The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-07-25
DAVE LEAHY'S SCARE.
Ridiculous Story That Primary Elec-
ton Is to Be Stolen.

David Leahy, private secretary 10
the governor. had a bad dream Satur-
day night, and while still suffering
from the effects of his nightmare.
rushed into print with a hallucination
about the theft of the primary election
by corrupt judges in the employ of the
machine at Topeka, Kansas City, and
Wichita. Dave wrote letter TO
County Attorney John Schenck IN
which he set forth the principal facts
of his vision and called for help. Ac-
cording to Dave, two judges out OF
every three are to sleep through the
counting of the ballots (they may be
drugged, Dave did not say and the
third Judge is then to call the ballots
as his fancy dictates. 1t is possible
that Dave has reliable information re-
garding this wholesale fraud, but not
probable.
Dave. while the fit was on him. wrote
to the county attorney as follows;
"John Schency, County Attorney, To-
peka, Kan:
my Dear Mr. Schenck:-Some days
ago I received a letter from Kansas
City. Kan, which aroused my sus-
pIcions as to the existence of a plan to
nullify the will of the people at the
coming primary election by misreaoing
Of ballots and substituting the names
OF opponents for those actually voted
for. Later developments confirm these
suspicious and show the conspiracy to
be more widespread than it appeared
originally.
To-day a well known citizen of To-
peka, in the presence or nomntereS--
ed witness, revealed to me 81 converse
tion he had with q man seeking to get
on the election board Of this city for a
purpose. I send attached the names OF
all the parties.
TO make an affidavit to it, or to give
you personally the full facts-that the
man told him that his purpose in seek
ing to become judge or the electloIl
was to assist in carrying the elecllon a
certain way in Shawnee county by mis-
reading the ballots while other judges
were too drowsy or too careless to de.
feet him. have asked number OF
political workers whether 1T was posi-
BILE to do this and they all have told me
that 1t was not only possible but that
rIose elections have frequently been
stolen in that way.
ST have made further inquiries along
4his line and I find that the statements
made TO me have been confirmed 10
4bis extent that the man in question
has been certified to Captain Titus by
q local politician who is committee
man and that the law makes 1t man
datory upon the election COMMISSIONS
~ appoint him. And l understand
further that he will be appointed I'M
less you can prevent it.
ssYour reputation as a friend OF law
and right things gives me confidence
that if you cannot prevent tulS iI4oAA
from serving as a judge of election you
ran at least institute a searching inves-
+iration of the case and in that way
warn and arouse other judges and the
neopIe at large to the great necessity
Tor watchfulness during the counting
If the ballots on the night of the pri-
mary election. The man refer to and
whose name 1 attach hereto for your
own necessary information is alleged
20 have said in confidence that doz-
on votes can easily be stolen OF
changed by misleading in each of the
fwenty-six precincts of Topeka and II
this Is so you can easily see how the
voice and will of the people can be
fhwarted In any event you can fee
assured that you will have the coop
Grafton of this office in any effort yoJ
NAV deem necessary 20 put forth il
order to stop the fraud.
s'It is now fairly certain that in the
rural localities where the ballot is bes
n safeguarded the farmers will be too
busy to go to the polls to vote. an6
/ hence the result will largely depend
upon the vote of the big towns anC
cities where, unfortunately, the mos
n irresponsible elements are the mos
I rertain to exercise their franchise.
s'It is evident that If this conspirac.
exists at all it exists with the purpos'
IN view of overturning the will of thu
people in the seven or eight big cite
of the state, but of course realize tina