The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-01-05
BAILEY PAYS IT.
Ex-Governor Sends Draft for
$1,000 to Mr.. Coleman.
a Manly Letter Explain
ing His Action.
CLAIM IS UNJUST
Better Afford to Suffer Wrong
Than False ImputatiOn.
None of His Claims Ever Stamped
''NOt Paid for Want of Funds %

W. J. Bailey, ex-governor of Kansas,
has sent Attorney General Coleman
draft for 81 200 with the following let
ter:
'Baileyville. Kan, Dec. 26. 1905.
&C c. Coleman, Attorney General, To-
peka, Kan.
MY attorneys have informed me that
you have determined 81 200 to be the
amount of the claim me state has
against me under the decision Of the
supreme court that declared a part OF
the act of 1908 unconstitutional which
appropriated $1,000 per year for the
maintenance of the executive residence.
I am prompted to pay this amount
into the state treasury on account OF
tain newspapers that the state has
just claim against me under the decis-
ion of the supreme court.
Il have lived in Kansas twenty-six
years which covers the period of my
active business life and no just claim
stamped not paid for want of funds.
I am a candidate for no office, but
am and always will be a candidate
for the confidence and respect of the
people OF Kansas who have honored me-
I believe the claim, under the law and
the presidents, is unjust and that the
attempted enforcement of it would
emphasize a political persecution for
which there is no cause and in which
there is no justice.
There is very wide difference of
opinion among my friends as to whether
should voluntarily pay this pretended
claim; but I feel that in paying this
money into the state treasury can
wrong no one but myself and that I can
better afford to suffer this wrong than I
can to rest under the imputation that
I have misappropriated one dollar of
the funds entrusted to my care as gov
ernOr Os Kansas.
Il therefore enclose you draft for ST.,
200 which you are hereby authorized to
turn into the state treasury for payment
in full for all claims the state may have
against me relative to use of the APP
preparation of 1903 for the maintenance
of the executive residence.
Il have the honor to remain, yours
truly, W. J. BAILEY"
Mr.. Coleman turned the draft over
to the state treasurer with an explana-
tory letter.
The total amount of the bills incurred
by Governor Bailey for the care of the
executive mansion. and paid out of the
81 900 maintenance fund appropriated
for that purpose, was Sits Governor
Bailey's attorneys, however, showed
that the state had no possible claim to
a restitution of portion of this amount,
and the sum of $1,000 was agreed upon
as a compromise.
Governor Bailey use1 the $4,000 main
tenance fund under the direction of an
opinion rendered by Attorney General
Coleman. State Treasurer T. T. Kelly
then refused to pay some of the bills,
and mandamus proceedings were com
menced by Governor Bailey in the su-
preme court. The court decided against
Governor Bailey Then the legislature
attempted to square the account by
passing a resolution relieving Governor
Bailey from the debt. The attorney
general held that this was beyond the
power of the legislature. Since then the
negotiations have been simply directed
to ascertaining the amount of the obi
cation resting upon Governor Bailey.
Mr.. COIeman's Letter.
The letter sent by Attorney General