The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-02-06
CRAVE CHARGES.
A. L. Thomas, of Pa0la, Charges
L. T. Kelly With Corruption
While in Office as Clerk of
Miami, County.
EVIDENCE FURNISHED
Is in Shape of Original DOcu.
ments and Plates.
Thomas Will Appear Before
County Commissioners.
KELLY'S STATEMENT.
KELLY'S STATEMENT.
Says His Books Were Pro
nOunced Correct by Examiner.
That He Left Office With Clear
COnscience-Changed Nothing.
Makes Counter Charges Against
Thomas Who Wanted Place.

Political enemies of T. T. Kelly, as
sistant state treasurer, candidate
for treasurer on the Republican ticket,
have unearthed evidences of corruption
against Mr.. Kelly when he was clerk
of his. home county, Miami, some years
ago.
At the head of this movement is A.
L. Thomas, a we'll known attorney of
Paola, who was register of deeds of
Miami county for four years previous to
1900, and is ex-chairman of the RepubA
lican county central committee.
Mr.. Thomas has given out a signed
statement, accompanied by reproduc
tions of original documents, showing
changes during Kelly's administration
as county clerk by which an original
bill. allowed by the county commits
sfoners, was raised" in one instance
from $4625 to Stages, and the latter
amount paid over to Kelly as an agent
to receipt for the original bill.
Another instance is given wherein q.
bill is changed from $16 to $50.
Mr.. Thomas will produce his original
documents before the county commits
sioners and demand an investigation.
Mr. Kelly is assistant treasurer of
state. and is practically in charge of
the state funds, In view of this dam
aging evidence in Miami county the
executive council will be asked to make
an immediate and thorough examina-
ton of the state treasurer's office.
When Mr.. Kelly was today shown the
statement made by A. L. Thomas he
made the written statement given at
the end of this article in which he de-
clares he changed no figures, that he
left the office with a clear conscience
nd hof moi haInnp
to him; that he had recently refused to
give Mr. Thomas a place in his office;
that the latter was offended at various
things and was now a defendant in a
case charging him, Thomas, with re-
tanning illegal fees when register of
deeds; that he was an ex-jointist, etc.
Mr.. Thomas statement, accompanied
by the facsimile plates, (see page p, is
as follows:
STATEMENT OF A. L. THOMAS.
1.-The opposition to Thomas T. Kelly,
state treasurer, is based upon the be-
lief of his corruption in office while
county clerk of that county.
1T has been currently rumored in
Miami county, Mr.. Kelly's home, that
there was gross crookedness in his ad-
ministration of the office of county
clerk, which office he held for two
terms from 1890 to 1894, but no effort
Gently. Being importuned by Mr..
Kelly's friends to espouse his candidacy
for state treasurer and being satisfied
that the facts in this matter were
readily capable of proof, many leading
Republicans of the county requested me
to make sufficient investigation to eS-
ia blish the truth or falsity of the ru-
mOrs that were current. Upon such in
vestigation as 1 have had opportunity
to make within the past few days Of
certain Miami county records and vOu-
guilt was discovered. In the light
of the facts disclosed and here
with submitted I feel that cannot sup
port Mr.. Kelly, neither can remain si-
lent in this matter without violating my
duty to the Republican party and the
people of Kansas, but must speak out
before the time of the nominating con-
vention.
while county clerk, changed the figures
on certain bills against the county |
raising the amounts, and collecting the
accounts as raised remitting the sums
originally named, and retaining to his |
own use the difference between the ori- |
ginal bills and the figures he substitut
ed. In proof of these charges, the ori- |
ginal papers and photographs and plates
of then have been secured.
THE plates published herewith are fac |
similes of the county records of the |
clerk of Miami county, under |
Mr. kellys adminiStra ton, and speak |
shameful corruption during Mr.. Kel- |
ly's administration. They should pre- |
clude the possibility of his further be-
ing considered available as a candidate |
for state treasurer.
plate No. is the account of Crane |
G. Co, showing balance due Crane & |
Co from Miami county to be s46.25.
plate No. 1 shows the filing on the |
reverse side of this bill and the attest |
of its correctness by Mr.. Kelly as coun- |
ty clerk It shows that the figure 1 was |
placed before the figure after the bill |
was allowed by the board, increasing |
the amount $100.
''Plate No. shows the stub of the |
warrant record, No. 2163, of the county |
clerk on which Kelly as county clerk |
receipted January 5, 1894, for S146 25, |
which amount he drew in the name of |
Crane & Co.. from the county treasury |
as shown by the record of county war /
-ants paid by the county treasurer (see |
plate No A., remitting to Crane & Co. |
s46. .25, the amount due them as shown !
oy their sworn statement copied from /
heir books. and appropriating $100 to /
n