San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1895-07-31

Will be a Bloody One If It Comes.
OMAHA, Neb., July 31.-Tonight
the so-called A. P. A. police law
goes into effect and the situation
in Omaha is growing more critical
hourly. One hundred of the most
prominent and wealthiest tax
payers of Omaha have addressed
a prayer to the attorney general
and other members of the board
having the appointment Of the
new commission, begging that the
attorney general accept the gov
ernor's suggestion and ask the su-
preme court to test the law at
once and avoid serious trouble.
The petition further says: "We
invoke your cooperation to avert
the danger of serious disturbances
and probable loss of life and de-
struction of property in this city by
the i'm impending conflict between APP.
pointees on the police and fire de-
partments of the rival fire and po-
lice commissioners. Such con-
flict should, il possible, be prevent
ed, not merely on account OF its
terrible consequences, but for the
sake of the good name of this city
and state. 1t would be deplorable
indeed, to have this city torn up by
riotous disturbances at a time
when thousands Of visitors and
strangers in attendance upon
our state fair, will demand at the
hands OF our police the exercise OF
the utmost vigilance to maintain
order in our public thoroughfares
and protect the public from the
professional criminals who always
abound at great popular gather.
ings. Inasmuch as the existing
board of fire and police commits
sioners Is determined to continue
in the discharge Of its functions
until the validity Of the new police
commissioners act Is tested and
affirmed by the Supreme court, we
trust that you will refrain from
taking any action that would pre-
cipitate a clash between contend
ing police forces and respectfully
urge that you take such steps as
will promptly bring the subject to
the attention Of the highest judi
cIal tribunal Of our state and Sc
cure at its hands final adjudica-
ton upon the issues involved"
But the attorney general refuses
the prayer. In letter to the gov
ernor he says: "Where are such
threats to end il one set of men
have a right to say: We will obey
no law enacted by the legislature,
until the court has passed upon its
validity. All men would have the
same right. No one knows better
than you that it is not the law. 1t
is your duty as we'll as that Of the
most humble citizen to obey the
law until the court has declared it
invalid. Any other course leads to
anarchy. The law under which the
present board Of fire and police
commissioners are acting expires
July 81 by act Of the legislature.
Who is to say it does not? The
man who is not pleased with 1t?
No! The man who did not agree
with the legislature? No! Cover
nor, 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 enforce the laws as
you find them upon the statute
book until they have been repealed
by the legislature or annulled by
the court. Tell them that they
have nothing to fear by obeying the
law.
I will take no step with you in
defiance OF law, but 1 assure you L
will join heartily with you In
bringing about an early decision as
to the validity OF this law as soon
as possible after it goes into effect.
In closing let me beg you in the
name Of the law-abiding citizens OF
the state OF which we are proud,
take no step that will discredit the |
state or injure the reputation for
peace and good order of the metrop- |
oils of Nebraska. Let the man who |
would encourage anarchy know at J