Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-06-17
LEEDY TO ABOLISH THE METRoPoI-
ITAN POLICE SYSTEM.
POP ORDER TO BE oBEYED
1T WILL GIVE REPUBLICANS con-
TROL IN FIVE CITIES.
Popalists Say This VIII Weaken
Them In the Cities, but VIII
Strengthen Then in the
Country-Proclama.
tion Soon.

Topeka. June 1s-(special.) Governor
Leedy announced tonight that, In accord
ance with tho specific instructions Of the
Populist convention, he would issue a proc
lamation tomorrow or Saturday abolishing
the metropolitan police departments in the
ak largest cities Of Kansas, to take effect
July l. This win give the mayors Of the
various cities time to select their new police
officers.
The scramble for these places will prob
ably commence at once. All told, there win
be about $50 places to give out. Tho Re-
publicans viii control the appointments in
all the cities except Leavenworth.
Great dissatisfaction exists among the
Pops from the large towns. They declare
that. In surrendering the police machinery.
1t will throw all the Pops out Of positions
and win injure the party.
Those who rushed the plank through say
they expect 1t to lose the ticket votes in
the big cities but contend that 1t viii gain
them votes In the country.
Tho Republicans here express themselves
as delighted with the work Of the Pop con-
vention to-day. They say It makes more
certain Pop defeat this fall.
Chief Of Police Steele laments the action
Of the Pop convention and was full of
wrath. He saw the convention abolish his
job to-day and then observed that the
party appeared to be wanting to play into
the hands Of the Republicans.
He said. during the afternoon: 'They
are giving the Republicans club with
which they can beat out their brains. It
means the loss Of many votes to the Pop
ulist ticket.
80 far al am personally concerned. I
do not favor the metropolitan police sys-
tenn. but have served on the police force
under both systems and am satisfied
that this is great deal better than the
old system.
II do rot know what Governor Leedy
viii do: am sure II he abolishes the sys-
TEN It will mean the loss Of many votea.' IS
Mayor Charles Fellows was asked this
afternoon what course he would pursue II
the police department was turned back 10
the city. He said:
1T I have the appointment Of city mar
shal and police Judge and the police force
will either enforce the law or resign. To-
pella will be dry town in . wet season.
There. will b no more sKansas City bars
shipped In to Topeka" 3
Mayor Fellows was asked about appoint
ments. He replied: 'I hadn't thought
about them. for this was SO sudden. When
that comes up I will confer with the coun-
ell, and men win be appointed to places
whom We consider At for the positions. You
can say that those who apply for jobs will
not be appointed"
Just who win be appointed police Judge
and who city marshal. should the metro-
politan police law be suspended. ID not
known, but a well known Republican who
is 4 close friend Of Mayor Fellows said to-
day: John Wilkerson wouldn't probably
accept the position. John Gardiner stands
q good show for appointment as chief.
There is a question whether the mayor has
to appoint q justice Of the peace or whether
he can appoint any lawyer whom he sees
At. In case 1t Is . justice of the peace. II is
safe to say that w. g. McClintock will re-
ceive the appointment.
I'm the matter OF appointing . lawyer,
Judge L. 8. Ferry, who was police Judge
under the Morrill, administration, wiz re-
ceive the appointment II he viii accept It.
That Is very probable"
The metropolitan police law was passed
by the legislature In 1859. At that time it
was thought that the prohihitory law could
be more strictly enforced in the first class
cities by non-partisan police board ap-
pointed by the governor than by one ap-
pointed by local authority. Under this law
the police would not be Influenced by To-
cal sentiment. But in recent years, In
stead Of being used for that purpose, 1t has
been used to regulate the trafl1c. and sa-
looms have hourished like green bay trees.
Especially has this been true under the
Leedy administration. The law leaves it
optional with the governor to appoint COM
missioners. and gives him authority to
abolish boards at his will. Governor Leedy
did not 30 will. but the Pop convention did
to-day for him. A vast number Of rural
delegates were treated to view Of Topeka
by saslisht Tuesday night. They became
thoroughly disgusted at the system which
created officers who permitted such fia-
grant violations of the law. and voted to
~ H.