The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-04-16

/ favor Of the law any more there had
been a great change in that respect;
the law would not be enforced without
arousing enmities, etc. etc.
Finally he took the oath of Office.
He was inaugurated with solemn Ger
emonies and sworn to support the
constitution of the state and faith
fully to administer the duties imposed
upon him by law.
POLICE COMMISSIONERS APPOINTMENTS.
When Governor Morrill, came to con
slider his police commissioner appoint
ments he found that:
In Topeka the law and order senti-
ment was so strong that the law would
be enforced regardless of whether po-
lice commissioners were appointed or
not. He found also that the voters
were overwhelmingly in favor of the
reappointment of the old commission
which had done such excellent service
prior to Lewelling. To appoint the
old commission was the most popular
thing he could do-and he did it.
Kansas City had been an issue in
the campaign. Some little stir was
made by the temperance people of Kan
sas City, headed by Rev. Dougherty,
and accordingly a commission was ap-
pointed there consisting of the friends
of law endorsements Open saloons
disappeared and the law was reason
ably well enforced for several months.
Leavenworth was the most 1aw1ess
city in the State. Morrill, knew it,
There were open saloons there. Nor
riu knew it. Local sentiment was adj
verse to the prohibitory law. Morrill,
knew it. There were two courses open
to the Executive; either to appoint po-
lice commissioners who would enforce
or attempt to enforce the law; or to ap-
point no commissioners at all. The
latter course would be, perhaps, a
sinking of duty but it would not be
gross violation of the official oath.
The governor would be justified in
interfering with the police affairs of
Leavenworth only on the ground that
local officers Of the law were not doing
their duty; that State Interference was
necessary to uphold the laws and Con
stitution of the State. The governor
would be justified in intervening only
for the purpose Of enforcing lar. It
was his right and duty to do that-to
appoint commissioners to enforce or
do their best toward enforcing the law
and the Constitution.
What Governor Morrill, did was to
appoint commissioners who he well
knew would not make the slightest ef-
fort to enforce the law. FRIENDS OF
THE CONSTITUTION SHOULD REMEMBER
THIS CLEAR Down TO THE POLLS NEXT
NOVEMBER. Governor Morrill, appoint
ed police commissioners IN Leaven-
worth who he knew had not the slight
est notion of enforcing the law.
Why did he do this7 Because with
a republican board,a republican police
Judge, republican chief Of police and
a republican police force the city could
be wholly controlled by republicans.
Otherwise it would be democratic.
Prominent republicans Of Leaven-
worth wanted police commissioners,
but wanted police commissioners who
could be relied on not to do their duty
and Morrill, complied with the wish.
Atchison and Wichita received SINH
lar boards.
Governor Morrill, will not-he dare
not-say that the commissioners ap-
pointed by him in Atchison and Leav-
enworth ever minated to him an in
tent, much less gave him a pledge to
close the saloons and enforce the law.
THAT INTERVIEW.
Presently came the famous inter
view in the Kansas city Star. Mr..
Vandegrift, the correspondent of the
Star, vouches for the absolute accuracy
of his report. DR.. Brumbaugh of
Atchison had preached a sermon in
which he had said that under Governor
Morrill, the prohibitory law in large