The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-09-05
AIbaugh Kelly COntrOyers!
Causes Much Comment.
People of State Interested in
Increase of Taxes.
SURE HE is RIGHT.
Salina Journal Satisfied Will
Albaugh'S Statement.
Has Always Been Accurate in
His Figures.

Probably nothing that has happened IN
the political arena in the last swo years
has created much more comment in the
newspapers Of the state than Morton AL
baugh's charge against State Treasurer
Kelly. that the latter has manipulated
the state board of equalization so that
more than a half million dollars of ex-
cessive state taxes will be raised inti-
mating that the extra money is for de-
posit in the banks for the purpose of
getting the interest on it.
Even the Miami county charges
against Mr.. Kelly last year did not cause
as much general comment as has this
allegation made by the chairman of the
Republican state committee against the
state treasurer. This is caused doubt
less by the fact that many people took
no personal interest in the Miami county
affair. while they have a personal inter-
est in the taxation matter. as the taxes
of every taxpayer in the state of Kan
sas, with the exception of those in five
or six countless including Miami, Neosho
and Smith of course, have been increas-
ed as result of the raise.
Dozens of newspapers over the state
have published more or less about the
controversy this week, and a consider
able number have commented on it edi-
torially. The Salina Evening Journal
publishes the following editorial on the
subject:
Chairman Albaugh stands by his
statement that the raising of the pro-
perty valuation and the increasing of the
state tax levy by the state board OF
equalization was wholly unnecessary
and that without this increase there
would have been sufficient funds raised
to meet all the appropriations for state
purposes made by the legislature of 1908.
Those who know Mr. Albaugh and his
methods know that it is one of his rules
of political procedure to be sure he is
right and then go ahead regardless OF
the consequences. Mr.. Albaugh has
never yet been caught blutfing in pO-
liticaI game and when it is played out
he has always held the cards. When
he was conducting his first state cam
paign chairman of the Republican
state central committee he gave out the
majority Mr.. Stanley would receive, and.
the election returns proved that he knew
what he was talking about. His figures
were doubted and denied, but Mr. AL
baugh insisted they were right and so
they were proven by the election re-
turns.
The same was true of the succeed
ing campaign and election, and has
been true of every statement Mr.
Albaugh has made. and the political
history of the state fails to record a
tempted to deceive the people or iugsle
with figures to support a proposition.
Weeks before the Wichita convention
was held he stated that Mr.. Bailey
would be nominated. and followed this
with a statement in figures of the
strength he would have in that cOnven-
tion. The result of that convention
showed that Mr. Albaugh had again
scored. There is not a man interested
in politics in Kansas who does not re-
member the ViciousneSS of the attack
made upon Mr.. Albaugh's statement
that MIR. Pringle would be elected
speaker of the legislature. but the re-
suit was another proof that the chair
man of the Republican state commit
tee knew what he was talking about.
The same men and newspapers who
denied the correctness of Mr.. AL
baugh's figures regarding the strength
of Mr.. Bailey at the Wichita conven-
tion. and who declared he was bluff
ing in the speakershiD game last win
ter, are now denying his figures re-
Gardins the raising of the valuation
of property OF the state and the in
creasing of the tax levy. But as he
always has done Mr.. Albaugh stands
pat, because he has made a thorough
investigation Of conditions before max
ing any statement. He has issued the
challenge to State Treasurer Kelly that
they leave this matter to any member
of the supreme court of the state whom
Mr.. Kelly may select. and the one who
Is wrong shall resign his office Mr.
Albaughs proposition is that if this
) mem Der of the supreme court finds that
the state board of equalization, COM
posed of State Treasurer Kelly State
Auditor Wells and Secretary of State
Burrow. has raised the valuation of
the state ana increased the state tax
levy without other cause than to Gre
ate an unneC eSsary surplus. taxing the
people 10 raise an amount not neces-
Esry to meet the a91ropria tions of the
last legislature, then Mr.. Kelly is to re-
sign the office of state treasurer on
the other hand, if this umpire selected
by Mr.. Kelly finds that the increase
made By the board was necessary and
that Mr.. Kelly's statement that the ap-
propriations for the fiscal year ending
July l, 1904. were one-half million dol
lars more than the appropria tions for
the @scal year ending July L. 1903, ne
cessitating the raising of $500. 900 more
TO care for such appropriations than
had been raised for the preceding year
was true. then Mr.. Albaugh is to resign
the office of bank commissioner.
MI Albaugh has checked il up to
MI. Kelly, and it is his move. He has
offered to leave the controversy to men
who should and do know. who have
every facility at their command to get
at lhe truth of tho matter and offers to
Hplue ny the result and take his pun
lShment for attempting to deceive the
people. Is Mr. Kellv willing to do tbe
sahle Has he the same confidence in
the lustness of his cause? If he has not
5sSn It,Sil attempting TO trade upon the Gre
nullty OF the people and attempting to
pay upon their prejudice for the pur-
pose OF advancing his own interests and
TOR political purposes. let him come to
the scratch. The proposition of M
taloaugh viii appeal to the fairness of
The people. What the people want is to
get at the truth of the matter and pun
rlsn those who are guilty. whoever that
NAV be-" q 'Aa
Ewing Herbert gays that Congress
man Gurus proposes to make a fight
for Nemaha county, Governor RaiIev,s
home, in the congressional contest, and