The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-09-03
Sol. Miller's Old Paper Refuses
to Support Kelly.
Not Satisfied With His Latest
"Explanation."
PERTINENT QUESTIONS
Editor Mentions Few Things
That We're Overlooked.
Republicans Not Required t.
Support Dishonest Man.


The Oldest paper in the state is the
Troy Chief. 1t has always been one OF
the strongest Republican papers in the
state, and what it has said has always
carried weight with it.
In it's last issue under the heading,
AN Explanation That Needs Another
Explanation the Chief puts some very
pointed questions to Mr.. T. T. Kelly In
seeking for light on the subject of his
embezzlements from Miami county. 1t
says in part:
The long expected, anxiously awaited
explanation OF T. T.. Kelly. Republican
candidate for state treasurer, has at
last been made. To those. who like
explanation would clear up the ugly
charges and explain every TRANSACTION
SO that no doubt could remain of the
integrity of T. T. Kelly, the explana-
ton is a disappointment.
THE charges made against Mr. Kelly,
concerned not him alone: they attacked
not only bis integrity: they attacked
the honesty and integrity of the Re-
publican party of Kansas.
1.-The Republican state convention
nominated Mr. Kelly. knowing that
charges had been made against him,
which, if true, rendered him unfit for
any position of trust and made his
candidacy a menace to Republican sue
cess.
Good politics would have made the
convention reject any man of whose
honesty there was a question. But the
convention took the word of men high
in the councils of the party who vOuch-
ed for Mr. Kelly.
THE Chief editor is a Republican
born and bred. We believe in the poll
cies of the Republican party. We are
strongly partisan But our partisan
ship does not compel US to support
dishonest man for office. Our party
loyalty demands of US that we be ever
true to the principles of true Republi-
canism, and teaches us that Republican
success depends upon the personal in
tegrity of those chosen to carry out
Republican policies.
The statements made from time to
time that Mr.. Kelly would clear up
everything when his promised exp1ana-
ton was made have heretofore kept us
silent.
But Mr.. Kelly's explanation does
not explain. 1t is no explanation of
specific charges of rnalfeasance in of
flee, to say that those who make them
are personal enemies. and are actuated
by a spidit of revenge If the charges
are true, the spirit that governs those
who prefer them is immaterial. 1t does
not lessen the guilt of a burglar, that a
former pal who has fallen out with him.
gives him away in order to get even. If
he committed the crime he is dishonest
and should not be placed in position
of trust
1.-The Republican voters have a right
to demand of T. T. Kelly an explana-
ton of each specific charge made against
him.
''The board of county commissioners
of Miami county made the following
finding:
'First-On July 5, 1890, c. B. Hamil-
ton & Son. filed a voucher for 81. 80. This
was allowed for 1870 on back of original
voucher by r. Hampson, chairman, and
entered on daily record of commission
ers' proceedings at page 234 as an al
lowance of $3.50. Same entry in iourn-
nal G at page So. On July 8, 1890, war
rant No 1877 was drawn in favor of c.
B. Hamilton & Son for $3.50. This war
rant was paid to Thomas T. Kelly on
July IL, 1890, and county treasurer takes
credit for $3.50. as shown bv the war
| rant register No. l at page PA and
treasurer'S bank book at page 108. July
IA, 1890, draft was purchased at the
Miami County National bank for 1920
on the Central bank, Kansas City, No.
payable to the order of Thomas T. Kel-
T. Kelly and c. B. Hamilton & Son.
| On which item as above stated the
board finds Thomas T. Kelly indebted
| oiMami county in the sum of S10'
Mr.. Kelly must explain this charge.
In the explanation given out by him
nothing is said concerning this or any
other specific item, but simply that he
had been exonerated once before by the
! board, and that an accountant hired by
| him found things all right, and that the
| board was as liable to be mistaken now
| as before.
1.-The further statement is made that
| the books of the office were taken out
! of the vaults by his enemies Suppose
| that all this is true? The question in
which we are interested is: do the books
| of the clerks Office and the treasurer's g
books show the facts as found by the
| board?
was Miami county indebted to
| Hamilton & Son in the sum of $3.50 or
| $1T.30? Was a bill for $3.50 in favor of
Hamilton & Son allowed? Was a war
rant drawn in favor of them for ST. 80
| instead of $3.50. and if so why? Did
T. T. Kelly cash such warrant? Did
| he buy draft in favor of himself for
/ $7.20? Was the same endorsed by him
and by Hamilton & Son. and paid to
the latter? If SO. what became of the
! balance of the 1870? If the county
owed s17.30 to this firm. how was the
other $40 paid? II the county owed only
$3.50. why was the warrant drawn for
| $17.30 by T. T. Kelly and collected by
him?
These are the questions in which we
are interested; and which we demand
Mr.. Kelly intimates that the books
| were altered by his enemies to show
| alteration of the records is a matter easy
| of proof. and if they are altered it would
| be no hard matter to fasten the altera-
! ton upon the proper person. Mr. Kelly
| in his statement intimates by whom they
| were altered.
''But. if the books were changed SO as te
| show the facts found by the board Il
| could only have been done in one of two
| ways: either by raising the $3.50 to 1870
or by lowering the 1870 to $3.50 Their
Mr. kelly's enemies must not only have
| altered the books of the clerks Office
but must have altered the books of the
two banks
Another specific charge made against
Mr.. Kelly is based on the second finding
Of the county board In this tbs
board finds follows
.Second-HaiI & O.Donald Lithograpf
company fled it's voucher July 5, 1890. fol
$S-75. The same allowed on the back o.