The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-01-20
TO BE OPEN SALOONS.
AtchiSOn and LeavenWOrth So
Interpret Police Board
Appointments.

Circumstances connected with the
appointments of police boards by Gov
ernor Leedy indicate that the present
administration will in no sense discon-
countenance the violations of the pro-
hibitory law in the cities of the first
class in Kansas.
So far nothing has been ascertained
which would lead anyone to believe
any intention of attempting to enforce
the law. On the other hand ample ev-
idence has been secured to show that
the commissioners propose to conduct
business administration" meaning
thereby to subject the violators of the
law to regular monthly fines.
The system of regular fines will be
continued in the future as in the past
but no attempt will be made to prevent
violations of the law. In Atchison,
Leavenworth and Kansas City, Kan
sas, the commissioners have been ap-
pointed, the understanding on the part
of their supporters being that the open
saloon and joints are not to be dis
turbed.
Last night Governor Leedy announc-
ed the appointment of DR.. Chris Linley
(Pop) F. M Baker, (Dem-) and George
L Weaver, Pop.) as police commits
sioners for the city of Atchison.
Dr. Linley will be chairman of the
board. Mr.. Weaver who is connected
with the purchasing department of a
wholesale drug store in AtchisOn, will
be secretary. He is a brother of Gen.
James B. Weaver. Mr.. Baker is a
grain dealer.
Representative Samuel Ernst, (Pop.)
of Atchison said today to a Journal
reporter:
4 am we'll acquainted with the mem
bers of the police board appointed by
ance and knowledge of the men who
were supporting the appointees, 1
should say that the intention is to per-
nit the ti-prohibitionists to run the
city. This means. of course, that the
saloons now in operation will not be
disturbed"
THE policy of the last administration
towards the saloons and joints was
very liberal and from the present indi-
cations 1 believe the new adTninistra-
ton will make no effort to cause a
change"
Another Populist-representa who
declined to permit the use of his name,
said This talk about enforcing the
law is all bosh- Leedy has political
sense enough to know that it would
forever ruin his chances for reelection
and insure the defeat of the Populist
state ticket at the next election were
he to open war upon the whisk inter
eStS.''
Representative John Seaton of Atch-
isOn (Rep), a resident of the city for
years, said in discussing the new COM
missioners:
L look upon this board as a good
one, composed of good men with clean
records and occupations. This board.
in my opinion, will follow the usual
proceedings and enforce the law as
strictly as it can be enforced by COM
missionerS IN Atchison.
- apprehend from the personnel of
the board that the members will OBJ
serve the wishes of the people there. a
great majority of whom are anti-prohi-
bitionists.
Our people have never made a big
hurrah against the saloons, but matters
have run along quietly. Those who
have been conducting such places have
been fined regularly and permitted to
continue in business
THE people of Atchison are largely in
favor of saloons and il is my opinion
that the present administration will not
attempt to inf1ict upon our citizens a
policy which will be diStasteful to US. -
Then you believe that violations of
the prohibitory law will continue and
that Atchison will have her open sa-
loons?'' asked the reporter.
Yes sir. 1 think that is true re-