The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-09-12

Attorney Davis, Based on Complaint
Made by George Huckins-They will be
Tried for q Misdemeanor Under the
Laws 1ss6-They were Very Much As
tonished when Constable Joe Macy
Placed Them Under Arrest.
Police Commissioners Smythe, Lieu
rance and Keck were placed under ar
rest last night and are now construc-
lively in Jail.
When Constable Joe Macy placed
his good right arm on their shoulders
and informed them that they were his
prisoners their eyes enlarged to the
size oe saucers. They were the most
astonished men Joe Macy has ever
seen in his life
The following is the complaint upon
whites sAe Warrant was issued for their
e>res..
State of Kansas, Sedgwick county.
Before w. F. Walker, Justice of the
peace Of the city Of Wichita, in said
county and state.
Etate of Kansas
VS.
smythe. Keck and Lieurance, police
commissioners.
COMPLAINT.
State Of Kansas, Sedgwick county, SIS:
George w. Huckins being duly sworn.
on his oath says, that on the 10Th day OF
August, 1895. in the county of Sedg-
wick and state of Kansas said police
commissioners did then and there un-
lawfully and knowingly discharge and
remove from the police force of the city
of Wichita, Sedgwick county, Kansas.
affiant, who is an honorably discharged
soldier~of the United States and is and
was competent 10 perform the duties
of policeman and who is equally quail
fled 20 fl the said position of police
man rs other policemen who are now
upon said force and who are not hon.
Drably discharged soldiers of the Unit
ed States, contrary to the form of the
statute in such cases made and provid-
ed, and against the peace and dignity of
the state of Kansas.
GEO. w. HCCKINS.
Subscribed and sworn to before me.
this 10th day Of September, A D.. 1885,
w. F. WALKER,
Justice of the Peace
When gallant Joe Macy brought his
three prisoners into court Judge Walker
recogniZance. Mr.. Lieurance had moth
Ing but his jersey cow and he was never
known to leave anything of value Judge
Walker concluded that he would not
run away. The trial OF their case has
been set for next Wednesday.
The warrant for their arrest was Sc
cured by County Attorney John Davis
on the complaint of George w Huck-
ins. 1t is under chapter 160 of the ses-
ion laws Of 1886
Mr.. Huckins was appointed police
man under the old board of police COM
missioners. Their policy was to place
as many old soldiers on the force as
possible.
When the new police commissioners
were appointed by Governor Morrill,
the first thing done was to chop off the
heads of two old soldiers-DoWning
and Huckins
Neither of the two veterans were
given cause for their removal, ex-
cept that the commissioners desired to
reduce the force. Now, then, chapter
100 OF the session laws OF Kansas was a
law passed by an overwhelming ma
jority in the interest of the old soldiers.
In brief it is that in all public offices
old soldiers be given the preference in
employment and making it INSIDE
meanor for anyone To discriminate
against them in favor of men not old
soldiers, with everything else equal
This is exactly what the commission
ers have done. There We're many men
on the force who We're not old soldiers
but who were retained while the old
soldiers We're fired.
1t is understood that there are about
zoe old soldiers in this city and that they
are practically unanimous in support
Ia Tiax-
whether the law was passed in good
faith in their interest and if il was why
Mr. Morrill, and his commissioners do
not stand by ii.
Under the commission appointed by
Mr. Morrill, there seems to be a con-
spiracy against the old soldiers Out
OF the four men discharged by the com
missioners three were old soldiers and
this fact certainly looks like the com.
missloners of Mr.. Morrilrs choosing
have ii in for the old boys in blue.