The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-06-08
HUSH IT UP!
Lit Crum LabOring to Prevent
Asylum Investigation.
Politicians Would Keep People
in the Dark.
MR.. COLES BACKBONE.
He Threatens to Use 1t and
Causes CONSERVATION.
Governor Stanley Has Taken
No Official Action.
ARE HOWLS OF RAGE.
Western Kansas People Raise
Their Voices in Protest.
Why Were They Not Given
Asylum as Promised!
Money For New Asylum Not
Available Until December.
ARE HOWLS OF RAGE.
Western Kansas People Raise
Their Voices in Protest.
Why Were They Not Given
Asylum as Promised!
Money For New Asylum Not
Available Until December.

Everything possible is being done to
prevent an investigation of the scandal
in connection with the location of the
new insane asylum.
The truth will be kept from the peo-
pie if it is possible to do so.
If proof of fraud or boodling in the
location of the new asylum at Parsons
is furnished George Z. Cole, state au-
ditor. he Will decline to issue warrants
for the money for the construction of
the new buildings. Although Mr.. Cole
declines to discuss this phase of the
subject, he favors a thorough investiga-
ton Of the charges before permitting
the work to proceed further
Mr. Coles friends say he will not dis
appoint the people of the state in this
emergency. He will. if proof is fur
nished, take steps which will prevent
the preparation of additional fraud up
on the people of Kansas. Mr.. Cole
said today:
I have been out of town several
days moving my family to Topeka from
Ciirard This matter has been made
public since left Topeka. before which
time I had heard nothing concerning
the Doodle charges which have since
become so general.
I feel that if there has been corrup-
ton practiced it should be exposed and
The guilty persons punished. If these
men are innocent. then they are ent1-
tied to an acquittal. If they have been
guilty of the things charged, then
Thev are entitled TO receive the full
penalty of the law.
IN dealing with this matter I shall
act as 1 have acted with reference to
other things which have come before
me officially. Where there has been
evidence of unfair dealing L have al
ways made an effort to right it and give
the state the full benefit to which it is
entitled and to see to it that fairness
and justice are administered to all par
ties at interest. L shall not depart
from this practice in the asylum affair"
The Parsons people are alarmed at
the attitude of the state auditor, and
seem TO see OminOus signs for them in
his official demeanor. L. $. Crum,
Judge of the court of visitation, who is
a warm personal friend of Mr. Cole and
the manager Of the Parsons campaign
for the asylum. is labOring with Mr..
Cole to convince him that no fraud has
been practiced- However, the auditor
is not now disposed to pass judgment
upon the question and prefers to wait
for future developments. hoping that the
responsibility may be shifted from his
shoulders by the injunction suit which
is talked Of
Many of Mr. Coles warm personal
friends are Offering wagers against
odds, too, that at the proper time he
VIII act IN SuCn a manner as TO DE1nS
before the public the truth concerning
the location of the asylum at Parsons.
THE people Of the state are paying the
bills and they have right to know
how the money is being expended and
whether it is going to aid in perpetu-
ating a fraud" said Mr.. Cole today.
There are three methods which are in
the minds of the opponents of Parsons.
The first considered is the injunction
suit.
The second is the anticipated refusal
of the state auditor to permit the al
legged fraud to go uninvestigated.
The third is the power of the state
board of charities to prevent the con
struction OF the asylum.
This latter plan has only been men
toned today but an investigation of the
circumstances and the connection which
the state board has with this whole af-
fair. from now on, establishes beyond
peradventure the fact that the board
can absolutely prevent the erection of
the asylum.
The law providing for the new asylum
places the responsibility of letting the
contracts with the state board of char
tiles which must receive the bids and
award the contracts.
The board could stop the construction
oI the asylum by rejecting the bids
upon technicalities. This has been done
on less important matters and there is
a possibility of the board taking this
action The possibility is Just now so
strong that the Parsons people are hav-
ing conferences with the members of
the board 1t was reported today that
Grant Hornaday.pre of the board
had lntlmated that the board would
take such action. When this was nofsed
about the state house and the Copeland
yesterday afternoon, Judge Crum the
friend of Parsons. started out to have
an interview with HOrnadav
Hornaday lives at Fort Scott one Of
the defeated candidates for the asvIuu-
The Fort Scott people are smartine-
over their defeat because it is CHARGED
that Parsons secured the asylum with
Doodle. Another member of the hoard
IS q. W. kanavel of Newton which was
also defeated in the campaign for the
asylum These two men are factors of
great Importance in the political affairs
OF the state and a plan to defeat Par
sons, If engineered by them in the re
lection of the bids for the construction
of the new asylum would defeat Par
sons.
The excitement concerning the
charges of Doodle is not abatine
Protests are coming into the governors
office and he is being besieged to have
an investigation of the affair. There