The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-06-11
Calls 1t Combination of Error.
Deception and Buff
UNDERTHE COATTAILS
Says Mr.. Long Hides Behind
President Roosevelt.
Reiterates Charge That He Has
StOod by Wall Street.

Emporia, Kan, June 1.-THE de-
tense Of Senator Long against the
charges formally presented against
him." said w. A. White this morning,
form curious com mbination of error,
self deception and bluff In most of
the cases the defense is sheer bluff,
and most remarkable lodging of the
main issue and hiding behind the
presidential coat tails. Time and
again in his argument does he cite
President Roosevelt's language to
prove his contention, when the con-
tent1on If properly and fairly stated
would be an unspeakable shock to the
we'll known position of the president
upon public questions. 1t is the argu-
ment of lawyer for the defense who
cares nothing for the evidence. notn-
ing for logic, and is playing to an
ignorant jury.
Take the case of the first charge
against him: voting to validate certain
fraudulent New Mexico bonds. The
debates in the house clearly showed
that the bonds were fraudulent. They
were declared fraudulent on the floor
of the house because they were clearly
issued to build two roads when as a
matter of fact they were issued to
build one. The record shows that the
delegate from the territory, on whom
Long so proudly relies, was mem
Der of a legal firm employed to repre-
sent the bondholders. Yet in the face
of the law and evidence Long voted to
validate the bonds.
Northern Pacific Reorganization.
elm the reorganization of the North
ern Pacific his justification for a piece
of legislative folly that was too rank
even for man whom he himself
abuses, Lemuel Eli Quigg, lies IN the
fact that the congressman along the
line of the road desired it done and
| made congressman in. those days, one
is appalled, at Longs audacity in MAX
ing such a defense. OF course they
wanted it done. or they would not be
congressmen along that line Of road. 8
Three hundred and eighty million
dollars was involved and only 20 min
utes allowed to debate 1T and yet Long
voted for the actiop,s although it was so
| rank that the senate stopped the deal
Yet Long dares to defend it, depending
the facts in the case. He is playing
the old game of bluff. But in the case
of the reorganization of the Atlantic
& Pacific, he is right. The charge
against him is unjust, and should be
dismissed. There is no disposition OH
the part of those opposing Long to
| defeat him unfairly and this charge
| made under misapprehension Of the
facts is unfair, and should not be held
| against him.
I'm the case of the settlement of the
Pacific railroads in 1897, the railroads
were trying to get the time Of settle
ment of their debt to the government
| extended. and the interest cut down
| The shameless way these roads were
plundered, and the government rob-
| bed of its interest are matters of his
tory. The proposals of the railroads
for which Long voted were so palpably
wrong that they were defeated, and
Long himself in his speech admits that
| his vote was wrong. Yet his idea al
| ways Is to give the people the worst
Of 1t and the railroads the best Of IT.
| But in this case he hadn't the brass
| to defend his vote.
| His vote in favor Of the famous tick
ct scalping bill. bill notoriously framed
| within a sugarcoat for the ign orant
| was so rank that congress could not
| stand for 1t even if Long could, and
| his vote did the railroads no good
Quotes Senator Curtis.
But the vote which according to Sen.
| ator Charles Curtis gave Long the sen.
| atorial election was his vote on the set.
| tlement Of the Sioux City & Pacific in.
debtedness to the government. 1t was
| so clearly recognized as a railroai
| vote that Curtis and other Kansas con
| gressmen were afraid to risk followins
Long. But he was bold. and the Unio1
Pacific attorney in Topeka deserted
life long friend in the senatorial con
test, and under orders went to Lon,
his vote, Long was wrong, and tn,
fact that he sheds crocodile tears oval
President Mckinley does not explain
the fact that under the settlement fo
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