The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-09-18
CLARK TELLS IT.
Gives Details of Deal With
Conner Davies.
Prints a Copy of the Albaugh
Telegram.
LETTER FROM LELAND.
Tells About Lit Crum Coming
to Topeka.
Then Made Proposition to Sc
cure Davies Flop.
LETTER FROM LELAND.

George A. Clark, state printer, in
signed statement in the Concordia Daily
Blade gives the following version or the
deal with Conner Davies which has
created general comment in Kansas po-
litical circles Following is the state
ment:
Conner Davies of the Kansan has de-
manded proof that he tried to sell the
influence of his paper to the Republican
state committee for $4,000. 1 will en-
deavor to accommodate him. Since the
question has been sprung 1 have tried
to get at the very bottom of the thing
SO as to give the people of Cloud county
the exact truth, and as a result of my
investigation 1 have ascertained some
facts that would convince a jury or the
guilt of the aforesaid Davies if it ever
got to trial.
In the first place. the first knowledge
I had of the proposed deal was when
Cyrus Leland showed me a telegram
from Morton Albaugh relative to the
matter. The telegram is given below.
AS to the facts of the proposed Davies
sell out:
Mr.. Davies was juror in the federal
court at Leavenworth in June, 1902, ana
drew his pay for it as evidenced by the
court records.
Mr.. l.. S. Crum was United States
marshal at the time and attended that
term of court in his official capacity.
While the court was in session MI.
Crum came over to Topeka and sub
mitted Mr. Davies sell out proposition
to Mr.. Leland. Mr.. Leland and Mr..
Crum put the proposition to Mr.. AL
baugh. Mr.. Albaugh said the commit
tee had no funds on hands at that time.
as it was the beginning of the cam
paign. Nothing was done then with the
proposition.
Some days later Mr. Crum again SUBJ
mitted the DroDosition. No definite re-
ply was given. Mr. Albaugh started
for Indiana on June 10. The next day,
when he reached st Louis, he wired
Mr.. Leland not to close the Davies deal
unless it was satisfactory to Clark. Lee
| land showed me this telegram 1t was
the first l knew of the deal, and I
| stopped it right then and there
The files of the Kansan about that
| time will show that Mr.. Davies was
becoming very lukewarm in his support
of the fusion forces. They showed
plainly that he was getting in shape
to make an easy flop to the Republi-
| cans when the deal was closed The
! Kansan's files will also show that Mr..
Albaugh until after the death of Mr.
Crum, and newer stook any personal
shots at me until after had purchased
| the Empire and consolidated it with
the Blade. After MIR Crunl's death Mr..
Davies felt secure, believing that the
secret of his proposed sell-out was
buried with Mr.. Crum, but it wasn't.
| The telegram, which is still in exist
ence. is the mute but by no means
silent witness to this attempted Doodle
| transaction.
,d knowing that Mr.; Leland. was in
following letter of inquiry:
Topeka Sept IL, 1903
Mr.. Cyrus Leland, Topeka, Kas.:
! Dear Sir-Will you please tell me
what you know about Conner Davies
trying to sell the influence of his paper
to the Republican committee in 1902
l desire to use it in answering Mr..
| Davies assaults on me-
Respectfully
GEORGE A CLARK.
Mr.. Leland'S reply follows:
Topeka, Kan, Sept. II, 1903.
Hon. Geo. A Clark, Topeka, Kan
Dear Sir: l have yours of the 10Th
instant, requesting me to give what
information I have regarding Conner
L. Davies trying to sell the influence of
his paper. early in the campaign of
Early in June, 1902, the late Hon. L.
S. Crum came to Topeka from the
Leavenworth June term of the United
states count. He then stated to me he
had a proposition from Conner T.
Davies to flop; or in other words he
had had several talks with Mr.. Davies
and finally secured proposition from
| Mr.. Davies, that for the sum of $4,000
he would come over to the grand old
party; that Mr.. Davies, if he changed,
said he would lose subscribers. and adj
vertisements and would want the com
mittee to make good such loss; that he
would furnish the committee copies of
his paper to circulate that would con-
tain his editorials, giving good argu-
! front. Mr.. Crum seemed anxious to
have deal made, saying that Mr..
Davies was quite a factor among the
leaders of the fusion forces; that should
| Oh IN,
| f1uence a large number of voters to
support the Republican ticket. Mr..
Crum and myself called on Mr.. AL
baugh and talked the proposition over.
Mr.. Albaugh stated that it was early
| in the campaign and that the commit
| tee had no funds to speak of. Mr.. Crum
| said would not be required to pay
| the $4,000 down and in a short time
we could raise whatever was necessary.
Nothing was agreed upon at this con-
ference. Some days afterward. Mr..
Crum again called Mr.. Albaugh's and
my attention to the Davies PROPOSE
| ton and wanted an answer. The ques-
| ton was not settled then. Mr.. AL
baugh left for Indiana on June 10. The
day he left l spoke to him regarding
the Davies deal and said to him that
George Clark had an interest in news
paper at Concordia, that this fact ought
spend $1,000 on Mr.. Davies The next
day / received a telegram from Mr.
| Albaugh from St. Louis. 1 enclose
copy of the message. Very truly yours,
c. LELAND, JR.
The tell tale telegram which is such
conspicuous witness in the case
reads:
St. Louis, Mo-, June 20, 1902.
To Hon c. Leland. Jr-. Topeka, Kan:
! Don't close Davies deal with Crum
unless satisfactory to Clark See him.
MORTON ALBAUGH.
To the Citizens of Cloud County:
You have read Mr.. A1baugh's state
ment.
You have read Mr.. Leland's state