The Topeka state journal., 1906-06-19

ward off innuendoes cast BY unthinking
or unscrupulous persons, then denials
VIII avail them little in defense no
maj tier how fervent and caustic the
language used may be.
Scandal mongering is no new thing
It is probably coeval with mankind;
the high and low may alike be victims
and those in private as well as IN pup
lie life. Only few days since the
speaker of the house Of representatives
one of the most honored citizens Of
the nation-had TO descend to the floor
of the house IN order to resent imputa-
tfors made by political opponent
Right thinking people viii not accept
statements detogatory TO their fellow
men unless they are supported by some
sort OF evidence.
whatsoever lends greedy ear to a
slanderous report Is either himself OF
radically bad disposition. or mere
child in sense.
THE result of the investigation
made by your committee is a cOnyic-
ton that the innuendoes and imputa-
tions of the so-called sMoilers state
ment have fallen harmless in so far as
affecting the standing of members of
this body and OF the other persons
named is concerned. Nevertheless a
serious offeuse was committed which
should not be passed over. State
ments were made which to the un-
thinking might appear to reflect upon
the honor Of members OF this council
and upon that of other reputable citi-
zens of this city; the dignity of this
council as body was assaiIed, and
the people of Topeka as a whole we're
insulted because a represe ntative body
of men will be neither better nor
worse than are the people who put
them in places of public trust, For
these reasons the execution and pub
lication of the affidavit cannot be too
severely criticized.
The persons who were named in
connection with the making and pub
fishing of the paper were asked to
appear before your committee at a
meeting recently held.
Mr.. Maunsell and his attorney, Mr.
OVermyer, were. present, as also was
Mr.. DOran, representing Mr.. Myers
The sworn affidavit of Moller was be-
fore the committe, Moller himself be-
Mr.. Maunsell to your committee were
not under oath, but were so treated,
as a willingness to be sworn was ex-
pressed by him Mr.. Maunsell made
such statements as he desired and an
swered all questions put to him by
members of the committee, by his at
torney, Mr.. Overnnyer, and Mr.. Doran,
attorney for Mr.. Myers. Mr.. Maunsell
positively and earnestly denied that
he had made the statements attrib-
uted to him by the affidavit and espe-
cially those relating to members of
this council He also submitted after
ward letters, kilograms and other
documents to substantiate his state
ments. Mr.. MaunselI has been for
many years a respected and reputable
business man of Topeka, and has been
associated with some of our most
prominent business men whose in
tegrity cannot be questioned
''Mr. 'AIoiler' is a stranger to the
people Of Topeka, and his history and
character are wholly unknown. Ad-
mittedly he was a hired detective.
and experience has taught that such
persons are often very unscrupulous.
''As between these two men, with
the evidence before it, your committee
must believe Mr.. MaunselL
"At the time the affidavit was read
to the streets and walks committee by
Mr. Myers, he announced that he
believed the statements affecting
couneilmen and other citizens of To-
peka to be without foundation, and
wholly false. and he has since con-
frmed that position by interviews pub
1ished in the press of the city.
while Mr.. Myers may not have in
tended by the publication OF the affi-
davit or by other acts to reflect upon
the persons named in the affidavit.
other than Mr.. Maunseu, yet the tend
ency of his acts was to affect all who
were named, therefore your commit
tee feels that he has committed
grievous wrong If not libeleus
offense.
This report is made at this time
because the council at its last meeting
so directed and is based upon develop
ments up TO the present time. AS other
! light may be shed later upon the
/ transa ctiOn, your committee does not
think that the incident should be con-
sidered as closed and believes that the
council should be ready to act in re-
lation to others involved in the pro-
curement and publication of the af1i-
davit should OCCASION arise
"In view Of what is here stated
/ your committee recommends that the
/ resolutions herewith submitted be
adopted as substitute for all resolu-
tions heretofore referred to the com
mittee."