Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-05-09
LEEDYs WORST BREAK.
A Prominent Pop Says 1t Was His
"MOnkeying With the Police
C0rumissfoners,v

Washington, Kas., May S.-(Special.) In
speaking of the recent uprising of the peo-
pie of Topeka against the policy of the
Populist state administration in permit
ting the open and fragrant violation of the
prohibitory law. one of the most prominent
members of the Populist party in the state
to-day said:
"It is strange that men will not learn by
experience. Humphrey left behind him a
record of the foolishness of monkeying with
police commissioners SO plain that even
Lewelling saw the point when first elected,
but he hesitated and was lost. Morrill, in
pubic sentiment and home rule and
then got into police tangle which was, II
possible, worse than any that had beset his
predecessors. When Leedy was elected the
rank and file of his party wanted the met
ropolitan police law wiped out. In the
house only one member of his party came
from city of the first class. Leedy him
self was inclined to drop the law on his
own motion, but the old army of Lewelling
pie eaters moved on him and he surren-
dered. A bill passed the house repeating
the law and two-thirds of the senators
stood ready to pass it through the senate.
Governor Leedy called a number of sena-
tors to him and urged them to defeat re-
peal. 1t was done.
Now, what is the situation. Governor
Leedy has put himself on record as say saying 1as
worse than his predecessor. but this police
business
and scandal that owl-like declarations of a
desire to enforce law no longer receive a
respectful hearing in Kansas: Kansans
know that the metropolitan police is a ma
chine to accomplish; the violation of the
law and constitution of Kansas and to sell
indulgences for its violation: Governor
Leedy knew this when he lobbied senators
just as well as other citizens knew it. No
body .except, children and imbeciles has has
been fooled fol-. six years about any city
in Kansas outside of Topeka, and now no
sensible person need be fooled about what
is coming in Topeka. Public sentiment has
it has by the preachers. and Governor
Leedy is no innocent rustic not to recos-
nize that fact. He simply has an ambition
to show. the world that he Is smarter than
political machine in violation of law which
will carry him to victory in 1898.
"He will be bounded and harassed con-
tinually until his term expires. The To-
peka people never let up, and unless he
simply abandons the fight and turns police
control of the city over to Mayor Fellows
of his official time hereafter to the crowd
of Prohibition Republicans who always de-
sert their party when they are needed and
stay in line only when their votes dom I
worth cent. Fort Scott is a hornets nest
of dissatisfied politicians; Leavenworth he
has turned over to politicians who are not
in his party, and he did It t. after ar,d ne had "a,
sion in 1898; Atchison. is in control of the
Democrats and a string CT old line Pops
are mad: Wichita is as uncertain as ever,
and Kansas City perched On volcano. the
of these latter four cities, he can reasona-
bly, expect to have the usual amount OF
| trouble, especially during the preliminary
work leading up to the fall campaign Lit
| tie Egypt will not be able to Withstand the
| boards which will clamor at his door be-
| tween now and October"