The Topeka state journal., 1902-09-13

nominated by the Republican county
convention. and was clearly the unan-
imous choice of the delegates particle
pating: therefore The Times is perfectly
satisfied with his candidacy. It's editor
has no political aspirations; never
sought an Office and has no taste for
one"
Some OF the few Republican papers
in the state who are attempting to
make defense of T. T. Kelly are now
loud in their denunciation of Col. Fred
]. Close. candidate on the fusion ticket
for lieutenant governor. because of the
charges against him In Doniphan
county, which were published a week
consistency of these papers They sup
port a man who is convicted by the
county commissioners in his home
county of forgery and robbing his home
county of s., 1,324-99, repudiated by the
Republican party of his hime county,
and who dares not try to disprove the
charges against him even when offered
a thousand dollars If committee Of
the state will examine the records on
which the county commissioners found
him guilty and make report that the
commissioners were in error.
On the other hand, they are trying to
divert attention from Kelly by pointing
at Close. The only charge against
Close is that he kept $174 in fees which
belonged to Doniphan county, while the
charges against Kelly are that he,
forged county records by raising vouch-
ers and warrants until he stole ST.
3a490.
If Close is guilty of keeping county
funds which did not belong to him, even
to the amount of STA, he is not entitled
to the support OF the honest voters OF
Kansas. But that does not give Repub-
licans an excuse for supporting Kelly.
Why are not these papers as honest in
the Kelly matter as in the Close mat
ter? Why do they not tell the whole
truth about Kelly? Instead they cry
that the State Journal is ''vindictive,"
and that it is prosecuting Kelly. The
State Journal has published both sides
of the Kelly matter. 1t has given space
to all of Kelly's statements as well as
to the charges made against him by the
county commissioners and his own
party in Miami county. 1t believes that
| it is the duty of an honest newspaper
Kansas; and it believes that the facts
justify the conclusion that Kelly is
guilty If he is guilty he is not entitled
to the support of an honest newspaper
or an honest voter.
| It is not surprising that some news
papers should attempt to defend Kelly
Birds of a Gather flock together. But
there are few Republican papers
which appear to be in unusual COM
pany. One would not naturally expect
F., to find the Hiawatha World, the Clyde
f., Republican, the Clay Center Times, the
Beloit Gazette and few other papers
| papers either have not fully investi-
gated the facts in the Kelly matter or
they are endorsing official dishonesty in
| a candidate for treasurer of the state
! of Kansas. in whose custody the state
| will place millions of dollars One
would naturally suppose such papers
as those mentioned would line up on the
side OF honesty along with the Holton
Recorder. the Wilson County Citizen,
/ the Emporia Gazette, the Ottawa Her.
aid. the Wellington News, and a score
of other papers. whose devotion to honor
equals their devotion to the Republican
party. 1t would appear as though the
first named papers place devotion to the
Republican party above devotion to
| honor.
An attempt is now. being made by the
Kelly papers to make It q factional
matter. They call attention to the fact
; that the Burton element is lined up
behind Kelly endorsing dishonesty.
and that it IS the Leland element that
is fighting Kelly. This is really great
compliment for the friends of Cyrus
Leland, and there is perhaps certain
amount of truth in it. Yet there are
some honest Burton papers. For in
stance. there is the Scandia Journal.
which mas always supported Burton,
but is pronounced in its opinion of
the Republicans of Republic county to
| scratch him.
The consistency of the statements OF
the Kelly papers is shown by two para
l.
which are separate items, but which,
follows: ~ s---.
did you ever notice that all the edi-
tors OF papers who have pulled down
the name of Tom Kelly as candidate for
state treasurer, are members of the CIV
Leland faction of state politics? 1t is
a fact, however. Now supposing there
should be retaliation. o. but wouldn't
there be howl come out of the wild
erness? Cy should call off his dogs of
war"
Major Beck, of the Holton Recorder.
has pulled down the name of Tom kcl-
ly from the Republican masthead. And
yet, Cy Leland turned the major down
at the. LeavenwOrth congressional corr
vention when he was candidate for
elector on the Republican ticket. Verify.
politics do make strange bedfellovs."
Oberlin. Sept. .13.-The fusionists of De-
catur county have nominated the fcl-
lowing ticket: Representative. G. john
son; clerk, ]. E. Plots; treasurer. F. II
Smith; sheriff, ]. B.. Leamann; register
OF deeds. F. M. Lang: county attorney,
w. s. Langmade; surveyor, E w. Cold
rem; superintendent, H. o. Caster; clerl.
OF court Howard F. Moves: probate
judge. J. w. Norris: coroner. DR.. s. L.
Hubbard; commissioner. r. G. HAYDEN.
Inc convention was a large one there
being zS2 delegates entitled to seats
most of them being Aresent The fol-
| - s.iS .cScAutioi WAS adopted. Ike
solved, That we endorse the entire state
ticket nominated at Topeka without re-
gard to the former political affiliations
OF the candidates, since they all stand
upon substantially the same platform
and advocate the same principles
New York Evening Post: 'sMr Burton
Of Kansas has perhaps been the most
ators. although he does not lack riff oi
speech. He has impressed himself upor
Washington a tireless spoils hunter
and in alliance with the poorer phase OF
politics.
Congressman Curtis recently made 3
speech at ,Wamego in which he urged
Pottawatomie county Republicans to give
J.. W. Dunn, Republican candidate for thu
legislature, the largest majority on tho
county ticket. Dunn is a Long supporter
too, which shows good spirit on tn.
part of Mr.. Curtis and will not lose hin
any friends