Mexico weekly ledger., 1901-12-05
Ex-aor. srrPnENs rNrERyIEwEp.

DAYS, at least one hundred persons who
had read this statement in the Globe
Democrat have asked me how it hap
pened that Col. Phelps paid part OF
nv assessment Secretary Cook
stated also that In obedience to my
wishes, as expressed through my per-
sonal representative, Hon. Edward 7.
Orear. this contribution wa TO be re-
ported as having been made by Mr..
Cook himself, and not by Col. Phelps.
Regarding these two statements !
viii say that l did not know that Col.
Phelps made such a contribution un-
til almost three years after il had
been made, and | wish to state posi-
lively that if Mr.. Orear asked that
Mr.. Phelps name be withheld he did
il upon his own authority, and not
upon mine. l doubt very much If be
did at all. / have heard within the
last year OF two that ex-GoY. William
j. Stone is the party who directed
that this contribution appear as
Chairman Cooks.
"In connection with campaign as
seSSSments, it might not be irrevelent
to add that at the first meeting Of the
Democratic State Central Commute
after my nomination | was assessed
$4,000. / was out of the State at the
time and did not know Of it. OF this
amount l paid all that l could legally
pay under the corrupt practices act
The balance was voluntarily, in most
cases, contributed by a few OF my rela-
tiyes and personal friends, 10 whom ]
did not object to be obligated, and
who never sought to influence my
|, Official actions in any direction.
About two evenings before the
election In 1896 Secretary Sam h,
! Cook, who was then chairman Of the
! State Committee, wired me that the
committee found itself greatly en-
barrassed for want OF funds to meet
ycry pressing demands; that debts OF
> honor amounting 10 5000 had to be
: met, and that II / did not remit
promptly / could not hold the com.
r mittee responsible for the vote In st
! Louis. At the time l vas quite II
+. with Inflammatory rheumatism ant
had a high fever, and my physician
e and wife both doubted the proprietl
Of showing me the message. Later OF
= in the day Of It's arrival at jefferson
City, / was informed Of its contents
d and promptly replied, In which ! YER
S positively refused 70 comply. II wa
|. at this time, or shortly thereafter,
d have been informed, that ChairmaI
Il Cook applied for help to Col. Phelps
think all will admit that did m
duty, in a financial way at least, dn
ing that campaign. Mr.. Dockery
le assessment in the campaign four veal
II later was,I understand, but s1,000.n
le When asked how much Of the sl0
n 900 he had paid, Mr. Stephens coul
not recall. He said the report W;
l. fled at Clayton, he believed, and won
ell show. Under the corrupt practicI
% act he could pay only a certain p
I'd eentage Of the salary Of the Office
which be aspired, and he did not 7
f. call just what it a
on Replying to a question as TO how
i. learned about Colonel Phelps allegI
contribution to his campaign fun
no ex-Goy. stephens said:
lv Cornelius Roach, editor OF Z
ar Carthage Democrat, was a candida
in for Secretary Of State in 1899. y
he Roach had held the same position !
rs many years, and had proved a We
"a competent aud worthy officer. ] 81
a.. ported him, as did Lieut.-Gov. Boil
en- Col. Phelps and Others. His electi
ms was opposed by ex-Gov. Stone, Win
Conkling, Secretary Of the Democra.
Re- State Committee; sam B. Cook, Cha
m man Of the Committee, and Others.
are was during the excitement Of this q
test that the report was given TO I
zen public for the first time, | think, II
vas COL Phelps paid part Of my campai
IN. contribution, and that | was suppo
no ing his friend Roach in ~cOnsideratl
,ut Of his assistance. L suppose that c
he Phelps responded to Chairman Coo
ow appeal after ! had declined TO pay I
md additional 5000, and that in that v
as Col Phelps wa credited with c.
an. tributing 10 my assessment.
un Ex-Goy. Stephens vas asked
lns reference TO another very INTEREST,"
feature Of Secretary Cooks depC
Is ton, that concerning the breedt
oh. bill, and Mr. Cooks interest in
ttv same. On this point the former @.
cen ennOr spoke these words:
ms "After the bill was passed and
stv placed upon my desk, Chairman q
ms called to urge It's approval. AT
,te time l was not very favorable to
NJ and gave him no encouragement. T
ace seemed to worry him no little, and
ods called on two or three occasions the
Tho after, urging favorable action on
ack part. Later he accompanied me wi
ion en- route from the Office TO the m
aid sion, and told me that l could
an nothing that would place him IN
I'M. greater obligation to me than By 81
ing this bill: that it meant much
him In a financial way and that a Il
think he placed it at 5000, would
due him when my signature was
tached 10 the bill"
"Did you sign the billY" the
Governor was asked.
eyes, / signed It finally, and tina
the law to-day, regulatingo or lega
ing ~pool-selling at the race ira
'a'u here"
ne "Did Mr.. Cook get the $1,000
: u "Well, / cannot answer that,
according 10 what | have told you,
aue' signing the bill removed the q
MI obstacle 70 his collecting It."
the AS a Democrat, whose loyalt!
nue. principle has never been question
as one who is deeply interested
ar party harmony and success, ! dep
the this unfortunate controversy"
the Ex-Governor, concluding the
Oia teryiew.
The question Of heat will be upI
most from DOW on in thousands
homes. Comfort health and I
economy will be the points Of is
We honestly believe you will make
lleu - 81 n