The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-06-04

payment of expenses up until January
l, had been drawn. AS the running
expenses of the state at that time ap-
proximated $500, 900 a month 1t is APP
parent that there was a deficit OF about
$780, 900 which had to be paid out OF the
1908 tax levy"
1 asked you to show where this state
n1ent was wrong. You answered by
saying that there was $4,000 in the
state treasury when I was inaugurated.
This is too ridiculous an answer to
even be repeated. You know and every
other man knows that this $4,000
came out of the tax money levied to pay
the first years expenses of my admin
1Stration. You know from Mr.. Nations
signed statement that 100000 had also
been drawn from this same fund to pay
the last two months expenses Of Mr..
Hoch's administration.
Why Do You GarbIe Facts?
Why do you garble facts? Why do
you permit these brainy managers of
yours to furnish you with statements
that wholly misrepresent the situation?
Why do you appeal to the young
men of Kansas to join with you and
associate themselves with the old con-
solidated political machine whose past
history has, as you know. utterly con-
demned them in the public mind? If
you want to be governor of Kansas
why don't you stand for some SPLEEN
did progressive ideals and represent
ttIIQ lGdQ l4lC yOuIiS IIItu VI lIllS SldIO
in the direction Of a wholesome gov
eminent for all the people and not
government for railroads, Standard Oil,
Harvester trust and few big corpor-
atoms at the expense of all tho peo-
pie. These may be plain words. but
they are absolutely and indisputably
true.
In your keynote speech at Independ-
ence YOU stated that had advocated
the appointment Of the state treasurer
and state auditor in my great desire
to have more power. You are mis-
taken wholly in this statement and
ought to retract it in defense of your
own manhood.
Demands Retraction of Falsehoods.
You stated that I had denounced
President Taft, which is another fabri-
cation. If 1 have at any time de-
nounced the president you should be
able to state the time. the place and
what I said. Why have you not done
so? I demand that you retract this
statement or stand charged with wilfu1
misrepresentation of facts. My atti-
tude towards the president has always
been respectful, friendly and cooper
ative throughout my official relations
with him which have concerned the
enforcement of state and federal laws.
At my most urgent request the presi-
dent has consented to use all the power
of the federal government in the in
ternal revenue department to send
bootleggers and whisky peddlers who
do not have permanent places or bust
ness to prison which approaches a
revolution in the customs of the inter-
nal revenue department in dry and
prohibition territory. The action of
President Taft in this matter is suffi-
cient evidence to prove that you do
him and me an injustice by misrepre-
senting our relations
Surrounded by Machine Men.
Wagstaff you are surrounded and
supported by crowd of men who
have bitterly fought every piece of
progressive legislation that has come
before the legislature during the last
eight years. They are men who have
been worth millions upon millions of
dollars to the corporations of Kansas
alone by preventing proper superVis-
ion and control of railroads, tele-
graphs, telephones, express and other
companies who have exercised unre-
strained power to levy an eXtortion-
ate tax on the people of this state.
These men are well known. Hon. D.
w. Mulvane, Morton Albaugh, Sam
Fitzpatrick who constitute the brains,
the substance and the soul of your
campaign committee, together with
such satellites as Fred Dumont Smith,
who fought shoulder to shoulder with
Sam Fitzpatrick and others in the
senate lodge, and whose political his
tory has become so odious he has as
sumed the name of Memo when he
appears in public print; Paul Walker,
political attorney for the Rock Island
railroad, Henry Scandrett, political at
torney for the Union Pacific railroad;
Bill Smith, political attorney for the
Santa Fe, and large number of 9TH
er corporation attorneys and political
agents who were employed to lobby
in the legislature to prevent the peo-
pie from securing Justice.
Who Is Really Running for Governor?
Now, Mr.. Wagstaff, do you really
think if you should be elected governor
of Kansas, surrounded by these men
who are promoting your campaign and
with the claims they would necessarily
have upon your administration, that
you could accomplish any good for the
people of Kansas? Do you think you
would be free to follow your own in
stincts and carry forward the govern
ment in the interest of all the people
of this state? Do you believe you could
reduce taxes without you had legis-
lature that would reduce approprla-
lions, and If the legislature reduced the
appropriations in what institutions, or
department, would it begin?
They Fight Whom They Cannot Rule.
These are serious and important
questions for you to answer in your
own mind and heart and you should lie
frank and fair with the public. And. if
you did declare your independence and
act solely for the benefit of the state
| of Kansas, can assure you most posi-
| lively that the very men who are pro-
noting your campaign would be assali-
| ing you as they are now assailing me
W. R. sTUBBS.
| EStabIiSbed 1Q66