The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-10-10
A FEW COMMENTS.
Something About Kelly's Comanche
County Bond Deal.

Emporia Gazette: This paper can
not afford to help a man whom it be-
lieves to be as bad man as Tom KEEL
ly is by being unfair to him. A news
paper that is unfair to a man ss.a is
clearly after him, only helps him.
Though the Gazette believes Tom Kelly
is crooked and has said so, it has never
failed to print every line Tom Kelly
has issued in his own defense. The
people should read both sides of the
controversy. And they should read
both sides without prejudice for or
against Mr.. Kelly. Many people in En-
poria do not like the Topeka state
Journal-though it seems to the writer
thereof a fair, brave newspaper-but
the fact that the people do not like the
Journal should not prejudice the peo-
pie against the sworn testimony of
mer of perfectly good repute merely
because it was printed in the Journal
great many other people in Empor1a
dislike the Capital-though it seems to
be a worthy newspaper and on import
ant matters is fair-yet the fact that
Mr.. Kelly'S statement is printed in the
Capital has nothing to do with its
truth or falsity. 1t should stand on the
record.
THE only opinion the Gazette has in
the matter is probably prejudice, but
it is intended to be honestly fair to Mr..
Kelly. He devoted nearly a column of
his statement to abusing his enemies
Doubtless they have annoyed Mr.. Kelly
a good deal. But it would seem that
the thirty-five lines he used in denying
the allegations against him should have
been multiplied by two or three show
ing the records, and subStantiating his
word. The checks We're made July 26;
the bond deal was closed August IL; IS
is asking too much of Mr.. Kelly to
print a transcript of the record showing
when the refunding took place; and to
print a copy of the record showing
when the contract to buy the bonds was
made and executed? There is a direct
Of
only fair that Mr.. Kelly should cor
roborate his word by the records, when
they are at his hand.
1.-The Gazette is perfectly willing to
admit that this doubt of Mr.. &elly's
word may be the result of a strong
feeling that he is not exactly candid
and open and honest. And other Repub-
licans may not share this view. But 1t
is printed for what it is worth. Mi.
Kelly is on the Republican ticket. 1t
is his duty to furnish Republicans with
every scrap of substantiatfng testimony
at his hand, when they are called upon
to defend him.
ottawa Herald: The publication by
the Topeka State Journal last night of
the sworn testimony of Kansas City
State Treasures Kelly state treasurer's
checks for $123, 900 to redeem the
note given by A. A. GODDARD for the
purchase of the original Comanche
county bonds which We're afterward
sold to the state school fund makes
the case against Mr.. Kelly a serious
one, and adds an ugly look to the
Comanche county bond deal Mr.
Kelly's explanation of the charge of
having used this money in a manner
which constitutes embezzlement under
the law, is principally made up of
TRADE against those who have been
to him. What is wanted is
the proof that the Topeka tSate Jour
nal has lied about Mr. Kelly and that
it's headline of last night, Tom Kelly
an embezzler,' is a libel upon an inno-
cent man.