The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-01-01

the War Made Mr. Hopkins and
the Reason or Il
Street Commissioner Albert Hopkins
will lose his official head at the meet
ing Of the city council tonight II the
resolution which one Of the members
says he IS going to introduce passes.
This resolution viii be IN substance,
Resolved that Albert Hopkins be norI-
fed that his services as street cOmmis-
sioner are hereby dispensed with The
member who says he has canvassed the
subject thoroughly says his resolution
viii pass by the following vote. Aye
Iroutman, Stevens. Ettlinger, Fellows
and Burgess. No-Hoiman, Earnest,
Fulton and Griggs. The member says
such a resolution.
There is no doubt but that Mr. Hop
klns intended to resign Saturday. lie
himself admits it. He was aware Of the
hostility of several councilmen, and he
began hunting for another job. He
made arrangements for the position Of
night depot-master at the Santa Fe depot
at $40 a month, which he secured with
the assistance Of Mayor Harrison.
Later in the day however he had a con-
sultation with Albert Earnest, and others
of his friends in the council, who advised
him to stay They said that he was con
hrmed for term OF two years, and that
the only way he could lose his job was
by impeachment on a definite charge,
such as IncOmpetency, and there WAS no
danger of that. Then AIr. Hopkins, who
had previously given Mayor Harrison to
understand that he would resign, notified
him Of his change of purpose
The member of the city council who
told JOURNAL man that he would intro
duce the resolution to dispense with the
services Of Hopkins, said that if the reso-
luton didn't remove him he would bring
other forces to bear that would I'VE
only need six councilmen and the mayor
to get Hopkins OUT he said. Il know
the mayor would prefer somebody else
in the place, and I only know Of four
councilmen who would stand by Hop
kins in the council They are Holman,
Earnest. Fulton and Griggs.D
Councilman John Iroutman whose
term in the council from the First ward
expires next spring, aspires to Hopkins
place, and he has more than one mem
Der agreeing TO support him. Dave Nav
Tor and Foreman Eastman would also
like the place
The charges against Hopkins are not
definitely stated but the objection seems
to be largely on the ground that Earnest
has too much influence with him" as one
OF the members put IT, 1t is said that
when Earnest makes any request from
the street force 1t IS always complied
with. and that when the other council
men make similar request sometimes it
is granted and sometimes it is not The
same member expressed the opinion
that there were not few Republicans
more deserving Of the place than the
present incumbent. whom they charge
has lived in Topeka comparatively
short time, pays no taxes and never did
the party any special services.
MT. Hopkins says he has aimed to do
the best work possible with a few men,
and that if he loses his job it viii be for
political reasons and not through any
negligence or incompetency. The re-
cords of this department show that the
work has been well done and that the
expenses of the department have been
reduced IN he past six months from S.,
500 monthly to less than $4,000. and last
month they were only 800. BIT. Hop
kins said to a JOURNAL reporter today
that after consulting with his bOndsmen
and friends in the council, he had de
cided 70 hold his job and fight any
charges that may be brought against
him rather than leave the office under a
cloud.