Democratic Sentinel, Volume 8, Number 38, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 October 1884 — THE CONTROVERSY CLOSED. [ARTICLE]

THE CONTROVERSY CLOSED.

Calkins admits he Owes the debt to the School Fund. He tries to pay it but fails because a purchaser cannot be found for the Swamp. INDISPUTABLE evidence. [LaPorte Argus.] The editor of The Argus in all that has been said concerning the Calkins school fund loan has been moderate and fair in his statements to the public. We have spoken from the records and carefully avoided exaggeration, and have constantly kept well within the lines of the most explicit truth, but notwithstanding this temperate and honorable action, we have been accused from one end of the state to the other of lying and slandering the Republican candidate for Governor. All the time we have had within easy reach positive evidence in Major Calkins own writing that he owed the school fund debt. Owing to the private nature of the evidence we determined, however, not to use it, unless Major Calkins personally denounced our statements as false ana slanderous. This we are informed on the most unquestioned authority, he is now doing from the stump in all parts of the state, and it is for this .reason that we Sublish his own words to refute his enial that he owes the debt to the school fund. The reason the debt was not paid as requested in the letters, was because no purchaser could be found for the swamp at the price of S2OO. The following is a copy of the letters: Committee on Appropriations, House 1 of Representatives, > Washington, D. C., Feb. 20,1884.) Dear Will:— I appeal to you to fix up that school fund matter. No matter how you do it, please fix it. You know I feel like I .could not allow it to hang over me, as a handle will be made of it in the coming campaign, and if our positions were reversed I would act promptly for you. Don't ask me how, but fix it and write me what I will have to pay. I leave the whole matter to you. Yours,

W. H. Calkins.

House of Representatives, ) Washington, D. C., May 20,1884.) Dear Will:— Won't you please fix up that school land matter? I want it closed up before the convention. Please do this for me, and write what I have to pay, and I will send you a check for it. Don't delay. Yourfriend, W. H. Calkins. It will be seen that Major Calkins fully recognized six months ago that he alone owed the debt, and that he wanted it settled before the Republican convention met, and before the campaign opened. No further comment seems necessary, but we ask the reader to judge for himself who has lied, and who has made slanderous statements. These letters will not be disputed for the originals can be produced at any minute.