The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-10-10
a PAPER USUALLY FAIR.

The Kansas City Star. which is
usually a fair paper ard which is
making a noble fight in Missouri
against corruption. is strangely silent
or apologize about corruption in
Kansas, in which state it has very
large circulation. In urging the cleo
ton OF Folk, the Democratic candi-
date for governor, the Star is doing
a great good work, for Folk in his
way in his state is doing for Missouri
what Roosevelt is doing for the ma
ton. Both have shown themselves to
be brave, fearless men and each has
attacked, exposed and brought to pun
ishment corrupt officials. each in his
own party.
A notorious scandal concerning the
Comanche county bond purchase, and
involving the state treasurer of Kan
sas and the three state school COM
missioners, all four of whom are can
didates for reelection, is known to
exist. Sworn testimony of the officers
of the Interstate National bank, of
Kansas City, Kas., has been printed
in this paper proving the state treas
urer an embezzler.
The Star has strangely ignored and
suppressed the news bearing on the
school fund deal. 1t finally referred
to the matter yesterday under a To-
peka date line, as follows:
1.-The fight between the factions of
the Republican party has become so
bitter that one crowd is now charging
that Kelly embezzled the funds of the
state. This charge is made in the
face of count of the funds this week
by Governor Bailey; his state account
ant, Charles Rowett; the secretary OF
state, J. r. Burrow. and the assistant
Ia
THE examination of the Treasury
was made at a time when Treasurer
Kelly and his assistant, r. c. Richie,
were absent from the city. The eX-
animation was thorough and the MEM
bers of the board expressed themselves
as very we'll satisfied with the condi-
ton of the accounts when they i'm
iShed.
''The treasurer is charged by his
enemies, who are men driven out of
power by E. w. Hoch and his faction,
with misusing the funds of the state
in paying for bonds, which the mem
bers of the school fund commission
already had agreed to purchase.
IT. T. Kelly said today The state
school fund commission in the regular
way bought $123,O00 worth of Co
manche county bonds and the treas
urer of state, who is custodian of the
funds issued checks for that amount
to pay for the same. The bonds were
in my possession WREN l paid for them
The managers of the Kansas City pa
per evidently believe the information
they are printing from Topeka is cor
rect. The State journal has such re-
spect for the Star that it does not be-
lieve that its editors viii willfully pub
lish what is not true and suppress inn
portant news bearing upon the recent
infamous transaction in connection
with the purchase of the Comanche
county bonds by the state. school fund
commission.
The Star should know that the ex-
posure of the Comanche county deal
was ferreted. out by the State journal
as q newspaper looking for the truth
and with a desire to make public dis
reputable official transactions. 1t did
this without the suggestion of any poll
tician, Democrat or Republican. 1t dis
covered the recent embezzlement of
Treasurer Kelly without the instiga-
ton or aid of any political party or
faction. It unearthed the deal while
evidence to defend itself in a
libel suit brought by the school fund
commissioners against this paper.
The Star knows, of course, that the
counting OF the funds in the treasurer's |
Office a few days ago is a mere form.
sun Il the IUIluS 1etQ Dcen COuIlLEQ DG-
tween the 26th of July and the 18th day
of August there would have been found
a shortage Of cash to the amount of
$123, 900 which MI. Kelly advanced to
carry Mr.. GODDARD on the school bond
transaction from July Goth until the
purchased the bonds Aug
ust 18th.
The state treasurer is charged with |
misusing the funds of the state, by the !
editor of the State Journal who has
never been driven out of power by r. |
w. Hoch and his faction"
The Star should know that the state |
ment it publishes from Mr.. Kelly, as
above printed, is not true, because the |
state school fund commission did not /
buy the Comanche county bonds in rhe |
regular way, and the checks Mr.. Kelly /
issued were not to pay for the Co !
county bonds later bought b. /
the state school commission. but were /
to pay for an entirely different issue
Of bonds which Mr.. GODDARD had put up t
as collateral on q note wnitn Was past /
due when Mr.. Kelly issued the state
treasurer checks to take il up. The /
bonds which were in Mr.. Kelly's POSSES
sion when he paid for them We're 6 per