The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-02-20

for any one of three reasons-his record
in Miami county, his action as chairman
of the board of equalization, and his
defeat of all measures in the legislature
which would deprive him of the oppor-
tunity to get the rake-off from the in
terest on the money in the state
treasury.
Since Secretary of State Burrow and
Clark A Smith have persuaded J. 0.
Laffer of Jewell City not to run, after
his county instructed for him, because it
would endanger the chances OF all three,
the Kelly organs are trying to d1scred1t
the candidacy of H. w. Grass of La
Crosse. They are printing over and
over again a letter written by Mr.. Grass
to his former partner, Hill P. Wilson,
assistant secretary of state. Rush
county drafted" Mr. Grass for state
treasurer, but at first Mr.. Grass gave
little thought to the matter. He wrote
the following letter to Mr.. Wilson,
which is the one the Kelly organs are
publishing to prove that Mr. Grass is
not running:
Lacrosse, Kan, Feb. 4, 1904
Dear Mr.. Wilson: Your favor of the
first received. The resolution recon-
mending my nomination for state treas
urer was passed by the Rush county
central committee without consulting
me it being the opinion of a number
that if the Republicans were cleaning
mouse lneY ndu better make a clean
sweep of it, or especially remove those
whom we. as Republicans have had or
Will have to defend. I have received
several letters of inquiry, but 1 realize
that the political fight has been made
and won, and that it viii not go beyond
defeating the governor and Albaugh
for chairman.
H. w. GRASS"
Since that time Mr.. Grass has heard
from other localities. There is a strong
demand that he make the race against
Mr.. Kelly and he has consented to do
so. He announced in his visit to To-
peka on Friday that he will now make
as active a campaign for the nominal
tiOn as his business will permit
Up to this time 1 have been tied up
IN my bank on account of the sick
ness OF one of my associates" sail
Mr.. Grass, but now I am able to get
fway a little do not wish to nuke
any aims, but from what 1 hear there
seems to be widespread inclination TO
defeat Mr.. Kelly because of his past
record. and since I have gone into the
raea, would, of course. like the 1lonli-
batIon."
Mr.. Grass is native of Blair county.
Pa, He came to Kansas in 1877 and
settled on homestead in Ellis county.
Later he served as county sLperintend-
ent, and in 1882 he entered Hin p VII
sons bank at Hays City. ren.aini1g
with it until 1896, four years aft.r Mr..
wilson sold out At that time national
bank at Lacrosse needed a new mana
ger, and the directors secured Mr..
Grass. He reorganized the institution.
put 1t on solid foundation. and row
it is recognized as one of the leading
financial institutions in that part of
the state. Mr.. Grass is it's president
and cashier.
These facts concerning Mr.. Grass are
eecur Fl from Air. Wilson. who has
nothing but the words of highest praise
to say of Mr.. Grass as man. although
Mr.. Wilson as assistant to Secretary Of
State Burrow, would like to see Mr.
Grass stay out of the race for state
treasurer because Mr.. Burrow is tied
up with Kelly.
few newspapers are now criticisine
Speaker Pringle because he appointed
3. p. Waggener chairman of the in.
dietary committee in the house last
winter, and yet representatives of these
very papers requested Speaker Pringle
20 make the appointment. Every news.