The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-07-31
Complete Sweep Of Fire and Police
Departments Of Men Not Liked
by the Americans.
THE TOWN ALL WORKED UP
PROMINENT CITIZENS APPEAL To
THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The Latter Says the Law Must he
Obeyed, and IL Blood Is shed IL VIII
BE the Governors Fault.

OMAHA, Neb.. July 30.-As, the first day
Of August approaches, the day upon which
the Churchill-Russel A. p. A. law goes
into effect, the interest in police matters
becomes intensified among all classes of
citizens. Ever since the appointment of
Chief Of Police White by the present Board
OF Fire and Police Commissioners and until
last Sunday the opinion generally pre-
vailed that an armed conflict was almost
unavoidable If two rival police and fire
commissioners were set up. The malcon-
tents and police plotters have been in al
most constant conference with the members
OF the radical element of the A. p. A., of
whom Judge Scott is the head, and at
torney Covell, partner Of Churchill, the
leading light Nearly all OF the twenty
two policemen, who were recently dis
missed by the present board. have been en-
rolled as a nucleus of the police force to be
organized by the new board and they
boast that all are armed.
AS a part or the well laid programme
il has been announced that Judge Scott had
not adjourned his section of the District
Court and would be on hand to issue any
judicial order required for the plans of the
new board. Yesterday the real inwardness
of this statement became manifest when
one Of the band told an officer of the
police force that ''h-l will be popping next
Thursday"
Asked to be more explicit he said that the
plan was to appoint the commissioners
under the terms of the Churchill-Russell
law at late hour Wednesday night and
have them ready to take possession Of the
affairs of the police early Thursday morn
ing. If they resisted they were to be ar
rested. These arrests were to be followed
by the arrest of Chief of Police White and
all Of the officers Of the force who were
not in sympathy with them and who were
not ready to do their bidding. Another
part of the alleged scheme was that Scott
was to be on hand and issue all writs that
might be necessary TO aid In erecting the
machinery of the new law. Among the
more moderate element of the A. p. A.
and the great mass of citizens the senti-
ment Is in favor of a settlement by the
Supreme Court.
Tomorrow night the so-called A. p. a.
police law goes into effect and the situation
In Omaha is growing more critical hourly.
Two police forces and trouble galore are
/ Imminent One hundred of the most promi-
nent and wealthiest taxpayers OF Omaha
tonight addressed a prayer to the Attor-
ney-general and other members Of the board
having the appointing of the new commits
sion, begging that the Attorney-general ac-
cept the Governors suggestion and ask
the Supreme Court to test the law at once
and avoid serious trouble. The petition
further says:
eve invoke your cooperation to avert
the danger of serious disturbance and
probable loss OF life and destruction of
property In this city by the impending con-
fiict between appointees on the police and
fire departments of rival fire and police
commissioners. Such a conflict should, If
possible be prevented. not merely on ac-
count of its terrible Consequences, bat for
the sake OF the good name of this city and
State. 1t would be deplcrable indeed TO
have this city torn UP oy riotous disturb
and strangers in attendance upon our
State fair will demand at the hands Of our
police the exercise IF The utmost vigilance
fares and protect the public from profess
sional criminals who always abound at
great gatherings.
steps as will promptly bring the subject to
the attention OF the highest judicial tri-
bunal OF our State anL secure at its hands
final adjudication upon the issues in
But the Attorney-general refuses the
prayer: In a letter to the Governor he
says: Where are such threats to end II
one set Of men have right to say We
Will obey no law enacted by the Legisla-
ture until the court has passed upon its
No one knows better than you that that
Is not the law. 1t is your duty as well as
the most humble citizen to obey the law
until the court has declared IL invalid Any
other course leads to anarchy. The law
under which the present Board of Fire
and Police Commissioners are acting ex-
pires on the 1st OF August by TACT Of the
The man who Is not pleased with II? No.
The man who did not agree with the Leg
islature politically? No.
Governor, this whole matter is in your
hands. If 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 10 enforce the laws as you find
them on the statute book until they have
been repealed by the Legislature or an
nulled by the court. Tell them they have
nothing TO fear by obeyance to the law
II will take no step with YOU in defiance
Of law. but assure you will Join heartily
with you In bringing about an early de-
clson as to the validity OF this law a 3 soon
as possible after II goes into effect. In
closing let me beg you, IN the name OF the
we are so proud. take no step that will dis
credit you. or dlscredt the State, or injure
our reputation for peace and good order of
the metropolis OF Nebraska Let the man
who would encourage anarchy know a;
Cnce that there is no place in Nebraska for
him. Let them know that you are not here
TO defy the law"