The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-09-04
City Council Rebels Against
Mayor Drew's Action.
Members Say They Will Not
Confirm Frank Stahl-
WHY THEY OBJECT.
Say Chief Of Police Should Live
in Topeka.
appointment to Be Formally
Announced Tonight.

Mayor Drew has decided to appoint
Frank Stahl as chief of police. The city
council is in open rebellion and it is evil
dent from the views expressed that Mr..
Stahl can not be confirmed.
Mr. Stahl said yesterday in Garfield
park that he would accept the position
as so many people had urged him to do
50. The mayor was seen this morning. !
but refused to confirm or deny the story
that he would appoint Mr.. Stahl, but
said that he would present name to the
council at the meeting tonight.
The members of the council have lit
tie to say against Mr. Stahl except thar
he is not citizen and on that ground
fight win be made against his appoint
ment.
of the ceuncilnen who were asked
their opinion of the matterA this l molnlhs .les
only one, John Elliott, said that ne
would vote to confirm Mr.. Stahl- MI
Elliott said that the entire responsibility
rested upon the mayor and ne Woulu
vote to sustain any action the mayor
might take
Councilman Snattinger said: II am
unalterably opposed to the appointment
of Mr.. Stahl and will fight his conhrma-
fion to the last I think that it is an
outrage to bring man IN from tne
country to be chief Of police There are
plenty of men who live in town VINO
could fill the place just as well as Mr.
Stahl I know that great pressure mas
been brought to bear upon the mayor ~
certain element, but that makes no
difference. The town can be run py men
who live in it; If it can not then we
should surrender our charter and have
a township trustee to take care OF US
I don't know how any of the other coun-
cilmen feel, but if the mayor appoints
Mr.. Stahl, and they say he WILL VIII 90
an can to defeat him in the council
Mr.. Weber took a similar view OF the
matter. He said: II heard Mr. Stahl
saw that he had finally concluded to ac-
cept the position and can say that ne
won't get it if I have anything TO say IN
the matter. We have about 4O,OV0 peo-
ME in TopeIa and we certainly should
be able to get one capable man out OF
that number It is altogether unneces-
sary to go to the country Tor a man .,,tt -
act as chief of police, for I believe tnat
a man can be selected without CONS
outside of the city limits we VIII pS
the laughing stock of the papers All over
the country If we are compeiieo 70 ~
Councilman CLANCY said in reply to
the question as to whether he DeleFel
the council would confirm MT; stan =. -
hardly know, but do not oelleve III ap-
pointfng any one outside of the city
There are other objections than tnat OF
residence however, and 1t may De tnal
the council viii not agree with the Inay-
or in the matter I do not know posi-
lively that Mr.. Stahls name VIII pc pre-
sented, but it seems to be generally un-
derstood that it will be. II Wouio ~ t
sr1rnrise me in the least if majority
of II the counciImen would vote against
the confirmation
Mr. Roundtree is another councilman
who considers that Mr.. Stahls residence
should bar him from the office Il tninA
that a man who could handle the Dust-
ness in a satisfactory manner can pc Sc
| lected without going to the country 70
| look for him." said Mr.. RoundtLee-
There is certainly plenty OF good tifnDer
| in a city the size Of Topeka from Wnlch
| to choose a successor to Mr.. Ramsey
- T. - ~ tn n
| country for a man. Mr.. Stahl is a good
man and I have heard nothing against
him, but it seems to be the general opln-
/ ion that he should not be CHOSEN
| Councilman Belts is also opposed 10
/ the selection of Mr.. Stahl. He said: Il
| do not think it is right to appoint man
who is not a resident of the city. 1 nave
not heard any other councilman express
and do not know how they are 3ncllneu
/ to look at the matter, but am against
| it and will vote that way If the matter
| comes before the council this evening.
Councilman Hughes said. 1T does not
| look exactly right to me- believe that
a man who lives in the city should re-
ceive the appointment There are pien.y
/ of men in the city who are capable OF
| holding the Office and hardly consider
| it necessary to go beyond the city limits
| for a chief"
! ed to the selection of Mr.. Stahi and VIII
line up with the opposition.
| Mr.. Warner was the only councilman
! approached who did not express an
| opinion of the matter. He said that he
would wait until the matter came be-
| fore the council and would vote as ne
/ thought best at that time.
/ The rejection of Mr.. Stahl produces
peculiar situation and 1t may be that it
/ will result in Chief Of Police Ramsey
holding the position indefinitely. When
| Chief Ramsey resigned, one of the condi-
/ tions was that he would hold the office un-
| til his successor is qualified. If the
mayor and council can not agree CHIEF
Ramsey would continue to hold office
and this is what theso-called" liberal eie-
ment'' most desires.