The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-07-04
A REPLY AT ONCE.

Continued from Page One.)>
challenge was directed to you, as the
man responsible for systematic mis-
statements concerning the administra-
ton, but I have heard nothing from
you in reply thereto.
June a. I did receive a letter from
Mr.. J. c. Gafford, chairman Of the Re-
publican state committee, in which he
said: We accept your challenge but
in his succeeding sentence Mr.. 0a6ord
withdrew this acceptance Of my chAl-
lenge. and proposed instead an unof-
fetal auditing committee to determine
how much money has been spent by
the various departments OF the state
government. during the present admin
istration.
Naturally. gave no serious consid-
GRAFTON to this letter proposal for tho
reason that knew 1t was intended only
to furnish Mr.. Gafford q form Of reply
to my challenge which would be neither
an acceptance nor declination. and also
to afford him opportunity to repeat the
false statements to which: object
Challenges Capper.
Il challenged you to meet mo in joint
discussion. I made no conditions other
than that I desired to discuss misr
statements you have published concern
Ing the present administration. here
by renew that challenge. and I will be
glad to 30 broaden the discussion that Il
may include any department presided
over by an eppointee Of the present ex-
ecutive. However. IL you. or your ad-
visers. feel that you are not equipped
TO meet me in suoh a discussion until
you have made an audit Of the states
accounts. or had one made for you,
hereby offer you such assistance as you
may need In familiarizing yourself with
the state's business affairs. You may
Dc assured that every department under
executive control will Cooperate to pro.
vide complete information as to its re-
ceipts and disbursements. I make this
oner, not only that you may be thereby
induced to engage in the Joint discus.
slons have suggested, but also In the
nope that when you have learned what
any honest examination Of the records
must disclose. some measure OF the
truth concerning tho present admins
tration may filter it, way into your
No Auditing Committee.
II am ready for these discussions
now. and shall not need the help of
an auditing committee to verify any
statements have made or shall make.
You will be at liberty to develop the
truth concerning the administration in
any way you see fit. There will be no
disposition On my part to bubble con-
corning the amount Of appropriations or
expenditures. I will accept the state
ments Of the state and auditor and
state treasurer. who are your friends
ana supporters. az to what their rec
ords show, when properly certified I'M
der oath. ftar
Il trust that I may have your accept
ance OF this challenge within a few
days. with suggestions as to time and
place for the first discussion. L am In
formed that we are both invited to
speak at Burlington July Is. As yet.
have not accepted tho Invitation be-
cause Of possible engagement At an
other place. However, II the Burling-
ton date will be suitable to you FOR the
first OF these meetings. and may have
your acceptance within a few days,
will be glad to make arrangements to
meet you at that time.''