Kansas City daily journal., 1897-02-07

ty marshal, now a policeman, was called
10 verify the statement of Commissioner
court, in the trial of Harvey Taylor had
| rekuked Officer Whitsett and said he was
more OF prosecutor than prosecutor.
He said Taylor was three times convicted
Mr.. Wallace introduced n copy of the
record of Whitsett's testimony OF the sec
ond trlal of Taylor, in which there was
tions asked. Attorney Waters claimed that
was the testimony before Judge Wofford
not before Judge White. Stewards state
meht was general. Detective Tom Hayde
also testified to the same occurrence, but
ADMITTED that Judge White was quite petu-
lant during the latter part of his term.
Oflicer Griffin testified in support of Com
missioner Johnson'5 statement that Whit
sett swore to having seen Nora Weber in
WINE rooms for two weeks when the rec
ords showed Nora was in the workhouse.
during that time. officer Sol Davis was
also in the case. Attorney Wallace got
Griffin all tangled up and showed he had
times and also fired" once Sergeant
Weber also said he was present when
the Nora Weber case was tried.
Rigid Cross-Exnmination.
When MIR. Johnson came back to the
stand Ior croSs-eXamination. Mr.. Wallace
began by asking witness about his early
political career.
Nh. Wallace asked about a decision of Mr..
nance against policy and lottery tickets
was invalid, which decision was reversed
by the court of appeals, He denied that
Il Brown grew out of the construction of
the law, and that Brown dismissed the
cases in justice courts instituted by Chief
Mr.. johnson admitted that if the police
commissioners were disposed to exercise
eiful political machine. He did not believe
the chief would be Il necessary part of
such a machine.
He admitted he had taken some part in
politics, just the same as If he had not
been commissioner He said he had inves-
tigated the action of Chief Irwin at the
carnival week fire department exhibit, and
thought 1t all right. No complaints ever
came to the board about the action there.
He denied that Ed Findley had ever Wis
tied him at his house. or that he had ever
recommended man for appointment since
ever asked to have man discharged from
the force.
Attorney, Wallace: .'Mr. Fyke said the
facts relative to gambling were a surprise
to him; how is it with you?"
II was not surprised. I would not be sur
prised TO learn it was going on somewhere
Mr.. wallace then questioned the witness
fully about the advisability of chief of
Mr.. Wallace held to the idea of experience
as essential. Mr.. Johnson thought famil-
iarity with the work not absolutely neces-
The action of the police in taking charge
of Turner hall last spring. and keeping peo-
@ PIE GUY at,q ieIflnH o.neFs M was breeiy us
Mr.. johnson indorsed it.
p You Were chairman of part of that
convention"
DO you think it proper for a police com;
missioner to mix up in a factional tight?"
citizen tixe1, -.r. - ,ha sn,or, ,,a,,n,t,o,
meeting Tbaf trying with others df tttSap t2 eapsure Id
had n right to take a hand and express
public opinion. That was not a Speers
Nt1rr ty,r ra1f tfr1er allA.1
to allow enemies of Governor Stone an OPP
portunity of fighting him.. There were men
IN botb 1he IN es wn9 SnS a hd his
Tiernan was such man, and there were
many others
Senator Grey: You say you discussed
the fitness of the members of the force and
chose sixteen who could best be spared?"
Now, let's see The first statement was
they were let out for lack of funds. Mr..
Fyke says some We're let out because they
were. A. P: As. Now, you say it was q
question of fitness. and the men dropped
could be best spared?'
did you take into consideration the re-
tention of competent men. of small means,
as against men who are well fixed imam
cially?"
"We did not discuss that"
WAS the fitness of the men discussed
at a meeting of the board?'
mo. sir; Mr.. Fyke and 7 discussed it
prior to the meeting and agreed to the list
1Ou say you ndu some knOWleuge OF
matters against certain men. Now don't
you think if these facts We're to have q
bearing against the men, the hearing ought
to have been before the full board and the
men given a chance to explain the charges
and possibly refute them?"
I'VE did not hold these as charges
Attorney Wallace: "Mr. johnson, you say
all else equal you'd appoint Democrat
Now.in case two Democrats of equal merit
one Brown Democrat. the other an anti
Brown Democrat, who would get your
vote?'
II would cross the stream when I reach
It."
Have you never crossed it?''
mot that I remember Of
81 offer here a record of all gambling |
cases handled by Mr.. Johnson when police |
Judge. 1t is offered to show his standing
on the question of gambling" said Mr..
Wallace.
The record had been sent in to Mr.. Wal
lace from Judge Guinotte's room. where |
Joe Shannon and Charley Millman stay The
committee excluded the report, but read it |
carefully afterwards.
Various news items and editorials from |
the city papers were then read. and the in |
vestigation closed by statement from w. !
w. Morgan that the Turner hall meeting |
was made up of the best people in the city |
and was for Speers.
Senator Morton returned the thanks of |
the committee to the attorneys and all 9TH |
erS who had been with the senator's and |
the investigation closed.
E00n WII1l DEoIIJT