The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-08-29

down from the ticket as printed in a
number of country papers, and his homs.
county has gone back on him. The
nomination was unfortunate in the first
place, and now that Mr.. Kelly sees the
storm it has raised he should have party
interest enough to withdraw, even If
there is nothing in the charges brought
against him. To keep Mr.. Kelly on the
ticket when there is danger of his be-
ing defeated is not Justice to the rest
of the candidates. A Demo-Pop treas
urer in the state house could and would
cause a lot of friction that no one
wants. Mr.. Kelly is the man to settle
this matter. and he should do SO at
once"
that something be done in the case
of Thomas L. Kelly, Republican nomi-
nee for state treasurer. has grown to
such proportions that it must be heed
ed with immediate action. 1t was
charged before the state convention that
Kelly, when county clerk of Miami
county, embezzled county funds. AT
that time the Register argued for the
utmost caution on the part of the Re-
publican party and printed the follow
ing editorial:
" The Miami Republican has started
out to George -W.-Wheatley T. T. Kelly,
for state treasurer. 1t charges. with
page Of sworn legal testimony that
would seem irrefutable to back the
charge, that when he was county clerk
of Miami county from 1890 to 1884 he
raised county vouchers many times.
The Republican prints fac-similes of
the vouchers themselves with court tes-
timony to show how they were raised
for instance. one from SIS to $66 and
one from S46 to $146. Mr.. Kelly is now
assistant state treasurer and on this
showing the state executive council will
be asked to investigate the affairs of
the treasurer's Office. The Register
| hopes the council will not be unwise
for political DurpOses,-it would be the
poorest of political purposes,-it would
be the poorest of political sense even if
a part of it were the withdrawal of Mr..
Keliy's candidacy. The Republican par
ty cannot afford to be dishonest Geo.
w. Wheatley was only careless and i'll
advised and made no profit but see
| what happened to him. The Kelly
charges are too big a burden for the
Republican party to carry even if they
are only One-fOurth true
Kelly made a clustering show of in
nocence, demanded an investigation and
put up $1,000 to cover any loss that
| might be found. The Register at the
time took the position that even if the
charges were not true the Republican
party of Kansas could not afford to at
tempt the burden. The county COM
missioners found Kelly's shortage to be
more than $1,000 and he paid the money
! back. Last Saturday the Republican
| county convention of Miami county by
| the tremendous odds of 180 to 29 passed
| this resolution:
I'VE indorse and commend the action
! of the board of commissioners of Miami
| county in unearthing the fraud commit
| ted against the county in the sum OF
$1.324.e9 by Thomas T. Kelly while
| county clerk. and we pledge it our
| hearty support in it's future investiga-
| tions. We. in view of the record made
| in the findings of the board, in which
F, it found Thomas T. Kelly guilty of en-
bezzling more than $1,000 while clerk of
| Miami county and his repayment OF
that sum into the county treasury, be-
| ing in itself the crowning proof of his
! guilt do repudiate Thomas T. Kelly for
the office of state treasurer of Kansas
| because of his corrupt official record.
| We consider his nomination a misfor-
| tune and his further candidacy men
| ace to the success of the Republican
state ticket
This should be conclusive ana
! Thomas T. Kelly should be removed
| from the state ticket of the Republican
! party, which stands for thorough hon.
| esty and good government Is it neces-
sary to add that Kelly was Burton :
| favorite candidate?"