The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1902-12-06
STSHF'S FIERCE DENIAL.
His Reply to Charges Of Lobbying
for Corporations.
PAYS HIS RESPECTS TO STEPHENS,
Ssys be Answered these Charges in
the Campaign.

The following is verbatim copy Of
a letter sent to the Post Dispatch by
Ex-Governor Stone with a request
that it be published:
St. Louis, Dec 2, 1902.
To the Editor Of the Post-Dispatch.
On yesterday / returned from an
outing in the Ozark mountains Of
more than two weeks duration. From
the time l left to go on this expedi
tion until ] reached Springfield, Sun
day evening, en- route home, l did not
see a newspaper Since NY return
here, my attention has been called to
several articles in the Post Dispatch
10 the nature Of personal attacks
upon me. Except as to what follows,
1t is not my Intention to reply to
there articles. for the reason that the
points covered w ,ne Indictments
preferred by the Post-Dispatch were
ali fully expuissa ay mg enemies dur
ins Cue Campaign j0sC ended, and /
then took occasion TO make answer to
the charges ia a public speech, thous-
Z ands Of copies Of which we're printed
aud circulated broadcast over the
state. do not care to thrash this
straw over again, and, besides, / make
it rule not to defend myself against
personal attacks made upon me by
unfriendly newspapers BY entering
into discussion with the attacking
papers.
/ have but a-siDgle purpose in ask
ing space 10 your columns at this
I time. On Sunday you printed an
interview with Ex-Governor Stephens
devoted to me. l Gid not intend to
make any reply whatever to the
idiotic drivellng Of this diminutive
weakling, for he is too small to waste
time or thought upon, and, besides,
the daY is already past when the
word Of this Liliputian weighs for
aught 10 public esteem. Since his
betrayal of his party he has no
standing in the democratic house.
} hold, and republicans, while using
him, / know despise him.
OF all the idlocies Of this recent in.
teryiew / will dignity but one with
my notice, and this l do because the
Post. Dispatch singled it out for
special editorial attention only. The
particular idiocy thus distinguished
by the editorial attention of the
Dispatch is the following, which /
quote from the intervies: II was, -
said Stephens, sin a position to
observe Stones tactics clearly at that
session Of the legislature 1S99). He
was busy every night at the long dis
lance telephone, calling up st. Louis,
Kansas City and other important
towns which are the citadels Of the
corporations This constant use OF the
long distance phone by Stone at night
got SO annoying that finally l had
to request the telephone company to
keep the wires free for a certain length
Of time so that others might be able
to use them +" Now, as a matter OF
fact, I am confident l was not in
Jefferson City, all told, more than a
half dozen days or nights during the
whole four months Of that session OF
the Legislature, and / cannot recall
single occasion when / ever used
the long distance phone to talk with
any person at st. Louis, Kansas City
or any other place about any matter
Of legislation pending before the gen
eral assembly. am confident
never once used the phone for any
such purpose The statement, there
fore which MIR. Stephens has made
aobed, above, is an unmltigatet
nped lie. w. J. STONE