The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-08-30


Judge Hatton-The Commissioners ar.
in Diiemma-Are Afraid of Losins
Their Own scalps-They Held Two
Meetings Yesterday--Judee Hatton No,
Yet Asked to kesign-Justice Tucker
Stated for Hatton's Place.
There was a lull in the prohibition
war yesterday. There was a complete
cessation of hostilities all along the
line, and Tiger Bill has retired to his
jungle He east an eye backward over
his shoulder and gave one omnibus
growl as he disappeared. and since
that time there has been a profound
silence in the jungles.
Judge Hatton made his decision in
regard to the qualification of I. v. Dean
as juror, and he stands by it because
he thinks he is right, and Tiger Bill
has given il cut cold and fiat that he
will not try any more liquor cases be-
fore Judge Hatton, and now citizens
are every hour asking the commission
ers what they are going to do about il.
1t was currently reported yesterday
that Mr.. David Dale and Mr. Rufus
Cone had served notice on Commission
er Smyth that he must nave nothing
to do with this fight on Judge HattOff,
and if he did he would be considered an
enemy in the Democratic camp.
II did not take these two Demopops
long 10 find out that the sentime Mt Of
the community is with Judge Hatton
instead of with the attorney general,
and they are afraid that this sympathy
will influence voters on election day.
Some of Commissioner Keck's friends
said yesterday that Mr.. Keck and
Judge Hatton were both old soldiers
and members Of Garfield post, and that
they have served on the school board
together and that in no case would Mr.
keck cast a vote on the board that
would have for its object an injury
and an insult to Judge Hatton.
In that case what will Mr.. Smyth.
the Democratic chairman of the board
do. If he votes to discharge Judge
Hatton he puts himself in line with the
Prohibitionists, and commits the DEM
ocratic party to that side of the ques-
ton, and If he fails TO so vote he goes
back on the assistant attorney general
who was appointed for the special pur-
pose of running the commissioners.
Thus IL will be seen that Mr.. Smyths
position is anything but comfortable
He is between the two horns of a di-
lena, and which ever one he may take
means trouble to him.
The commissioners tried to shield
themselves behind Tiger Bill, and
claim that prosecution must stop in all
liquor cases unless Judge Hatton is re-
moved. but Judge Hatton shut that off
by offering TO transfer the cases to
either of the three justice of the peace
without cost to the county.
Justice Glenn, Justice Walker am
Justice Jones are all attorneys, and the
assistant attorney general can not
claim that they or either of them, are
not competent to try the cases. Tiger
Bill sees this point, hence he remains
quiet in his jungle.
The average citizen can not see why
this arrangement should not prove
satisfactory TO all parties, but those
who are up to snuff claim that nothing
but police judge who will do the bid
ding OF the ProhibitioniStS will suit the
crowd that is behind this movement.
Statutes and decisions that have
stood the test of the ages and the
scrutiny of the highest courts in the
land must be brushed aside if they
stand in the way of the Good Citizens
league.
To any man who has even a remote
idea Of what ii takes to constitute an
efficient police officer the spectacle OF
the present police board attempting to
exercise duties OF chief of police is
to witness the spectacle of a man ele-
waited to the police judgeship who will
quote the authority of the law and or
der league instead of the statutes and
court decision of Kansas.
That is Just the kind Of a man the
power behind the present police COM
mission wants for police judge, but just
how to get him there, is what now
veXes their righteous souls. Judge
HattOn has rhA official repnvpifiap Of
the Republican party of Sedgwick
county. He has the endorsement of the
Republican party for the office of dis
trict Judge, and what Republican, I'M
less it be considered that Bill Camp
bell IS a Republican. will say that he
has not ability and integrity to prop
erly fill the office he now holds
This was the kind of questions pre-
sented and argued on every hand by
Republicans yesterday. and it is use
tess 10 remark that that very kind-Apf
talk scared the commissioners. They =!
are afraid to act lest there own scalps
Will ornament the belt of a Republic
can governor if they undertake 10 fire
Judge Hatton. Even Tiger Bill wishes
he was out of this whole business, and
he declares that he is not personally
interested in the result.
One of the men who has been in this
movement from the time the first at
tempt 10 remove the old board said |
yesterday: What bothers me is this !
Now suppose we succeed in getting |
Judge Hatton out of office and Cover |
nor Morril should want To know why
we did it. There is not one of our crowd |
who can show that he failed To do his !
duty, or that is obiectiOnabl bic ruling /
was not in accordance with law. And |
If we could do that it might be further |
asked who ever before heard of a Judge |
being turned out Of office for failing to |
properly interpret the law. when dis |
frict courts are every day reversed by !
the supreme court.
The mere possibility that Tiger Bill /
might succeed in his attempt 10 Gust |
Judge Hatton from position which he |
holds by appointment on the recon-
Of the leading business men |
Of Wichita and who now is supported /
by three-fourths Of the citizens Of this
city, without regard to politics, was
sufficient TO bring out candidates for
the office
EN-Justice :. NJ Tucker was under
stood to be the man slated by Tiger
Bill 10 succeed Judge Hatton. bat the
assistant attorney general insists that |
he has not made any recommendation. !
II NJ. Brown. A. NJ. Studervant. J. /.
Yer and J. 4. Bruhaker. il is under
STOOD. would not decline the office now
held by Judge Hatton if rendered TO
them. and each can secure some en-
dorsements from the Law and Order
League.
The board OF police commissioners
held an informal meeting in Mr..