The Topeka state journal., 1900-08-30
The AXE FALLS.
Mayor Drew Asks for Chief
Ramsey's Resignation.
Would Appoint I'll. r. Hilton in
His Place.
HILTON DOESN'T KNOW
Thinks He Will Not Accept the
Position.
Indications That Mr.. Ramsey
May Not Resign.
LILTON DOESN'T KNOW

The rumor of the removal OF Chief of
Police Ramsey published in last Fri
days State Journal was verified
Wednesday afternoon when Mayor Drew
asked Chief Ramsey for his resignation.
In explaining his action this morning
the mayor said: Il have been eontem-
plating this for several weeks, and it
is exactly in line with my statement
last spring in which I said that if the
police did not close the joints and keep
them closed I would make change in
the force. They did very well until
about the first of July, when the joints
sprang up like mushrooms and beer
wagons paraded the streets I have no
titled the police several times and have
finally become convinced that they can
not or will not do their duty. The po-
lice department is not in good shape;
there is haphazard way of doing
business down there that do not like.
I believe Mr.. Ramsey has done his best,
but he seems to lack executive ability,
and there is not the discipline in the
department there should be. MY ac-
tion is taken irrespective OF the police
committee of the council. I have not
heard their report; in fact, they have
made no report
In answer to the question who he
would appoint to fill the vacancy, Mr..
Drew said: II have not offered the ap-
pointment to any one, but will prob
ably appoint H. r. Hilton, If he will
L
but his appointment is urged by the
committee of 200 and the State Tenn
perance league. Other names have
been suggested, but he will be chosen,
providing, of course, he will accept. 1t
is hard matter to get good man for
the place-that is something / have
found out by experience"
The police committee or the councll
is displeased with the action of the
mayor They say that they have made
no report of their investigation, and
that the mayor will find nothing In
their report that would cause the re-
moVal of the chief or any other officer.
The report will be made Saturday af-
ternoon, but it will simply suggest
minor changes in the method of keep
ing accounts. The committee is salts
fled with the work of Chief Ramsey,
and in their report will state that they
found nothing in the investigation
which would cause a shadow on ms
official career. There is also doubt
ir the minds of the committee whether
the mayor can remove the chief OF
police without showing cause and with
out the consent of the council
Chief Ramsey refused to say anything
other than that he had done his best
to discharge the duties of his office IN
a manner that would be satisfactory
to the mayor and to the public.
have done my duty as / saw it, and
have had a great deal to contend with.
1t takes time to work up cases against
the liquor dealers, and the mayor mas
not been content to wait Simply ar
resting them without evidence does no
good"
Friends of Mr. Ramsey are urging him
to withhold his resignation until after
the council meeting next Monday ana
then they hope that the matter may De
fxed in some way. By resigning before
the report of the committee IS MADE
public it gives the appearance thar
something brought out in the 1nvestlga-
ton led to the resignation, and they
saw that there are no grounds whatever
for the action of the mayor. 1t is likely |
that a fight will be made to retain Mr.
Ramsey in his place and his friends nave
been busy all day consulting over the |
matter.
When Mayor Drew was asked what he !
would do in case Chief Ramsey refused |
to hand in his resignation, he said: II
will remove him. l have consulted the |
city attorney and I find have that pow |
err. The council has nothing to do with |
Mr. Hilton said this morning: ST have |
heard that the position of chief OF ponce |
was to be offered to me. but as it has not |
yet been offered,I can hardly say wheth- |
er or not will accept it, If the mayor /
offers me the position | will require sew
sral days to decide before giving my an |
sWer. At present / can not see how /
could do it. There are many others who |
are better fitted for the place than am
would be handicapped by having enc |
mics not only among the jointists, whom
do not fear. but among the politicians. |
In view of this and of the interference
with my business, hardly see how can |
accept the place. ! will not say yes or |
no, however, until it is offered to me-"
In answering the question if he was an /
applicant for the place he said: mo. I /
am not. understand that the commit |
tee of 200 and the State Temperance |
League have urged my appointment be- |
cause they know / am a strong tenn |
perance man and opposed to the joints
and whisky traffic of all kinds They !
probably recommended me because they |
know that I would, if appointed, do all |
in my power to stop the illegal sale of |
LIQUOR
If Mr.. Hilton accepts the appointment |
the mayor says he viii make any |
changes in the force that Mr.. Hilton |
may suggest. Il am aware" said the |
mayor, that one fault in the police de- |
partment has been lack of harmony
among the officers and that can only be |
remedied by changes Any further |
changes, however, will be made by the
recommendation of the chief and not by
me-"
Mr.. Hilton has never had any expert
ence with police work. For several years
he was president of loan company and
is now a clerk to s. S. OFT in the phono-
graph business