who is one of the
attorneys interested said: Il see Mr..
Mulvane says he does not want to try
the suit in the newspapers and we are
in the same position. We do not want
to try our side in the newspapers. If
know
doing ask Mr.. Leland. We are en-
plOyed by him. This is a suit we shrank
from bringing but there was nothing
else for US to do. l do not care to say
any more about it than is expressed in
the petition"
Col. T. w. H rr son who is a stockhold-
er in the Capital and also one of the at
tOrneys said: I'VE are Simply trying
to protect the stock holders of the Cap
itaL There was a time when the Capt.
tai could have been sold for 1926, 900 but
that was before the litigation was COM
menced. 1 am one of the stock holders
and I naturally feel some personal in
terest in the suit. I also know that
Mr.. Leland and Mr.. Morrill, are not
bulldozing. There is no reason why
they should do that for they have inter
ests just as 1 have
There are several stockholders in To-
peka who are interested in the result or
the suit: They are Arthur Capper,
James L. King. Harold T. Chase and
Dell Keller. Mr.. Capper and Mr.. King
QuintOn to represent them in the litiga-
ton. Mr.. Chase and Mr.. Keller were
both stock holders in the old company
but they will not figure in the suit
Arthur Capper's liabilities on account
of his connection with the Capital are
much larger than either Mr. Leland or
Mr.. Morrill,. Mr. Capper is liable for
rearly $4,000 representing double Iabil-
ity on stock in the company He is in
the same position as Mr.. Leland and
Mr.. Morrill, and will naturally profit by
the suit if they do.
neighborhood of SO 900 and that of Mr..
Morrill, about 81, 500. The amount for
which the stock holders are liable is
bout $4,000 unless there are other
debts not yet heard from.
FAILED TO AGREE.