Jasper County Democrat, Volume 7, Number 31, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 November 1904 — HURRAH FOR KERN! [ARTICLE]

HURRAH FOR KERN!

Homo two years ago a convict addressed a letter to John W. Kern, the Democratic candidate for governor, asking his aid in securing a pardon. Mr. Kern had defended the man and believed he had suffered enough, bat advised him to interest some wardworker or small politician in his case, as such a man would have more Influence with the governor than Kern himself. The letter was sent to the governor by one of his henchmen, and It Is more than likely that the convict never saw it. After holding the letter nearly two years and waiting till the eve of the election. Governor Durbin gave it out for publication, accompanying the act with the declaration that a man who would write such a letter to a convict is not lit to be governor. Thereupon Mr. Kern came back at the amall-fry governor, admitted that he wrote the letter to Convict Fleming, and that he stands by every utteranoe it contained. Then he added: "I do not believe that John Fleming ever saw that letter. If he did he would be quite likely to deliver it up promptly on the request of the prison officials, who acquired a reputation for abusing insane convicts. When Governor Durbin insinuates that Fleming gave up that letter voluntarily and without request, if he ever saw it, he utters a deliberate falsehood.” Mr. Kern can And ample proof that Governor Durbin is not over-particular about the truth when he wants to make a point. Every newspaper man who has had anything to do with him knows full well with what ease the governor can make a statement and then, when it appears in print, utter a circumstantial denial of having used the language. One Indianapolis paper had occasion to call him a liar once, and the executive did not oome to bat It Is like him to carry sueh a letter around for two years and then give it out on the eve of an election when the man who wrote it ie a candidate.