The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-07-25
Writes Personal Letter to State
Journal from Canada.
Denies Charges Made by Will
liam Allen White.
WILL GO AFTER HIM,
He Says, When He Has Time to
Take Matter Up.
Declares He Hasn't Been in
Kansas for Ten Years.

In connection with Missouri legisla-
tive affairs, various references have
been made to an alleged interview with
D. ]. Kelley, the baking powder agent
now in Canada. This paper has never
been able to get its eyes upon that par
ticular interview.
The State Journal recently sent a let
ter to Mr.. Kelley. who is now in Can
ada, writing him that William Allen
White has recently quoted you as say
ing that you had at one time purchased
the Kansas legislature. This Is a mat
ter in which the readers of this paper
will be especially Interested We will be
glad to receive a statement of your side
of the case.''
Mr.. Kelley has replied from Niagara
On-The-Lake, Ontario, under date OF
July %, wherein he says. This whole
business is a blackmailing scheme of
Lees. The trial which will be held at
jefferson City July 2S will show the true
inwardness of the matter. The state
ment of William Allen White is an in
famous libel and one L shall pursue him
for when 1 get time to get after hln-
He will find he is not dealing with an
irresponsible man, but one who has both
the means and courage to maintain MS
rights. Please send me the statement by
White; have not seen it. Suffice 1t to
say now that if White says I have had
any corrupt connection or transaction
of any kind with the Kansas, or any
other legislature of this country, he has
lied and out of the whole cloth. 1t is
upwards of ten years since l visited
Kansas"
The statement referred to in our let
ter was based on the following in the
Emporia Gazette:
If the direct charge of boodling made
by Kelley, the Missouri cOrrupt1onlSt, Is
not investigated by the Republicans TINS
year and proved false or true, and II
true the scoundrels punished, the people
will take the matter up next year at tne
polls There is nothing so important 1T
politics as cleanliness. 1t would not hurl
the Republican party in Kansas Oh
to have it proved that five leaders II
each house were corrept. if the Repuoll'
cans prove it and punish the onenders
Kelley, the corrupt agent of the bak1ns
powder trust, says that he once pougn
, the Kansas legislature. His remark VII
cause laugh to spread over the state
That kind of sneer should call for thu
! sternest investigation. Political brl
berry and corruption are no gisgllni
matters.
"a
on-the-Lake says;
PANEL ]. Kelley says that within tn
5 last two weeks John A. Lee has entere'
into negotiations with several person
= to settle everything for $1,000 No
long ago Lee refused an offer of $l0,OO
t from a we'll known St Louis attorne
representing railroad interests to leaV
the country. After this attorney say
the letters and documents in Kelley
possession he withdrew his offer.
4 1t would not surprise Kelley If LIE
should fail to appear when the case
against Farris, Smith and Matthew
/. are called at Jefferson City. Whe
t Lees emissaries stated that $4,000
was needed to call off the states wit
= ness Kelley inquired what Lee intende
to do with so large sum-
$ He will go to India" said Lee
e friend, land there he intends to go int
the general merchandise business"
2 Tell him for me-" exclaimed Kelley
= that so far as I am concerned he ca
e go to -
E kelley holds indisputable document
2 showing that Lee made a big stake a
2 the 1901 session of the Missouri legIsla
!. ture He says that Lee received n
less than $1,000 from the railroad in
terests, $1,000 of which was paid to hlT
. for permitting a well known lobbyis
{ to name the members of the ra;lroa
: | committee Altogether Kelley says LIE
!: cleared at least $4,000 that session, an
y | probably more. So elated was the lieu
i | tenant governor over his success tha
: he wrote Kelley he would be able
: clear a mortgage of Sc, 900.