The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-02-03
so JOINTS.
Bequeathed to the New POpulist
Police Board
Ay the Late Lamented Republi-
can Board.
WILL THEY BE CLOSED
Gov. Leedy Interviewed on the
Topeka Joints
Says Time Alone, Will Show
What He Will DO.
STEELE CAN Do 1T
STEELE CAN DO 1T
If He is Given the Word to
Close Them Up.
Business of Legitimate Drug
stores Injured by Joints.
Crime Gradually Growing More
Frequent AS in Saloon Days.

a question that is on the tongue of
nearly every one from the violaters of
the law to the people who were disgust
ed with the policy of the last admins
tration concerning drinking places.
Gov. Leedy told friend not long ago
in a private conversation that the joints
would be closed and that he would
change the police commissioners every
"a hours if it was necessary to accom-
plish that end, but he is silent on the
question when interviewed.
A Journal reporter found Gov. Leedy
in his room at the National this morn
ing and said:
THE people of Topeka would like to
know what will be the policy of this
administration toward the joints in To-
peka."
You have a board of police commits
sioners who have charge of that matter.
1t might be a good idea to ask them,'
replied Gov. Leedy.
But they refuse to say anything
about it. You. know that the police
commissioners always follow the wish
es of the chief executive in such mat
ters."
That may be true. but have not
talked with the commissioners and
have given them no instructions.
intend to let them alone at least for
awhile"
DO you favor closing the joints?"
Il do not care to say anything about
it have found that it is -hsstTto let
low the people to find them out as
things are done''
Then you will not say whether or
not the joints in Topeka will be closed
or allowed to run. %
Yes, will not say anything at this
time. If said that the joints would
be closed. it would be admitting that
there were joints in Topeka"
Have you any doubt on that score? %
Gov. Leedy smiled and then said eva
sively:
Il have never been in one"
Neither Chief Steele nor the police
commissioners will say what the policy
of the new administration will be. They
say they are in favor of the enforce
ment of law" and there the matter
stops. This may mean anything, for
Topeka has never had a police board
that would not say: I'VE are in favor
of the enforcement of law
A Topeka man who is a close observ-
er told Journal reporter that three or
four new bars had been put in on Kan
sas avenue by people who expect to be
allowed to sell liquor unmolested. 9th
ers say without authority that the new
administration will run things wide
open.'
But those who are on the inside as
much as anyone can be with Governor
Leedy say that it will be the policy of
the administration to crush out the
joints.
Chief of Police Steele and Sergeant Tim
Donovan before him and had long
conference with them. He gave them
no Instructions, but discussed with them
the possibility of closing the drinking
places in Topeka.
Both men told Gov. Leedy all about
the present situation and also told him
that things could be closed. Those who
are acquainted with Chief Steele know
that if he starts out to close the joints
he will close them 1t will depend en-
tirely upon the orders he receives from
headquarters.
Every one knows what the policy of
the last administration was. Richard
Zeller who was the detective under the
last administration told a Journal re-
porter last evening that there are at
least so joints in Topeka now.
The last police force selected for its
political qualifications was one of the
worst in the history of the city Crime
went unmOlested to the very doors of
the police station. Republican parts
ans bequeathed the state the partisan
police force and they necessarily cannot
complain now when their own methods
are followed. The people who have a
right to complain are those who have
never countenanced political jobbery by
any party in the selection of policemen
Whatever the Populist police board may
give the city it can scarcely be worse
than the last police force
The fact that the police board did not
desire the jOintkeeperS to be molested is
well known to almost every one. De-
tective Zeller says that he received or
ders not to bother with the drinking
places from the chief during the latter
part of the administration.
If the new police administration in
tends to clean out the joints the follow
ing list of the drinking and gambling
places left unmOlested by the police ad-
minis tration may be of value The list
does not include all the places, but it
has been verified by members of the old
force, and also by one of the best in
formed ex-public officers in Shawnee
county:
Ed Timon, near the postoffice, in
North Topeka, drinking and gambling.
Drinking place in the second story of
a place near the Union Pacific depot,
kept by a white man named Jordan
b Adams, cOlOred gambling and
drinking place near the northeast cor
ner of First and Kansas avenue.
Joint kept by colored people in Festau-
rant just near Dan Cohen'S pawn shop,
between Second and Third.
Dick Oglesby's second story of a
building north of the Shawnee mills.
Christ Schmidt's place, known as the
Mechanics Union. hatNaen Second and