The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-08-01
CFrom the Topeka Daily Capital Mon
Z day, Aug 1st.l
STRIKES
BACK At NORTON
Makes Positive and Pointed
Reply to Norton and Hodg-
ms Shows Where Joint
Affidavit Avoids the Issue.
INVITES LIBEL SUIT
Calls Attention to Their Eva
sion of the Real Issue, and
Their Friendly Corpora
ton in Affidavits.
INVITES LIBEL SUIT
To the Editor of the Capital.

To the Editor of the Capital
My attention has been called to the
collaboration of Mr.. R. F. Hodgins and
Col. ]. D. Norton in a series of affi-
davits in support of Col. Norton's can
didacy for Sheriff.
In the first paragraph Mr.. Hodgins
charges me with accusing him of hav-
ing paid $1,000. and Col. Norton's cam
paign expenses, providing the latter re-
manned in the campaign for Sheriff.
never made any charge of this kind
nor offered to, until Mr.. Hodgins, who
ought to know, deliberately made the
statement himself, in presence of wit
nesses. If this charge is a willful, ma
licious, unmitigated falsehood, as Mr..
Hodgins states in his affidavit, he is
the man who Is responsible for it, and
the man who first uttered it. The fact
that it appears so plausible to the
voters of this country, is what is both
ering Mr.. Hodgins. Instead of Mr..
Hodgins making the statement in jest,
as suggested by Col. Findley. Mr.. Hold
gins made the statement in great anger
and under the stress of great excite
ment, and never was more in earnest
in his life than when he said it. No
body had invited Mr.. Hodgins into a
conversation, nor invited his conf
dence; he deliberately got up from his
seat in the back part of the car, and
came to the front part, and loudly
made this boast, this so-cailed willful
malicious and unmitigated falsehood.
This statement was in perfect accord
with Mr. Hodgins' habit in the midst
of campaign and afterwards of MAX
ing boasts of the wonderful things he
is doing.
1t will be observed that neither Mr..
Hodgins nor his friend, Colonel Findley,
deny that he made this statement Col.
Norton in his part of the affidavit, also
falls into the same error as to who made
this statement. Instead of abusing me
in the manner he does, he should abuse
his friend Mr. Hodgins, but it will be
observed that in now way does he find
fault with Mr.. 1Hodgins, nor Mr. Hold
gins with him.
Both affldavits are in perfectly har-
mony; sworn to before the same
notary, and undoubtedly written by the
same person Mr.. Hodgins is the gen.
tleman who Col. Norton should sue for
libel if he is going into the libel. bust
ness. for giving away in the heat of
passion. important secrets of the CAM
pagn.
Col Norton denounces me as the only
person who has tried to bride him in
the campaign, although the first
knew of his contemplated withdrawal
was when I was visited by an emissary
from Col. Norton, who stated that the
Colonel would withdraw from the race
| If his expenses were refunded to him,
anu SOO0 JOD guaranteed nlIn- Lie
| Colonel even assumed to dictate the
| salary he should receive, which was
, much more than he is worth
The Colonel is more sensitive about
bribery this year than four years age
when he received a money consideration
and a job, which he has held ever since
| So far as the ColonePs threats of libcl
suits are concerned, he is at liberty &C
start them at any time, will fearlessly
stand by every statement I have made
J. 3. BELTS.