The Topeka state journal., 1897-09-10

who are in favor of law and order in
| this community, in mass meeting as
| sembled, do hereby resolve:
First-That we especially denounce
| the open and notorious violation of the
prohibitory law at Garfield park, both
! at the grocers' and butchers picnic and
also at the Labor Day celebration; and
we also denounce the law officers of the
county and city, not only because such
fragrant violation of law was permitted
by them, but also because they have
since then taken no steps to punish the
offenders.
.'Second-That we commend and ap-
prove the action of the Committee of
Seventeen in their efforts to stop the
illegal sale of liquors, arrest the Offend
ers and seize the liquor at Garfield
park on Labor Day and we indorse the
prosecution instituted by them in this
behalf. We especially condemn the
criticism made from some source that
said committee Disseminated in favor
Of the grocers' and butchers picnic and
against the Labor Day picnic. We know
said criticism to be unjust because said
committee had no notice or knowledge
that the law would be thus violated in
time to prevent the same; in fact said
committee was informed by members
of the grocerS' and butchers aSSOcfa-
ton that the sale of liquor on the
ground would not be permitted.
''Third-That we denounce in the
most unqualified manner the action of
said mob in resisting the officers in the
discharge of their duties; and we es-
pecially denounce the inhuman and
murderous assault made on Messrs-
Heald and Carruth. We look upon this
mob violence, this resisting of the Of
fcers, the drunken condition and viii
famous disposition of some of the MEM
bers of the mob, and all expressions OF
approval of the action of the mob as
the logical and natural result OF the
reign of lawlessness in our county fos-
tered and encouraged to a certain de-
gree by the failure of our county ana
ri officers TO do their duty.
ssFourth-That we express the most
unbounded contempt for the brutal con-
duet and the profane language OF the
chief of police Henry NJ. Steele, in re-
fusing to assist or suppress mob Vlo-
lence and to prevent possible murder
when he could have done SO by his
mere presence.
I'VE submit to the board of police
commissioners that in the name OF law,
order and decency, and in behalI OF the
outraged reputation OF our city, me
should be at once removed from ms po.
sition as chief of police, and we beg OF
YOU to make such removal at the ear
Iiest possible moment.
"Fifth-That we again call upon tne
officers of the law to do their duty as
required by law and the oath OF once
they have taken.
"Sixth-We hereby express a deter
mination that the laws shall pe en-
forced in Shawnee county
ssWe extend our congratulations and
thanks to our Committee OF seventeen
for the labor they nave perIorineo. w
express our highest confidence IN TINS
committee and call upon all the fr1ends
of law and order in this county to give
to this committee their support not only
morally but financially. To this END
and for the purpose of carrying Out our
datarnoinations to enforce the law in
this county we call upon all the friends
of law and order to attend the law ana
order mass convention called jointly py
tba Committee of Seventeen ana the
Ssitizans' League for Saturday, Septem-
Der is, 1897, at Hamilton hall at 1870 p