The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-11-30
COFF IS The Man.
Council Will Recommend Him
For Chief of Police.
Mayor Drew Appears Recon-
ciIed to the Change.

The members of the city council who
are opposed to the appointment of f.
M. Stahl as chief of police have de-
cided that they will take the mayor at
his word and recommend the appoint
ment Of a man for chief of police. They
have decided to suggest the name of
Sergeant Goff to the mayor for chief of
police, and win ask that he make the
appointment
1t is said that not only will the mem
bers of the council who voted against
the confirmation of Mr.. Stahl- ask that
the mayor appoint Mr.. Goff, but num-
Der of the members who did vote for
Stahls confirmation will join in the re-
quest. The idea of the councilmen is
not to cross the mayor in his appoint
i've power, but they want to reach a set
tlement of the question of who shall be
chief of police. In the council meeting
last week when the council refused to
confirm Mr.. Stahl, the mayor said that
he would reappoint him and would con-
tinue to do so until the council would
suggest a better man. 1t was evident
from the vote that the council would
not confirm Mr.. Stahl, and the members
who were opposed to the appointment
set about finding a man whom the
mayor would appoint in his stead. They
finally agreed that Sergeant GOff was
the man.
Mr.. Goff has been on the police force
for some time, and is regarded as one
of the best men who ever served the city
in that capacity. He was appointed
sergeant by Mayor Drew when Sergeant
Belts resigned.
In speaking of the matter this morn
ing Councilman Weber said: ssIt was
evident from the vote in the council at
the last meeting that they would not
confirm Mr.. Stahl and number of the
councilmen at once suggested that it
would be the thing to do to recommend
I'll
police work and who would be accept
able to the business men of the city.
There has been widespread dissatisfac-
t1on over the appointment of Mr. Stanl
because he knows absolutely nothing of
police work, and the extraordinary
number Of robberies in the city since he
has been chief of police shows that the
Office is not being filled by a man who
understands thief taking. / can not say
positively, but 1 am told that all of the
councilmen with but three exceptions
have said that they would be pleased
with the appointment of Sergeant Goff.
The mayor can have no objections to
Mr.. GOff, for he has appointed him ser
geant and has expressed himself as
thinking that Goff was an exceptionally
good officer. There was some talk of
recommending the appointment of Mr..
Gardner to the place, but majority
of the councilmen objected to him. The
name of Mr.. Goff viii probably be pre-
sented to the mayor at the next council
meeting"
Councilman Warner was seen in re-
gard to the matter and he said: Yes,
/ have talked with some of the council
men in regard to the appointment of Mr..
Gof as chief of police and 1 think that
a majority of them favor the appoint
ment The mayor has stated that he
would appoint man in the place of
Mr. Stahl if the council would name a
man who was a better officer, and the
council has decided to take the mayor
at his word. 1 think the appointment
would be a good one as it would stop
any controversy between the mayor and
the council. Mr.. Gon is a good officer
and 1 think the mayor considers him to
be so.''
Councilmen Belts. CLANCY, Snattinger,
Myers, Morgan and Miller also favor the
presentation of the name of Mr.. Gom
to the mayor as it is evident that Mr.
Stahl can not be confirmed. 1t is said
that the only councilmen who have not
been seen in regard to. the recommenda-
tiOn are Hughes and SWensOn and they
will not be consulted in the matter.
Mayor Drew said this morning when
told Of the proposed action of the coun-
cilmen: Il have heard nothing of the
matter and do not care to discuss it,
but will say that Sergeant GOff would
be my choice after Mr.. Stahl. did say
that if the council could recommend a
better man than Mr.. Stahl / would ap-
point him, and 1 stand ready to fulfil
my promise. However, can not say
what l will do in the matter until the
council makes the suggestion. It is too
early to talk of the case as it has not |
been presented to me-"
Sergeant Goff first served on the po-
lice force when the metropolitan law |
was in effect. Prior to that time he
had been in the fire department He was |
removed from the force and was again |
appointed under Chief 1. A. Strauss. Mr.. |
Goff is good officer, He would say |
nothing when asked about the suggest |
ed action of the council-he has a habit |
of saying nothing when it comes to mat
ters relating to the police department.
Marshall's Band.