The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-07-01
TRICKS In TRADES
Politics Seems to Furnish More
Than Its Share.
Was Visit to Attorney General
Part of a Scheme?
HELP SHERIFF COOK.
Charged That Purpose is to
Detract Attention.
Have the People Think About
Other Officers.
Help SHERIFF. COOK.

There is a crowd of politicians in this
city who are circulating the report that
the visit of the temperance committee
to the office of Attorney General God
ard, Wednesday, was, in reality, a
movement in the interests of Porter S.
Cook for sheriff, although the members
of the committee We're not fully ad-
Vised as to its real import.
j. A TrOutman, who is one of Sheriff
Cooks friends is charged with having
put up the job on the committee. 1t is
claimed that Mr.. TrOutman devised the
scheme for the purpose of getting the
hqHOr element in the city arrayed
against the attorney general forgetting
for the time, their enmity to the sheriff.
while he would walk to victory at the
polls.
This is a very pretty romance and
does not seem impossible but the mem
bers Of the cOmnittee disclaim any
knowledge of such a movement. 1t
viii be remembered that the mem bers
of the committee which called on Mr.
GODDARD expressed the opinion that the
city administration is in reality respon-
sible for the nOn-Observance of the pro-
hibitOry law by the jOintists
In concluding the conference it was
stated by the attorney general that he
would take the matter up when he re-
turns to the city. It will be also re-
mem bered that it was suggested that
the attorney general notify the city
marshal, police judge and other Off
GERS charged with the responsibility of
enforcing the law, that they are sub
ject not only to criminal prosecution for
permitting violations of the law but
also by this neglect make themselves
liable to a forfeiture of their offices.
This latter clause was added to the
old law by an amendment adopted dur
ing the last session of the legisIa ture.
1t is claimed also by the circulatOrs
of the story that the real purpose of
the committee was to direct attention
in h a
enforcement of the law and thereby
shift the burden of responsibility from
the county officers. 1t is argued that
if the work of the committee created
and not the local Cfficia1s; the state
and not the county administration
would be held responsible and receive
the abuse. Under these circumstances
it is reasoned that Cook would have an
easy victory at the polls.
1t is also claimed that James A
Troutman inspired the meeting. A call
signed by J. w. Gleed, w H COwles
Mr. TrOutman was first circulated, re-
questing that a meeting be held in Mr.
Gleed's Office after which call was to
be made upon the attorney general.
Mr. Troutman did not inspire the
meeting and was not present. He was
in Kansas City that day and one of
Sheriff Cooks opponents says Trout
man was smart enough to get uD the
meeting and then leave town.
All of this is denied by Mr. Trout
man. When asked about the rumor he
said; That's quite scheme"
You don't seem to be denying it -
said the reporter.
ITS too absurd to deny" was the re-
ply as he turned away with a heavy
laugh.
Mr.. .Gleed pronounces the story a hoax
and says the meeting was called in the
interests of law and order and is not in
any sense political scheme.