The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-06-25
Says Col. Norton First Proposed
the '.Sale.o
THE OFFER WAS MADE
Says 1t Was Like the One Made
With WilkersOn.
Sheriff Insists the Proposition
Came From Belts People.

The official answer of the managers
of the ]. B. Belts campaign for the
Republican nomination for sheriff was
made today when Harry G.. Larimer
addressed an open letter to Col. J. D.
Norton, replying to the Norton letter
of yesterday
The point now at issue is which side
first formulated the idea of paying Col.
Norton's campaign expenses so that he
could withdraw from the race without
financial loss. Each side maintains
that the other did. Col. Norton said
go first in his open letter to the voters
published Friday by the State Journal.
Now Mr.. Larimer says that Col. Nor
ton made the first suggestion, his pro-
posal having followed discussion of
the interests of the law and order ele-
ment in which Larimer, Norton and
James A. Troutman participated on
the night of June II.
When J. B. Belts was asked today IL
he cared to say anything in reply to
{ 81 Norton's letter he answered:
Nothing more than that l have seen
Mr. Larimers letter and approve 1t.
There are a great many more things
that I can say anG will say when the
time comes, plenty of them. But had
rather give Mr.. Larimer's answer a
chance to soak in first"
man-American bank, who is acting AS
Mr. Belts campaign manager, said:
"I will not make any statement to-
day as the Larimer letter is suff1clent
for one days answer to Col. Norton.
We have plenty of dope though to use
in this campaign if we have to-"
Norton Is Satisfied.
When Col. Norton learned the con-
tents of Mr.. Larimers letter, he laugh
cd and replied:
II am glad to see that Mr.. Larimer
admits that what 1 said about the
negotiations to buy me off is true. me
meeting in Mr. Troutman'S office took
place on June 81. 1 was asked to come
there by Mr.. Troutman. 1 did not
know until Mr.. Larimer walked in that
he was expected
ayers were willing to buy me off came
from those gentlemen and 1 was Curl
Gus to see how far they would go
with it. - .-s-.-- -s-ssss@
you. understand that before I. went
into Mr.. Troutmanis office at his re-
quest I d id not know what he wanted
to see me for, consequently could not
have gone there prepared to make any
proposals. Otherwise Mr.. Larimer
admits substantially what said
Mr.. Larimer's Letter.
The text of the reply of H. G. sLari-
1ner to Colonel Nerton'ss open letter is
as follows: res 49,
Topeka. Kan, June Is, 1910.
Colonel J. D. Norton, Sheriff,
Dear Sir: You state that Mr..
Frank Stahl, Mr.. Harry Larimer and
others whom I Will name If necessary
tried to bride me, offering me a cash
refund of all my campaign expenses,
also the position ofTunder sheriff with
a good salary, or any other position
equally as good
LAS to your dealings with others, I
do not assume knowledge, but the
facts that occurred so far as [ am
concerned are as follows: On the
presence of Mr.. James A. Troutman
at his office in the Bank of Topeka
building. You and 1 went over the
situation, and agreed that if you and
Mr.. J. 3. Belts both remained in the
race, the chances of the nomination
of Mr.. Jerome Colvin would be greatly
increased. You stated emphati<lly
that you would regard such nomina-
ton as calamity to Shawnee county,
and a triumph for the Big Four,
whom we named as the leaders of the
worst element in Shawnee county. and
the candidate of whom Mr.. Colvin was
well known to be. I suggested to you
that I thought you ought to leave the
way clear for a definite struggle be-
tween the two elements in the persons
of Mr.. Belts, for law and order, and
Mr.. Colvin for lawlessness and mis-
rule.
After Il 1OHS QlSCuSSlOn III WHICH
you and I both seemed to be anxious to
act for the best interests of the party,
as well as Of yourself, you appealed
to Mr. Troutman for his advice. He
replied: The question you must settle
for yourself, no one can do it for you,
but 1 regard the situation as full of
Teril' We had speculated at some
length as to whether Mr.. Belts man
ayers would be willing to pay all your
expenses thus far incurred and name
you for undersheriff, # you would re-
erain from filing your nomination pa
rers tho next day.
Upon parting with Mr.. Troutman you
and L walked out West Eighth street
together, still discussing the situation,
and finally you stated to me: I auth
orize you to go to Mr.. Belts mana
gers, and if they give you an opening,
make them the proposition to pay all
my expenses to tonight, or hun
cred dollars and offer me the second
place in the shcriff's Office. which place
do not think I want, but 1 would
like the chance to refuse at a salary
OF $3.50 per month, ard / will not file
NY papers, provided you have Mr.. |
Belts promise in writing which I be-
lieve h will keep, to enforce the law. |
If they don't give you the opening. |
dent make the proposition
II saw Mr.. Belts, was by him re-
ferred to Mr.. Metzger, made the pro- |
position and after some demurring he |