The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-06-17
INIT SALOON LEAGUE
Of Oklahoma County Thinks
Local Officials
ARE NOT UP TO THE MARK
Hence They Invoke the Attor-
ney Generals Services.
ARE MOT UP TO THE MARK

! Guthrie, O. T., June 16.-The Capital
says: Governor c. NJ Barnes was the
recipient of call, just prior tro his de-
parture for the Philadelphia convention,
from Judge ]. L. Brown and Attorney
Thomas G. Chambers of Oklahoma City.
who were here to petition the executive
for an order to Attorney General J. c.
strang to prosecute gambling cases in
that city. which the county attorney, 50
the callers stated, has refused to prose
cute
In cases of this nature the residents
of a county can pass over the head Of
their county attorney and on an order
from the governor can be represented by
the attorney general. This was the wish
Of Messrs Brown and Chambers They
arrived too late, however, for the gov
ernor to examine the papers before his
departure and the matter rests pending
his return, unless it be otherwise dis
posed of during his ten days absence.
Both Judge Brown and Attorney Cham
bers were in the city over yesterday and
in regard to their mission here, Judge
Brown replied as follows to the State
Capital mans query:
"The case in question originated first
among the gambling houses of Oklahoma
City. The two big houses have a monop-
oily of the business and freeze out the les
ser lights. The fight was continued IN
til the latter turned states evidence, re-
ported the gambling conditions existing
in the city to County Attorney Taylor
and offered him the necessary evidence
and asked him to prosecute the gaming
house keepers. Mr.. Taylor refused to
prosecute unless they would put up "a
bond for the costs in the case
THE plaintiffs made up the necessary
bond, presented it to County Attorney
Taylor and again asked him to prose-
cute. He again refused, claiming the
i5ondto be insufficient. The plaintiffs
carried their case before the probate
court, filed their bond for casts. put up
an additional $500 in cash and asked the
court to do something. Again did the
county attorney fatty refuse to prosecute
or to endorse a warrant for the arrest OF
the gamblers.
THE probate judge acted. however, as
the $500 cash was deposited, and issued
warrants for the arrests without the
county attorneys order. The sheriff ar
rested the owners of the two gaming
houses. They found both houses full Of
gaming paraphernalia, in one to the
amount Of about $500: in the other about
$500, consisting of roulette boards, poker
tables, faro banks and other such furni-
ture The sheriffs, however, did not take
possession Of the rooms. nor seize the
furniture but instead left a man in charge
of the business at each place.
ION the next day, Attorney. Fl. B.
MITCHELL who all the time before and
again the next day afterward was acting
as assistant county attorney and appear
ing for the county in other cases, came
before the probate court in the gambling
cases and moved that the cases be
dismissed on the ground that the prose-
cution was being carried on without the
authority of the county attorney and
without his endorsement of the COM
plant This motion was sustained by the
probate court solely on the grounds Of
fered. The parties arrested were dis
charged and persons in charge of their
gambling rooms, turned the rooms back
to the owners, the business being con-
tinued and it is in operation now.
AT this point in the game Attorney
Chambers and 1 came to see Governor
Barnes for an order to secure the attor-
ney generals services in the prosecution
We arrived too late, however. as the gov
ernor was just starting on his trip and
had not the time then TO examine into the
case. So far. of course. we have not Sc
cured the order"
what win be the next step you will
make judge?"
We'll. in my opinion. this will end the
matter. although 1 cannot tell for sure"
viii you take any action against the
county Attorney"
I cannot see just now how we can.
as he seems to have things his way down
there. In my opinion this very act OF his
in regard 70 the gamblers Will re-elect
him. He is a candidate for reelection
and the democrats will reaorninate and
put him in. The league. Of course, Will
work against his nomination and cleo
ton"
Attorney Chambers returned home yes
terdav and Judge Brown remained in the
city to prosecute the liquor case against
Ohio Miller Of Mulhall
Annuity Paw ment.
Pawhuska, o. T., June 16-The next
Usage annuity payment will be made 10