The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1915-04-29
WAR DECLARED ON
SENATOR JOHNSON
BY CHAIRMAN ROCK
Yankton Man Is De-
Clared to be Perfid-
ious Coward.
ALL OVER soULE
Head of State Committee
Says johnson Violated
His Written Pledge.
ALL OVER SOULE

party OF South Dakota is rem in
twain by disputes over presidential
patronage, and Dr.. III. j.. Rock OF
Aberdeen, chairman OF the Democrat
ic state centra. committee, has de
clared open war upon United States
Senator Edwin S. Johnson, in u vi
lriolic statement beautifully s~prinllled
with %invectiNe, in which the senator
is accused of giving his fellow
Democrats the double cross
The quarrel is over the failure of
President Wilson to appoint w. w.
Soule as receiver OF the land office
at Rapid City, the appointment of an
other man being due. according TO
DIR. Rock to the periidy OF Senator
Johnson.
DIR. Rock yesterday sent the fol
lowing statement to the various Dem
ocratic county organizations of the
state, and made the statement public,
addressed to the Democrats of the
state of South Dakota:
Promise Given on Patronage.
THE following letter is self ex-
p%lanatory, and | am convinced is suf-
ticiently lucid. ] feel that it is due
Tx pei man III Jtot'NC w NV Pooi
1ion | took in our last state conven-
ton.
You were promised in the state
convention that all matters pertain
ing to politics, either county or state
would be decided, in state affairs, by
the majority of the county organiZa-
tiOns, and in county affairs, solely
with the wishes of the county organ
izations. h above was my under
standing upon promise before | be
came a candidate for the state chair.
manship.
1T has been my effort ever since
TO follow out that understanding;
however. such has not been possible
particularly in the case of w. w,
Soule of Rapid City, whose turn
down as a betrayal TO the above re.
TERED to understanding and an in
suit to all the leading and active
Democrats of the state. to all the
county organizations west of the
river (referring to h Missouri
river which divides the state in halfl
besides the many friends of w. w.
Soule. in and ont of the party. who
had that splendid and unanimous en-
dorsemont OF the above mentioned
endorseri.
u lllS II, a W ne NV INC -
rant betrayal OF The absolute conf
dence bestowed. ! WISH to announce
that | was rot and never was :
party to that infamous dealing which
resulted in the in~eNcusable defeat OF
the Hon. w. w. Soule. who had all
the endorsements above mentioned,
besides the endorsement of Senator
johnson. together with a personal let
ter to Mr.. Soule, p%ledging him his
absolute support and endorsement
and that he would stay by Mr.. Soule
TO the end.
Calls 1t Pcrfdy.
Gentlemen, what does a promise
from a United States senator mean?
What would YOU understand by sucl
n promise and letter.? IT you con
sidered it at all, which ! doubt you
would, you would consider it abso-
lutely reliable. as did Mr.. Soule. But
upon reaching the first trench. the
senator hoisted the white flag, as al
towards do who fear to fight in q
cause eminently Just.
II deny and disclaim my and all
responsibility connected with Mr.
Soule's defeat. desire to place the
perfdy where the perfidy justly lies
mir. Soule was not a self-seekins
CdlluludlC. WI. ooulC was ~ a
nous choice of all the Democrats o
the state. Mr.. Soule refused to be
a candidate for received Of publi'
moneys in the United States Lane
Office at Rapid City, and continued t.
refuse until such a time that hi
agreeing to run became compliment
airy in the defense of the Democrat,
. of the state, and then he accepte,
and became a candidate. knowing
that lie had 90 per cent of the Demo
Gratis and his district behind him.
True, Mr.. Soule does not enjo
the honor so richly deserved. How
ever. his noble sentiments and fir
convictions. coupled with the Drawer
OF a Stalwart Democrat. made it pos
sible by his laudable act hat
Democrat enjoys the honor.
"Mr. Soule went into that fgh
with the absolute and unanimou
support of all tthe county organize
tions west of the river: with the er
dorsement of all the federal official
in the state; with the state organize
lions endorsement; with the endorse
ment of Senator Johnson. and also
personal letter from h senate
~pledging his loyal support. The sci
ator and at various times promise
Mr.. Soule's friends that there was Il
question as to his appointments
CUES there was not in his mint
The Senator. in letters and over til
long distance telephone. had promil
cd Mr.. Soule's friends and memhe'
of the state committee that Sou
would be put over without doubt
ard he nut him oyer Without tt
doubt. lie further stated TO ne ovt
.kn tel, nhore that he would keep :"
informed as to the in ~
Soule matter. and assured me- that
was with Mr.. Soule and would remai
with him.
Ran AWAY to Washington
None of the above endorsement
did he REED nizeX and none Of VIII,