The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-06-28
A CRY FOR HELP.
Delegation of Prominent TOpe-
ka Citizens
Headed by Chairman of State
Temperance Union
CALLS ON MIR. GODDARD
Asks Assistance of Attorney
General of Kansas
To Enforce Prohibitory Law in
Shawnee County.
TO GUST OFFICIALS.
Criminal Proceedings Suggest
ed For Negligent officers.
Mr.. Bonebrake Says Police Ar
rest Decrepit Women
But Permit AristOcratic Offend
ers to Go UnmOleSted.
To Enforce PrOhibitOry Law in
Shawnee County.
TO GUST OFFICIALS.
Criminal Proceedings Suggest
ed For Negligent officers.
Mr.. B0nebrake Says Police Ar
rest Decrepit Women
But Permit AristOcratic Offend
ers to Go UnmOleSted.

"A delegation Of prominent Topeka cltA-
zens called on Attorney General GODDARD
at 11:30 today and demanded that he
take some action for the purpose of Sc
curing the enforcement of the prohibi-
tory law in this city.
The attorney general assured the COM
mittee that their demands should not
go unheeded and promised to take the
matter up on his return to the city the
latter part of the week and inaugurate
active movement in behalf of good
government and good citizenship
The delegation was composed of the
following gentlemen: j. w. Gleed,
Judge T. F. Carver, DR.. w. B. Swan,
P. 1. Bonebrake, H. r. Hilton, w. H.
Cowles, Hugh Carl, Frank Foster, c. H.
NetteIs, A. H. Vance, F. o. PopenOe,
G. B. Harrison, H. c. Bowman, E. B.
Cowgirl, T. E. Stephens, James Griffin.
Matt Campbell, H. G. Larimer and
Judge John w. Day.
When the committee marched into the
attorney generals office Mr.. GODDARD,
who did not know they were coming,
greeted all pleasantly and gave the del
egation an attentive hearing. When the
visitors had occupied the chairs and
esconced themselves in the windows j.
w. Gleed, president of the State Tenn
perance union said:
Mr.. Attorney General: 1 want to
inform you that it will be a long time
before you shake hands with many
good men at one time again.
Il appreciate the honor said Mr..
GODDARD.
why don't some Of you applaud. I'm
waiting for it," said Mr.. Gleed. After
this exchange of pleasantly Mr.. Gleed
said:
We are here to inform you that the
section of the constitution prohibiting
the sale of Intoxicating liquors as a
beverage is being persistentIy violated
in this city. There are over thirty
joints in the city, all running more or
less openly. We are here to ask and
demand your assistance in causing re-
spect and obedience of this law. We
are here not to dictate methods but are
here to inform you that for year the
law has been set at naught.
THE county officials charged with the
responsibility of enforcing the law are
not doing their duty. We believe that
the appointment of an assistant attOr-
ney general or the prosecution of the
county attorney, sheriff, chief of police,
criminally for permitting these Viola,-
tionS of law, or proceedings to GUST
them from office would accomplish the
desired end, but we do not care to say
what means you shall adopt. Personal
ly / would like to see all of these things
done, but L am not authorized to re-
quest you to do all of this. But, unless
the joints are closed we would like to
see such proceedings inaugurated.
THE sentiment of this community is
opposed to the joint and saloon and we
favor the enforcement of all laws"
Mr.. Gleed then suggested that other
members of the delegation express their
views. Mr.. GODDARD said:
II would like to hear any suggestions
which you gentlemen may have to
make"
w. H. Cowles said: 1--WE came to as
sure you that a large number of our
III n wit
conditions because those authorized to
suppress these places have failed to
perform their duty. There are many of
US who have spent both time and mon
ey in this direction without result wh o
are tired of the way things are going
and we now want to see some results.
For. myself my own impression is
that there is a fair prospect for con-
victing the county attorney of miscon-
duct in office even before a jury in
Shawnee county. Or it may be better
to endeavor to secure his removal by
quo warrantO proceedings in the su-
preme court For myself, 1 prefer the
former procedure. 1 want to see that
done. The city officers are not acting
in good faith and the liquor men are
satisfied with the way things are 60
ing. We have had two demonstrations
recently of the ease with which joints
can be closed-the front door anyway
that was when the police department
was turned over to the city by the
Leedy administration, and in April last
when the present administration took
hold.
II think the economical and effective
way for the state is to proceed to re-
move the negligent officials from office.
1t would place a new light on these
matters and bring them to a realization
of the true condition of affairs
Mr. Gleed-Mr. Foster can perhaps
furnish us with list of the joints and
the places at which they do business
In reply Frank Foster said: There
was a time when 1 was in touch with
this information-that was when / was
chairman of the prosecuting committee
of the Committee of Seventeen named
by the Committee of 200. We had de-
tectives employed to furnish eviden
which we found was reliable. Two
months ago I could have told all about
these places but I cannot do so today
Since the present city administration
took charge / cannot speak with auth
GRITTY My information is that the
statement by Mr.. Gleed that there are
over so Joints running in this city, is