Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1904-11-03
DEMANDS I:l i i S; INVESTIGATION
OFFERS TO RESIGN iF HIS AcA
COUNTS ARE NOT CORRECT.
He Puts His Resignation In Hands Of
Hondsmen and Urges Thorough
Investigation by an Unbiased Ae'
countant-ot News

Investigation by an Unbiased Ae'
countant-other News.
In order that no Republican can
have an excuse for not voting
straight ticket because Of the charges
made against him in the midst of the
campaign, State Treasurer 7. T. Kelly
offers to resign II upon an impartial
examination Of the treasury his ac-
counts are not found to be absolutely
correct. The charges were made
against him in the eleventh hour. after
1t was too late to withdraw as a candi'
date. So he did the only thing posi-
BILE, and that was to put his resigna-
ton in the hands of his bondsmen and
demand an investigation. His letter
follows:
,'To Mr.. H. P. Dillon, Topeka. Kas.
Dear Sir: After Governor Bailey
was defeated for denomination he ap.
pointed a state accountant, thing
which he had persistently refused to
do up to that time. This accountant,
after monthsof entirely ex parte invest
igation, comes forward. Just before the
election, with a number of vague in
situations and general criticisms, and
with no matter which may be called a
specific charge against me as treasurer.
The accountants report is made with.
out giving me a chance 10 be heard OF
to explain, and 1t is made so late that
a full and impartial investigation can
not be made before election.
Under all these circumstances, am
forced to the belief that the said ac'
countant was appointed, not for the
purpose of protecting the people nor
for any other honorable motive, but
for the purpose of comprising my pa-
litical defeat and of injuring the Re-
publican tickets, state, Legislative and
county.
Nevertheless, the report has been
made with enough of ingenuity and
FEASIBILITY to raise doubt In the
minds of some voters The people are
properly sensitive about the care OF
their funds, and many are easily
frightened, as my personal and polit-
ical enemies we'll know.
There is no shortage in the state
treasury: there has been none. l court
a speedy, full, impartial investigation
Of my office. Such an Investigation
will necessarily occupy several months,
as many millions of dollars have pass
ed through my hands.
"Under these circumstances, what
guaranty Can l give OF the falsity of
the charges. the truth of my statements
and the soundness and integrity of my
position, more than to hand you here
with my resignation of the office OF
treasurer for the term for which con-
fidently expect to be elected. l request
that you cause a full, complete and
searching investigation to be made in
to the affairs of my office by some firm
of disinterested expert accountants. II
such investigation shall show that
there is or has been any shortage in
the treasurer's accounts or funds for
which l was responsible, or Which,
with diligence, l might have averted,
then request you to file such resigna-
ton with the governor of the state.
81 am coz adent that there Is or has
been no shortage. am certain that
there Is or has been no shortage for
which l was or am in any way morally
blamable; and l am confident that the
great mass of the voters believe in
fair play.
81 take this step not because I fear
defeat before the people, but to assures
the Republicans of Kansas tnat l put
party before self. There are Republic
cans whose minds have been poisoned
by false charges my enemies nave
made against me. and SO that they
may have no provocation to vote for
a Democrat for the Office of treasurer
Of the state Of Kansas, now place my
resignation In escrow.
1.-THE condition Of the escrow is that,
II my accounts be found to be short, or
my administration Of de Office OF
treasurer dishonest In any respect, the
resignation shall be delivered to the
governor and by him accepted. II by
these expert accountants or q judicial
determination be acquitted of the
charges, the resignation is to be re.
turned to me.
81 address this to you, because you
are one of my bondHmen, who are more