The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-01-11
WITH ONE VOICE.
The Entire State Administra-
tiOn is Opposed
To the Metropolitan Police Law
of Kansas
WITH ONE EXCEPTION
And That is Governor Leedy,
Who Himself Does Not
Regard the Law AS an Unmixed
Blessing.
THE MAIN PLEA MADE
Is That it Puts City Govern
ment in Hands
Of the States Executive Which
Only Makes
Endless Turmoil and Distrac-
tiOn for the Governor.
Is That it Puts City Govern
ment in Hands
Of the States Executive Which
Only Makes
Endless Turmoil and Distrac-
tiOn for the Governor.

There seems to be no division of opin-
ion among the state officers concerning
the metropolitan police system. All ex-
cept Gov. Leedy, favor its adjustment.
He apparently indorses it by retaining
the police commissioners, and has once
publicly pointed out it's advantages. al
AOugh privately it is understood the
governor himself has strong objec-
tions to the law.
Ex-State Chairman John w. Breiden-
thai, discussing the law, said:
4 think the metropolitan police sys-
tenn is a fraud, and should be abolished.
The system, as administered, is a dis
grace to the state, and has proved a
load to every administration that could
not possibly be carried through a
campaign, and succeed.
Whether the present administration
will prove an exception to this rule
time alone will tell
IF were Gov. Leedy, I would throw
the responsibility for management of
local affairs upon the cities and relieve
the state of tine Odium and stigma that
attaches to it as a result of this system
of selling indulgences.'
I do not believe that it was ever in
tended that police commissioners should
be appointed who would license vice in
violation of the constitution, and
where they are appointed it should be
with the understanding that they would
De expected TO enforce the law rather
than become parties to its violation.
I believe that the public official who
vigorously enforced this law will re-
ceive the endorsement of three-fOurths
of the people of the state regardless OF
whether or not they believe in the
law.
While it may be true that law can
not be enforced contrary to public SEN
timent it is also true that public Of
fetal who discharges his duty will Gre
ate healthy public sentiment in favor
of its enforcement which will sustain
him..
Chief Justice Doster of the supreme
court said:
THE system should be abolished. The
statute authorizing appointments by
the governor should be repealed, and
if, under the statute, he has a discre-
ton to make appointments, a matter
about which I have no opinion, because
I never read the law. he should abstain
from the exercise of the power. L be-
Iieve in home rule, local government.
The authorities provided by other stat
utes for the enforcement of the laws
generally should be, and doubtless are,
sufficient
Associate Justice Allen said:
Il don't believe, on general principles,
in the state undertaking the control
of the cities, and I am in favor of the
abolition of the police commissioner
law.
.The enforcement of the prohibitory
law necessarily depends on the people
sibiIity should rest on the people of
each locality and not be divided be-
tween the state administration and the
city authorities.
contrary to our form of government"
Attorney General Boyle said:
THE metropolitan police system has
been, is now, and always will be fail
ure 1t should be abolished. The law
not only defeats the object that put it
on the statute bOoks-the enforcement
of the prOhibitOry law-but 1t is the
prolific cause of dissension and local
broils.
.sThe system is repugnant to the lib
ertv loving people of the west, and eS-
pecially the people of kansas
State superintendent Stryker SAID:
.fOne of the cardinal principles OF /
Populism IS self government; local self
government. Let the people rule. The
a abolished Since the day when Govern
or Humphrey was elected, this system
of handling affairs in the cities of the
first class has been a failure The pro-
hibitory law has never been enforced
since that time.
THE metropolitan police system de-
prives the people of the rights guaran-
teed to them by the constitution Not |
only that but it has caused the down. |
fail of every administration which has |
ATTEMPTED to deal with it. The system |
is pernicious and. should by all means |
be abolished
Concerning resubmlsslon MT Stryker |
said:
I am in favor of the referendum as |
oDerated in Switzerland. All import |
ant questions should be referred to the |
Deople at any time they want a chance |
to vote on them. This question-the |
referendum-should be an important |
plank in the next state platform am |
not in favor of declaring for the reSub- !
mission of the liquor question alone. 1 |
want no alliances with the liquor pow |
er.
1.-THE principle of the referendum
should be applied to the solution of all |
public questions. Then all people would /
discuss principles and not men. Edu- /
cation would he given wonderful, and
I believe permanent impetus. 1t would |
do away with corruption in legislative |
bodies and accomplish many other /
needed and important reforms"
Charles A Taylor, assistant state
auditor, said:
1.-The metropolitan police system
should be abolished. The people of
Kansas are always in favor of home
rule and no such principle as this can
be found in the present method of gov