Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 February 1920 — AN OPEN LETTER TO THE KENTLAND DEMOCRAT [ARTICLE]

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE KENTLAND DEMOCRAT

February 19th, 1920 Kentland Democrat, Kentland, Indiana. Gentlemen:— It has recently come to my knowledge that you have put yourself to some trouble to mention my name in a certain publication, in connection with the Messman-McCray case. Being unaccustomed to favors of the great I scarcely know how to receive this honor, and in what terms to answer. . ; The complaint that was filed in this case of Messman vs. McCray, contained many of - the statements of the answer heretofore prepared and filed by Senator Sellers, of Monticello, Indiana, wherein he answered the complaint of Mr. MlcCray, wherein McCray sought to foreclose a mortgage against Messman. MeCray did not go to trial upon that answer. Let me say in fairness to McCray that since I filed this complaint that he informs me, and I have every reason to believe his statement true, that he knew nothing of the filing of this answer. Sometime ago the writer asked of Mr. McCray, the privilege of examining his books, to this Mr. McCray consented, but Mr. McCray and myself could not agree upon any one to make the examination. I suggested the name of James Chapman, of Rensselaer. Mr. McCray would not agree to Mr. Chap-

man at the time, but afterwards in his examination taken in the case of Messman vs. McCray, stated that he was willing that Chapman or any one else make an examination of his books. Upon' that statement Mr. J. H. O’Neal was employed. I employed Mr. O’Neal because I knew him to be square and competent. I did not know, and did not care to know his politics, but knew he would be absolutely fair to both sides. When Mr. O’Neal arrived at Kentland to examine these books, I was informed by long distance telephone, that he was not permitted to examine these books. I immediately called up Judge Darroch, Mr. McCray’s attorney, (and by the way a good Democrat) and expressed surprise that Mr. O’Neal was not permitted to examine these books. I stated to Darroch that I knew of no more honest and competent man than O’Neal. < Mr. Darroch acted with his usual courtesy and fairness and got in touch with Mr. O’Neal and permitted him to examine the books. Now here is the NUB to the whole proposition: Mr. Messman claimed all along that Mr. McCray’s books would show that McCray was in the wrong. _ Mr. McCray, on the other hand, had just as strongly contended-that his books were accurate and square and WOULD EXONERATE HIM. I said to Judge Darroch, and Mr. Leopold, who was also an attorney for Mr. McCray, and also to Judge Hanley, that the examination of these books would/decide this lawsuit, and that I was willing to make a frank statement of the case to the newspapers after the examination had been made,- if it exonerated McCray. This statement will appear later. The imputation that the newspaper report waspublishedbefore the case was filed is an error. The record speaks for itself. Well, as to the charge that I was not sick. Did you ever have the “flu”? You can tell the public that I was not sick, but you can’t tell that to my wife. Well, as to the implication that I made a demand on Mr. McCray for money is another mistake. I demanded a recision of the deed and offered to pay McCray money. That demand is in writing and the exact terms can be ascertained. Let me say right now, that the examination of, the books of McCray, and report of Mr. J. H. O’Neal, who I considered one of the most competent, honest and fair-minded men, and known to the residents of Jasper and Newton counties, DOES, COMPLETELY EXONERATE MR. McCRAY AND I AM FOR HIM FOR GOVERNOR. He will be nominated and elected hands down.

I was against Mr. McCray when I believed him wrong, but now I am for him since I know he is right I am for Mr. McCray because I believe him free from entangling alliances; because he is a farmer, a stockman, a grain merchant, a ■banker, a business man, a friend of labor, blended together to form that sturdy type necessary to guide us in /the perilous times of reconstruction. __ Does the Democrat from Newton county believe that by drawing me into this controversy, that I shall say something to injure McCray, or the G. O. P, or that would be the cause of the president putting over his league Of notions without reservations? Far be it from me. Nay! -Nay! My Democratic friend, let me say that this is not your funeral. Your party has had MANY but none in comparison to the ONE GRAND FUNERAL that awaits you newt fall. ' ” In the immortal words of Art Tuteur, the democratic funeral to come, is no more to be compared to the ONES you have had, than, the ponderous head of a Roman gladiator, is to be compared to the puny pate of a Peruvian Prince, Let me see, what was it my democratic friend from Newton wanted, and did not get? Thanking you for former cour-

tesys, I beg to remain. ~