Eagle River Democrat. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1893-1896, 1895-08-19
NO BLOOD WAS SHED.
Crowds of Curious People Surround
the City Hall All the
Morning.

Omaha, Neb., Aug. 14.-The situation
| with reference to the Omaha police mud
die has not changed materially yet.
| Since an early hour the city hall has
| been surrounded by a large crowd, most
| ly curiosity seekers, awaiting develop
| ments. No effort has been made to dis
perse them. The A p. A. commission
convened at 10 o'clock in rooms reserved
! for their use by the city council. The
quarters were crowded by a gathering
| of probably 200 sympathiZers A letter
| was sent to the old commission asking
conference, without, however, stating
| the object. The old commission agreed
and indicated the mayors office, where
the meeting is now in progress. Since
the positions of both are SO diametrical-
ly different. there is little chance OF an
amicable agreement.
The two boards are in session behind
closed doors, all but members OF the
commissions being excluded. The A. T..
A. board asserts that about one-half the
fremen and policemen of the regular
forces are ready to come over TO the
mission has received this reply from
Chief of Police White to their demand
that he recognize the A. p. A. commits,
sioners:
Gentlemen: Yours of the 10th inst. re-
ceived and contents carefully noted and IN
reply / would say / feel that your request
is placing me in a position hardly fair. pc
cause Of the fact that you desire me to de-
eide the legal question which is the prop
erly constituted board of fire and police
commissioners and this L am unable to'do
/ have carefully read the decision rendered
by Judge Hopewell in the injunction. pro-
ceedings just tried, and in said decision
paragraph appears wherein he says.that the
plaintiffs have the right to remain in peace
able possession and to exercise the functions
of said office until otherwise ordered III a
proper legal proceeding.
Now because of this position taken by
Judge Hopewell l feel that l am compelled
honorable mayor and board of fire and po-
lice commissioners, now acting and in pos
session of the control of affairs OF the board
until such time as the question mas Deen lie. ie
cheerfully recognize the board that is held
to be the legal board. In the meantime
deem 1t my duty as chief OF police to see
that the law and the ordinances OF the city
are enforced.
Hoping that this answer will meet with
your favorable approval and consideration,
: : ' go MARTIN J. WHITE,
Chief of Police.
The old commission defines it's position
now thus:
/ We believe we are the only lawful board
of police and fire commissioners CT Omaha
and, in the language OF Judge HopeWell,
have the fright to remain peace1ul1y III pos
session and to exercise the functions of said
offices until otherwise ordered in proper
legal proceeding"
This is not new law. 1t is the application
of long and well-established principles to the
facts in the case before him. This declara-
ton of law has the sanction of the best jul
dicial tribunals and the approval Of the
ablest legal authority. If we have the right
to remain in the peaceable possession and
perform the duties of our Offices until these
rights are taken from us by an order of the
court in legal proceeding it follows as sure
as day is not night that any other method,
lence to dispossess us of these rights is lille
gal and fraught with mischief. These rights
with which we are invested by law we shall
not only assert but with frmness maintain
Without violating any law we shall strive to
execute the law in proper and dignifed
manner $3.50
The crowds on the streets are increas-
ing, though no effort is being made to en-
force the mayors riot proclamation issued
when the row first broke out. The crowd
is good natured and, while there are SOME
threatening features, the indications are
rot favorable to concerted violence from
either faction.
After an animated discussion, the old
fire and police commission refusing any
compromise except upon the basis, of per-
hitting the Supreme court to pass on the
situation, the A. 2. A. commission consent
ed, and it was agreed, that the old COM
mission should contiue to conduct the
offices Of the city until a decision was rem
dered in the case. This was considered
definite settlement of the case.