The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-08-05
about $4,000" replied the lobbyist

about $4,000" replied the lobbyist
Il can't afford it, said the contractor.
and the conference ended.
Shortly afterwards the contractor
hunted up Legate, who was on the ways
and means committee in the house, and
asked his help in getting the appropria-
ton through.
I'D like to help you, Bill" Legate- is
reported to have said. "But 1 can't af-
ford to spend my time here for moth
ing. 1 don't get enough to pay my ex-
penses, and I'm neglecting my business
at home. degate was scheduled as a
lawyer, but he did not work at any
| thing but politics). Then reckon some
of the other boys would like to haze
little something
How much will it take?" asked the
contractor.
'Oh, I suppose three or four hundred
dollars will put it through" replied
Legate.
"All right, JIM You're treating me
| square," said the contractor. 1.-THE other
| fellows Gnentioning the name of the lob
| byist who had first approached him and
| his associates) tried to hold me up for
| four thousand
Legate 'Why, Bill, they are trying to
rob you blind. See here, Bill" and
Legate turned suddenly, ''Tl put
through your appropriation for you
and it shan't cost you cent"
| And he did
Legate was connected with the Pom
| eroy scandal in the senatorial election
of 1868, and he is supposed to have had
| a m ore intimate knowledge of what be-
| came of the remnant of the POmeroy
Doodle fund of over $1,000 than any other
person, but this has been an open ques-
| ton. Wilder'S Annals says the money
was divided between the lawyers On
| the day that Senator Pomeroy was to
| be reelected Senator York of Mont
gomery county announced in dramatic
manner, when he got up to vote, that
Pomeroy had paid him $1,000 to vote for
| him. York held the package of money
! up as he spoke and laid it on the press
table. Intense excitement followed, and
during the time it is said that Mr. Le-
| gate appointed himself committee of
| one to take charge of the $1,000 After
wards criminal proceedings for bribery
were commenced against POmerOy but
| afterwards dropped. Pomeroy of course
| did not claim the money, and a commit
| tee consisting of Legate, Judge Horton,
| who was one of Pomeroy'S managers
and others held meeting to decide
| what should be done with it. The costs
of an investigation had been paid out
| of it. but there was $5265 left in the
possession of Legate- 1t is said that
while the committee was celebrating
Legate excused him self and went down
| the back stairs. The rest of the COM
mittee quit celebrating and went to the
/ window to watch Legate There was a
! high board fence around the back OF
| the premises, and the watchers saw
| LeSdte MAKE SeFerdi lHeISCludl at
| tempts to get over it, Then he came
| back and the deliberations proceeded.
| but with what result is not definitely
recorded. Wilder's Annals contains the
| following under date of March II, 1865:
/ THE case of the state against s. G..
| Pomeroy would have been called in
| Usage county April 5. Attorney General
| Randolph gave an opinion, March D.
| that the state had no title or interest
in the $1,000 package. A. H Vance, at
| torney for Shawnee county, wrote.
| March 10: I have concluded to dismiss
| the case of the state of Kansas VS.. S. c.
Pomeroy, now pending in the district
court of Usage county Ex-Lieutenant
Governor Slower determined that the
| costs of the suit thus far should be de-
| frayed from the package On the 18th
| there is meeting in Topeka of John
! Martin and A. H. Horton, representing
Pomeroy, A II. Vance, A. M. York. eEz-
u