The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-07-31
Today the A. 7. 4. Police Law
Will TO Into Effect.
PROMINENT CITIZENS o6JECr,
The Attorney General Tells the Gov.
ernor 10 Enforce the Law.
Mayor strong Gives Notice That he
VIII Enforce the Excise Law Tiu
Repealei-He Il for Local Option
and Does Not Dislike Saloonkeepers.

Omaha. july. Sa-Tomorrow night tbs
so-calisd 4. =. a. police law goes INTO ef-
feet, ard the situation in Omaha is grow
ing more critical hourly. Two police
forces and trouble galore are imminent.
one hundred of the most prominent and
wealthiest taxpayers of Omaha tonight
addressed prayer TO the attorney gem
eral ard other members OF the board hav-
ing the appointing of the new Comnis-
sion. begging the attorney general 20 ac-
eept the governors suggestion and ask
the supreme court 10 test the law at once
aud avoid serious trouble. The petition
further says.
We invoke your cooperation TO avert
the danger OF serious disturbances and
probable loss OF life sud destruction 81
property in this city nv the impending
conflict between appointees ON The police
and ire department OF rival fire and pc
lice commissioners. Such a conflict.
should. II possible. be prevented. not
merely on account Of its terrible conSe-
quences. but for the sake OF the good
name OF this city and state. fnasmnch
as the existing board Of FIRE and police
commissioners Is determined 10 continue
in the discharge 'nf It's functions until tho
validity Of the new police commissioners
act Is tested and affirmed by the supreme
court. we trust that you VIII refrain
from taking any action that would pre-
police forces. and respectfully urge that
YOU take such steps as VIII promptly
hiring the subject TO the attention of ths
highest judicial tribunal Of otir state and
secure AZ SIS hands a ilnal adjudication
upon the issues Involved"
But the attorney general refuses the
prayer. In a letter to the governor he
says:
Where are such contests 10 endg it
one set Of men have a right 10 say We
will obey no law enacted ny the iegj~-
lature until the court has Passed upon its
validity then all mea have that right.
No one knows better than YOU that that
is not law. n IS your duty. as well as
the most humble citizens. 20 obey the
law until tho court has declared II invalid.
Any other course leads 20 anarchy. The
law under which the present board OF
fire and police are acting expires on the
first Of August by the act OF legislature.
who is 10 say II does not? The man
who is not pleased with Il? No. The man
who did not agree with the legislature
politically? No. Governor, this whole
matter is I'm your hands. II men ara
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 gov
ernor OF the state OF Nebraska you pro-
pose 10 enforce the laws as you find them
upon the statute books until they have
been repealed by the legislature or an
nulled by tho court. Tell them they have
nothing 10 fear by the obeyance OF the
laws. j will take no step with you In de-
fiance OF the law. but j assure you that
/ will Join you heartily In bringing about
an early decision as 70 tho validity OF this
law as soon as possible after IL goes into
effect. In closing let me beg you in the
name OF the law-abiding citizens OF the
state OF which we are so proud. 10 take
no step that viii discredit you or discredit
the state or iniure our reputation for the
peace and good order OF the metropolis
OF Nebraska. Let the man who would
encourage anarchy know at once that
there is no place in Nebraska for him.
Let him know that you are not here TO
defy the law"