The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-10-08


The way in which Spencer and Joce-
!yn manipulated the fusion conference
committee and got the best offices and
half the fusion ticket for the Democrats
is in keeping with the way they insulted
the whole party here on Bryan day and
the way they appointed the special POI
lice for the fair grounds, and the way
they have Of keeping the books OF the
police commission.
What motive prompted these men to
assume the running of both the Popu-
list and Democratic parties. and why is
II that Joe Furnish is not allowed 70
keep the books OF the police commits
sion, nor even to see them? Why is it
that Mr.. Furnish is not permitted 10
know who pays fines in the city Of
Wichita nor the amount paid by any
one of the places that pay fines? Why
is il that when he asked to see the
itemized account Of collections it was
refused him by the other two commits
sioners who individually have no more
rights than Mr.. Furnish? Why was it
that Chief Campbell promised Mr.. Fur
nisn monthly statement but after see
ing the other two members told Mr..
Furnish that he couldn't give it, that
his orders were not TO do any such
thing? Why is it that Chief Camp
bells monthly report is never sub
mitted at a regular session by Mr..
Campbell himself, but is always brought
In by Spencer or Jocelyn, who manage
to keep it out OF Secretary Furnish's
hands?
Mr.. Furnish is secretary Of the board.
1t is his business TO keep the books. The
law makes provision for the secretary's
office and prescribes its duties But the
law does not make any provision for
such place as treasurer of the police
commission. nor does Il say that fines
and forfeitures snail be. collected in the
private office Of one of the commission
ers three blocks from the city building.
Mr.. Jocelyn calls himself treasurer Of
the police board which, though the law
contemplates no such place nor pre-
scribes any duty for the commissioner
that would call for any such title or the
work it implies, would not be srime,
but why should he and Spencer want to
keep the records away from Mr.. Fur
nish? Why should they refuse TO let
Mr. Furnish have the statement of
monthly collections long enough 10
make a copy or even tell what it is?
Mr.. Furnish is member Of the board.
Nobody ever accused him of being dis
honest, and he certainly would not run
off with the documents.
II is easy to understand the snobbery
and selfishness that would prompt these
men to bullioze their political schemes
through and treat old Populist work
ers as though they had neither sense |
nor privilege, but why they should as
sumo dictatorial control OF all the bust /
ness Of the police commission and keep |
transactions a secret even from the other /
member of the board when the business /
Is public and the money a property Of /
the city treasurer. is something people !
would like to know about. 1t is not a /
matter of public concern if two men, oy /
means Of a little political machinery, |
take hold of the interests of the Popu- |
list and Democratic parties Of the coun- |
ty and use the whole thing 10 secure ad- |
endorsement and cinch !
their own jobs, but why they |
should offer this queer insult 70 Mr.. /
Furnish is something his friends would |
like 20 understand. Il certainly means /
for one thing, that the insult these men
offered TO Ex-Governor Lewelling, Judge /
Dale, l. P. Campbell. Rufe Cone. W. \.
Ayres, r. VI. Piatt. r. a. Sankey, Kos
Harris ana other leading PoPulists and
Democrats OF the country, was only |
limited by the opportunity Jooelyn and
Spencer had 10 extend i.
Lewelling, Dale, Ayers. Campbell and
the Others mentioned. were not even ac-
corded the privilege OF an introduction
10 Bryan, yet they are leaders and men
who have worked hard and made 1t pos
sible for Populists to hold the Office OF
police commissioner. They would be
treated, and the whole Populist party
would bet reated, just as Joe Furnish is
Il Jocelyn and Spencer had a chance.