The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-08-31


that the Effort is a Failure and thai
there are Now Three Times More Joint.
tEai Before Secretary Lieurence FAN,
All Over Him self In Another Newsnane,
Interview.
Officer Bedford Wood rendered his
resignation to the police commissioners
yesterday.
Officer Wood has gone through every
prohlbition storm and cyclone in Wich-
'ta Tor ten years, and this is the first
one ne could not conscientiously
weather
he has stood every administration
since 1884 as policeman in this city,
and while he differed politically with
all OF them none Of them every atttemp-
ted TO cut his Official head off
But then he is not in the harness
any longer. He is now plain citizen
and. under the peculiar existing cir
cumstances, is mighty glad of it, no
doubt
In his letter Of resignation he simp-
ly stated that he could not conscien-
tiously do the work required of him
by the police commissioners, and did
not propose 10 say he could, and would
do it. then shut his eyes and draw his
pay.
When he was called into the Office of
the police commissioners he was con-
fronted by Tiger Bill Campbell, David
Smyth, Secretary LieUrance and Mr.
keck. He was armed with twenty
five years experience as an officer. be-
ginning in the cowboy days at Cald-
well in 1870 and extending down to the
present tlour, the last ten years ex-
perience being in Wichita. The men
VINO stood before him never had a
days experience as an officer in their
lives. Tiger Bill was the leading spirit
and David Smyth was ms iIcuisitor
Mr.. Wood" said Mr.. Smyth. will
you pledge yourself with Chief Massey
and MIR. Sutton ID give your entire at
iention 10 securing evidence in the en-
forcement of the prohibition law?"
DO 1 understand by that that all
other criminal laws are 10 be neglect
ed?''
NO sir; but we want this law strict
ly enforced
Il pledge nothing" said Mr.. Wood.
Il am sworn officer and if fail to do
my duty, il is within the power of this
commission TO remove me-"
Don't you consider that the law can
be enforced?"
Il do not. gentlemen. I served I'M
der Mr.. Stanley and others who made
an honest effort to enforce the law and
II could not be done and l don't think
1t can be done now"
Don't you think the effort has been
successful so far?"
Il think nothing Of the kind ] know
that il has not been"
Don't YOU think that there is less
liquor sold now than heretOfore?''
Il do not. ] know absolutely that
there are three times more people en-
gagged in the business now than here
tofore. There is more liquor drank,
more sold and more drunkenness and
debauchery. There is no police con-
troll of the business and there Will not
be any as long as the present system
lasts"
Cant you consent to make an effort
with Chief Massey and Mr. Sutton to
aid us in this fight"
If l thought any good result could
be attained ] would cheerfully assent,
but I am sure, from past experience.
that every effort would be in vain and
no good could be accomplished. Mr..
Stanley and his hoard could not en-
force the law. and when men of that
class could not do it. no others can"
1t IS stated that Nj. Wood was a lit
lite more plain in his expressions than
be would have been had Judge Camp
hell not been in the room He knows
Bill Campbell for twenty years, and
ii looked to him too much like farce
To see him present, demanding of an
old time officer. the enforcement of the
prohibitory law. Mr. Wood was an Of
ficer in Caldwell when that famous
swindler. Donford, was about to be
hanged for robbing the people and he
We'll remembered the excitement
legal business and his subsequent
speedy departure.
Judge Campbell doubtless remember
ed that day very well and so do all the
Caldwell colony in Wichita. While he
talked plain. he talked respectfully.
Mr.. Wood was seen last evening by
a reporter fer the Eagle and asked
whether the report that he had resign |
ed was true. He is a man OF very few |
words, as everybody knows, and his !
statement was short one
The report that / have resigned"
he said. SIS true"
What was the actual cause of your !
resignation"
Well, now. don't care to go into !
details. man has perfect right to |
resign an office in this country that is |
not agreeable TO him
1T wasn't agreeable them"
NO. prefer to take care OF my usual |
line of work-protecting the merchants !
and business men from thieves and |
l have been engaged in that /
line of work for years, and / will leave /
It to them whether l have done my duty |
and earned at least my salary"
What are your plans for the fu- /
tuTe -
Il have none so far. l have been in |
this business now for the greater part |
Of twenty years. and l feel like taking |
a rest. If | should so back to work |
again in this city it should be in the |
Interest OF the merchants. business /
men and tax payers. l came from
Maine and have lived in Kansas ever
since the prohibitory law went into ef-
feet, and I think l know something
2 about the enforcement of such a law"
is the above a fair statement OF
facts about what transpired while you
we're before the commissioners? ~
Il do not desire 10 state what &C.
CURED there. l have no personal state
ment TO make. rendered my resigna-
ton to the commissioners today be-
cause l was not in sympathy with their !
plans. and l expect 10 be out Of lob |
tomorrow morning. l think You Will
give ne credit for not being fond Of I
talking too much and that is my feel
ing now"
LIECRANCE ON HIS EAR
when the reporter asked Mr.. Lieur- |
lnce in regard to the Bedford Wood
I1ory his very appearance was d sufii-