The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-10-12
POLITICAL GOSSIP
Chairman Martin Tells Stubs
He Can Prove 1t.
Missouri Pacific Contributed
$4,000 and Then
SOMETHING HAPPENED
Taxes r. duced Just Twice That
Amount.
Also Claims Railroad Attorneys
o. Il. HOch Speech.

Chairman Henderson Martin of the
Democratic state central committee
has made formal reply to the state
ment of Mr.. w. R. Stubs concerning
railroad contributions. Incidentally
he adds a few more to his list of
charges.
Following is Mr. Martins state
ment:
The fuss our little Stubs docu-
ment has stirred up ought to be inter
esting to the people Of Kansas In
our document we make a number of
charges against Mr.. Stubs.
1--WE first charge that ne promised
his committee when they elected him
chairman in 1904 that after the cleo
ton he would publish the names of
the people who contributed to his
campaign fund. Mr.. Stubs in his in
terview fails to deny that he made
such a promise, and it is fair to pre-
sumo that he admits it.
1--WE also charge that he has failed
and refused to fulfill that promise
and it is fair to presume that he adj
mits this charge and that he accepts
the Roosevelt-Taft doctrine that the
people haven't sense enough to I'M
derstand how an honest man can take
railroad money after he has promised
not to do so.
I'VE also charge that the Missouri
Pacific Railroad company contributed
$4,000 to Mr.. Stubs boss buster
campaign, and that the Missouri Pa
cif1c assessment was reduced that
year one million dollars, saving that
company $4,000 in taxes. Mr.. Stubs
denies this charge. If he is interested
1 am in a position to find the proof.
Carr Taylor says that only $4,000
of this money was used in the Reno
county campaign. This is probably
true. A $4,000 leak under the cir
cumstances ought not to surprise any,
body.
1--WE also charge that notwithstand-
ing Mr.. Stubs promise, not to accept
railroad money that he did receive
$4,000 from the railroads. Mr.. Stubs
admits this charge. but says the rail-
road came and begged him to take
the money. Mr. Hurd of the Santa Fe
says that Stubs came to him at the
Baltimore hotel in Kansas City and
asked for the money I imagine the
people of Kansas will believe Mr..
Hurd. 4-4
There is a story connected with
this $4,000 contribution that would
throw great light on Mr.. Stubs con-
nection with the railroads If he would
be SO kind as to explain. 1t will be
remembered that Governor Hoch
made the opening speech of his 1904
campaign at Marion. The speech
was carefully prepared and written.
and there is a story that before the
speech was delivered Hoch furnished
a copy to Mr.. Stubs for his approval
and that Mr.. Stubs carried his copy
to more than one railroad attorney in
Topeka for the purpose of securing
their approval of the railroad section
of the speech. 1t is also reported
that Mr.. Stubs submitted the law
enforcement section of the speech to
a certain distinguished state senator
who was supposed to represent the
liquor interests. All this was done.
according to the story, without the
knowledge of Governor Hoch, the
governor supposing when his speech
was returned. that it had been blue
penciled by Mr.. Stubs. And now, in
view of this story, I should like to
have Mr.. Stubs answer a question or
two. 1 should like to have him tell
the people of Kansas:
81 AS chairman of the Republican
committee in 1904. did not Governor
Hoch submit to you. in manuscript, his
Marion speech before its delivery?
"2. When delivered. did it not con-