Omaha daily bee., 1895-08-14

Two WecRs ago Olbana WIS SaVcu
from turbulence and riot by the inter
vcniion of Injunction proceedings and
the timely warning OF Mayor Bemis.
The assumption that there was not the
rcmotest danger of disturbance rs the
consequence Of contcn1ing police com
missions is liable to he dispelled
within the next forty-cight hours. No
sane man, who realizes the existing
tension between the scctarian factions.
can believe for moment that two sets
of policemen. holding office under rival
commissions. can patrol the city of
Omaha for single day without col
lsion at arms. This is precisely what
would have happened two weeks ago
If Judge Hopewell had not ordered Il
temporary truce.
Despite all the scofiing and iecring at
Mayor Bcmis for issuing the proclama-
tion warning citizens against turbulent
gatherings, it is matter of common
notoriety that the radical faction of the
4. L. A., which has gathered into its
oath-bound councils scores of the most
reckless rouStabouts and political riff
raft, together with many of the dis
charged policemen and dangerous agita-
tors, had for several weeks prior held
nightly meetings in preparation for an
outbreak. Threats of violence were
freely made. and it is well known that
many of these men have been carrying
concealed firearms and other weapons
1t was to prevent an apprChcndcd col
liSion between these men and others
Of opposite political and scctarian views
that the proclamation of the mayor was
issued. And now the crisis is at hand
unless the new police board desists
from its announced program to enlist
and swear in Il second police and fire
force out of the police officers and pa
trolmcn discharged for inefliciency, dis
orderly conduct and INSTRUMENTATION by
the old board. and such of the old force
who us members of the oath-bound
order are obeying the behests of its r-
responsible leaders. That this police
force cannot patrol the streets of Omaha
and do police duty side by side with
the regular force of police under Chief
manifest. That such ii conflict will lead
10 riot and disturbance is also Il fore
gone conclusion. Who will be RESPONSE
BILE for the terrible consequences? Surely
not Mayor Bemis or the present com
miSsiOncrs. Under the decision of Judge
Hopewell they have Il right to exercise
their functions and supervise the police
Il H.n ,ln mt, 10, t1g
have otherwise ordered. Under the
same decision the Churchil!-Russell
board are practically barred from doing
anything which may lead to breach
of the peace. They must first establish
their title to the offices by the pre-
scribed proceeding in the courts. They
have right to demand peaccable pos
session of the office. but organizing a
rival police force is not trying to get
pcaccable possession.
Inasmuch as the present board
cannot surrender their office without
waiving and losing their rights and privi-
leSes 10 continue in those offices, they
certainly do know that they cannot get
peaceable possession. Their attempt to
recruit second police force is mani
festly an attempt to settle the issue by
force and not in the courts.
On behalf of law and order. we warn
them to desist. They have their remedy
in the courts, and the courts alone are
authorized to determine the legal status
of the controversy. If they honestly
desire to settle the question peaceably.
let them institute quo warranto pro-
ceedings and no obstacle to speedy
settlement will be raised by the present
board. If they persist in forcing upon
our city police war and sectarian riot,
they will find Mayor Bemis ready to do
his duty to restore and preserve order.
In such an emergency the charter con
stitutes the mayor chief executive, and
in control of the police, without the
Intervention of any police commission.
and policemen who are being enrolled
by the new commission will either be
compelled to obey the orders of the
mayor or take the consequences.