Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-03-30
PLEADING IGNORANCE.
stupendous Nonsense Of the Populist
City Gang.

nents Of the Republican city ticket to
excuse the present mayor and his
administration for the disgraceful and
corrupt bargains which have been
made between the police forces Of the
city and the law breakers are very
ridiculous. The Monitor which has 30
lately become q convert to the old
regime, has this 10 say for its new
chief: "Mr. Matteson Is a man OF posi-
tive convictions and, II elected, will
discharge the duties Of the Office with
that'same unainching integrity. that has
characterized his work in the past.
lie is strict prohibitionist himself and
believes that he does his duty on this
qsestion. lie says IL Is The duty Of The
county attorney 10 look after The saloons"
Nobody ever accused Mr.. Matteson
with being an encyclopedia Of knowl-
edge and it is.barely possible he does not
know what his duties are. But the
fact that he is ignorant of the law and
his duties under the law ought rather
TO furnish good reason for the cleo
tion Of some other man to such a
responsible position. The law Is very
plain to every one who can read. Ii
Mr.. Matteson and his new convert will
turn to section q Of article 2 Of chap
ter 10 Of the general statutes OF the
State OF Kansas, under the heading,
Powers and Duties Of Mayor he will
find the following law:
"THE MAYOR SHALL lie ACTIVE AND
yIGILANT IN ENoRFCGNG ALL LAWS
AND ORDINANCES OF THE CITY, AND
HE SHALL CAUSE ALL SUBORDINATE
OFFICERS TO BE DEALT WITH PROMPT
LY FOR ANY NEGLECT OR VIOLATION
or DUTY"
On October Sth, 1887, an ordinance
was duly published which is still in
force and effect in the city, prohibiting
the sale of "whisky, gin, brandy, wine,
alcohol, hard cider or any other intoxi-
eating liquor of any nature or kind,
within the corporate limits OF the city
Of Abilene" For its violation this
ordinance provides fine Of "not less
than fifty and not more than one hun
dred dollars or imprisonment not
exceeding sixty days, or both fine and
imprisonment" And it further pro-
yides that upon the trial and conviction
of any person under the ordinance "the
police judge of the city shall make a
finding that the place where liquors
are thus unlawfully sold Is common
nuisance, and he shall forthwith order
the marshal or any policeman to shut
up and abate such nuisance and to
destroy any and all liquors which may
be found in and about ouch premises,
together with all bottles, glasses, kegs
or other vessels containing the same"
This ordinance furnishes the city with
full powe. to close every place in the
city where Intoxicating liquors can be
found, and 1t empowers the city to
punish both by imprisonment and fine
the offenders, just the same and just rs
effectively as any State statute could
punish them. The statute says that
sit is the duty OF the mayor to actively
and vlgilantly enforce all laws and
ordinances of. the city and TO cause all
subordinate officers to be dealt with
promptly for any neglect on their
part" DO not Mr.. Matteson and his
new convert know Of this statute and
Of this city ordinanceY Is 1t possible
that this man has been mayor Of the
city three years and still does not know
that 1t is his duty under the statute to
"bs active and vigilant in enforcing all
ordinances Of the cityY' What has he
been devoting his time to during the
past years that he has not found out
this important factY Is 1t possible that
the people of Abilene are going to re-
elect man who in three years has moi
learned the frat and most important
duty of his positionY 1t would seem
the part Of wisdom now to select some
man who knows that 1t Ia his duty and
who has the time and will "be active
and vigiant in enforcing all ordinances
Of the CITY,"