The Topeka state journal., 1897-09-25
COMMITTEE HEARD FROM
About the Appointment of Deputy
Sheriffs for Festival Week.

To the Editor of the State Journal:
The newspaper statements relating to
the appointment of deputy officers for
Festival week are not correct in so far
the Committee of Seventeen is con-
ed The facts are these:
A subcommittee. consisting of Messrs-
PETER, Cowgirl and Campbell, acting un-
der instructions from the Committee of
Seventeen (the Law and Order conmittee)
called on Sheriff KepIey the 22nd insti-
and represented to him that the commit
tee was in possession of reliable informa-
ton that persons residing in Missouri as
well as residents of Kansas had made ar
rangements to open and conduct places
of business where intoxicat ating liquors
would be sold in Topeka during the week
of the FAN Festival, in violation of the
laws of the state; that the probabilities
were that the proposed Illegal business
would assume such proportions that the
sheriff's duties would be greatly multi
piled on that account while the festival
is in progress; that the committee was
ready and greatly desirous to render to
the sheriff's office such assistance it
could command to preserve order and en-
force the laws, and with that object in
view the committee were authorized to
tender the services of some reliable men
to serve as deputies if it would be agrees
able to the sheriff to appoint them as
SUCH
The sheriff informed the subcommittee
that, on the recommendation of the Com
rnittee of Fifteen, having charge of the
festival proceedings, he had already ap-
pointed a hundred or more deputies to as
sist him in case he shall need their serv-
ices, and he declined to deputize any per-
sons having business requiring atten-
ton.
On being pressed for representation
the constabuIary force, the sheriff said it
would cause trouble and therefore ought
not to be allowed; but he said there would
be no neglect or failure of duty on his
part; ne would perform his duties faith
fully; that he would promptly serve any
warrant placed in his hands, by whom
soever delivered. and that his office
would be open every day with officers
present for the convenience of all per-
sons having business requiring attend
ance.
1t is not the desire or purpose of the
Committee of Seventeen to supplant the
regular officers of the law whose special
duty it is to see to it's enforcement This
committee prefers to merely aid the reg
uIarIy constituted authorities, if they will
manifest any disposition to enforce the
law against open and persistent violation
The deputy sherifrs and extra policemen
Festival week will no doubt appreciate
the fact that they have voluntarily as
sumed and promised to discharge official
duties which the law makes very clear.
1t is their duty to notify the county at
toruey of any known violations of the
prohibitory law and to furnish him the
names of witnesses by whom such viola
tions can be proven A failure to dis
charge this duty is a misdemeanor. and
the guilty officer is subject to fine and
forfeiture of Office In common with all
good citizens. the Committee of Seven
teen is interested in preventing open and
disgracefuI violations of the law in To-
peka during the coming week and they
propose, as far as they can, that the law
shall be respected and obeyed- 1t is
hoped. however. that the regular officers
will be equal to every emergency and
prove themselves true to their oaths Of
office
F. M STAHL,
Chairman Committee of Seventeen
L. A STEBBINS, Secretary