The record-union., 1895-08-01
OMAHA POLICE LAWS.
THE NEW REGIME TO GO INTO
EFFECT TODAY.
Attorney-General Replies in q Caustic
Letter to Petition of Proml-
nent Citizens There.

OMAHA, July 3l.-In relation to the
new police law which goes into effect to-
morrow, many prominent taxpayers
of Omaha addressed a prayer to the At
torney-General and other members of the
board having the power of appointing
the new commission, begging the Attor-
ney-General to accept the Governor s
suggestion and ask the Supreme Court to
test the law a. once and avoid serious
trouble.
The petition further says: 1--WE in
woke your cooperation to avert the dan
ger of serious disturbances and posi- bic
loss of life and destruction of property in
this city by the impending conflict be-
tween appointees OH the Police and Fire
Departments of rival Fire and Police
Commissioners. Such q conflict should,
if possible, be prevented, not merely on
account of its terrible consequences, but
for the sake of the good name of this city
and State.
"Inasmuch as the existing Board of
FIRE and Police Commissioners is deter
mined 10 continue in the discharge OF its
functions until the validity of tie new
Police Commissioners Act is tested and
affirmed by the Supreme Court, we trust
that you will refrain from taking any
action that would precipitate collision
between the contending police forces,
and respectfully urge that you take such
steps AS will promptly bring the subject
to the attention OF. the highest judicial
tribunal of our State and secure at its
hands a final adjudication upon the issues
involved"
But the AttorneyGeneral refuses the
prayer. In letter to the Governor he
says: "Where are such threats TO end?
Ii one set of men have right to say wv Q
will obey no law enacted by the l.egls-
lature until the court has passed upon its
validity then all men have that right.
No one knows better than you that that
is not law. 1t is your duty, as we'll as
that of the most humble citizen, to obey
the law until the court has declared 1t in
valid. Any other course leads TO anarchy.
The laws under which the presenG Board
OF Fire and Police are acting expires on
the lst Of August by Act of the Legis-
lature. Who is to say it does not? The
man who is not pleased with it? No. The
man who does not agree with the Legis-
lature politically? No.
Governor, this whole matter is in
your hands. Ii men are killed, their
blood will be upon your head. All you
have to say to those who would DEFY the
law is that while you are Governor of
the State OF Nebraska you propose to en-
force the laws as you find them upon the
statute books, until they have been re-
pealed by the Legislature or annulled by
the court. Tell them they have nothing
to fear by the obeyance of the law. Twill
take no steps with you in defiance OF the
law, but 1 assure you [ will join you
he4rtily in bringing about an early de-
cision as TO the validity of this law as
soon as possible after it goes into effect.
I'm closing, let me beg you in the name
of the law-abiding friends OF the State of
which we are so proud, to tske no step
that will discredit you or discredit the
State or injure our reputation for the
peace and good order of the metropolis of
Nebraska. Let the man who would en-
courage anarchy know at once that there
is no place IN Nebraska for him. Let
them know that you are not here to defy
the law.n q