The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-07-11
Declines Again to Quarrel with
Judge Sapp.
DOESN'T TOUCH HIM.
Charges of Graft Antedate His
Administration.
Considers House Evidence of No
Value.

The controversy between the gov
ernor and the attorney general over tins
enforcement of the prohibition law
continues in full force and effect The
governor sent four letters to the attor-
ney general in which he called atten-
ton to the fact tha- the latter would
be derelict in duty to the state if he
did not at once make a searching in
Vestigation of certain charges. Hav-
son ma, es reply by giving the details
of his correspondence with Judge Sapp.
He declares that the graft charges
antedate his administration. In re-
gard to the House matter the attorney
general states that, in his opinion, thu
newspaper man has no evidence worth
While. Mr.. Dawson explains his posi-
ton clearly. In his letters the gov
ernor again goes into the matter of ths
charges made b. witnesses against
cherokee officials and by Jay House,
the Topeka newspaper man. against
law enforcement in general.
The governor urged Dawson to start
the custer suit against the Cherokee
sheriff and also to subpoena Jay House
and Judge Sapp. The governor did not
appear to be satisfied with the attorney
generals explanation of the House af-
fair, which was to the effect that
House told me all he cared to about
the natter
The governors letters follow:
Letter No. 1.
"On the 18th day Of June at my resi-
dence in the presence of Senator Brew
ster, Judge Holt, Mr.. John Marshall,
Mr.. Trickett and Mr.. Fred Trigg, you
positivelv agreed to bring custer PRO-
ceedings against the sheriff of Chero-
kee county Immediately. stating that
you could file these papers within two
or three days. It was agreed, after
thoroughly discussing the situation,
that this action was absolutely neces-
sary to secure law enforcement ia
Cherokee county, and you stated that
the action of the sheriff fully warrant
ed his being ousted from office.
THE lawness conditions in that couu-
/ ty are of such a character that 1 do
not feel warranted in permitting this
matter to be delayed any longer. 1
therefore request that you Immediately
flle custer proceedings against the SAID
4 sheriff. You have in your possession
| the statements of at least three wit
nesses under oath as to specific acts CT
the said sheriff, and have had such
statements for three weeks"
Letter No. 2.
"A man claiming to be an assistant
| attorney general rom the north part OF
the state came down here at one time
and organized a gang to raid a Joint In
Weir City. Nearly a wagon load OF
beer, whisky and wines was conf =
Gated, but not one drop of the stun
ever reached Columbus. It was sold by
TINS assistant attorney general and his
helpers. l have in my possession the
name a--d address of every man who
bought a drop of that liquor and the
amount Of money he paid for it,
Letter No. 8.
After Judge Sapp had made
charges of graft and corruption
against your office and the local off
GERS of Cherokee county and these
charges had been printed on the front
page of the Kansas City Star, the Kan
sas City Journal and other papers
which have wide circulation
throughout the state of Kansas and
other states, he came to Topeka, and
after having had a conference with
you, I am advised that there was a
satisfactory understanding between the
attorney general and himself in re-
gard to these matters
IF you permit these statements to
go unchallenged, it is practically an
admission on your part that the state-
ments are true. In my judgment. yo.y
will be unfaithful to the people who
elected you to Office, and wholly dere-
| lict of your duty If you do not make
a most searching investigation into this
whole matter and prosecute every state
and county officer who has partfci-
pated in such criminal acts as are da-
scribed by Judge Sapp."
Letter No. 4.
THE statement by Mr. House was
in positive terms and was circulated
throughout the state, and in 1t Mr.,