The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-09-05
ALL TORN UP.
Police Sergeant Belts Resigns
When Offered Promotion.
Mayor Drew Requested Him to
Act as Chief.
DONOVAN DECLINES.
Also Refuses to Take PrOffered
Position.
Special officer John Lucas is
Then Named.
GOFF SUCCEEDS BELTS
Patr0lman Promoted to Posi-
tiOn of Sergeant.
StahI to Be Appointed Chief at
End of Thirty Days.

The question of appointing a successor
to Chief of Police Ramsey was settled
this morning for the time being and j.
E. Lucas was appointed by the mayor
to fill the vacancy caused by Mr.. Ram
sey's resignation
Mayor Drew stated Tuesday evening
that he could not appoint Mr.. Stahl
because he was not yet a citizen, but
that he would appoint one of the
sergeants to act as chief until such time
as a regular appointment could be made.
This morning the mayor asked
Sergeant Belts to take the place, but
Mr.. Belts refused and at the same time
handed his resignation as an officer to
the mayor.
The action of Sergeant Belts was a
surprise to the mayor, and when asked
for reason for his action he stated that
he had determined several days ago to
resign. He did not like the idea of act
ing as chief pro tenn He said: Il have
the good will of every officer on the force
and they have mine. also have a warm
regard for Mayor Drew and my resigna-
tion is not due to any action of his"
Sergeant Donovan also refused to act
as chief, and the mayor then decided to
request Officer Lucas to take the place.
Mr.. Lucas was somewhat averse to the
proposition but accepted. The appoint
ment of Mr.. Lucas as chief Of police is
made to read Until further orders.s
Officer c. A. Goff was appointed as
sergeant to take the place made vacant
by the resignation of Sergeant Belts.
The resignation of both Chief Ramsey
and Sergeant Belts made two vacancies
in the force. One will not be filled until
an appointment is made of chief, and
the other was filled this morning by
the appointment of Thomas p. Kelley
as patrOlnan.
Both Mr.. Lucas and Mr.. Goff have
been on the force for years and are ex-
perienced men, Lucas has been doing
special duty since Chief Ramsey was ap-
pointed and has made an efficient Off
Ger. He has been on the force for 10
years, being Off during IeWelhngs s term
as governor, at which time the force
was under metropolitan law, and also
being off during the time that Mr.. Steele
was chief. Sergeant Goff has had
good deal of experience and his promo
ton as sergeant gives general satisfac-
ton. He is cool headed and will make a
good sergeant.
Lucas would act as chief, and replied:
1T is impossible to say. / expect
him to act until a regular chief can be
appointed, and I can not say now just
when that will be-"
1t is evident that there will be a fight
on Mr.. Stahl, even If the mayor does
not present his name until he Is citi-
zen of Topeka. A number of the coun-
cilmen will not agree to the appoint
ment of Mr.. Stahl under any considera-
ton, as they look upon him as an in
truder and think the position should be
given to a man who is and has been a
citizen There may be and probably
are other objections than that Of ctti-
zenship, but none of the councilmen will
say that there are. 1t is probable that
the mayor and council will get to-
gether and consult concerning the mat
ter, and if this is done a peaceful set
tlement will probably be reached.
There is a disposition on the part OF
the councilmen to object to the mayor
acting without consulting them, though
he has the right to do so. They do not
want to make or force an appointment,
but would like to have the privilege Of
making suggestions.
The mayor has said that he would
confer with the council on the point in
volved, and the matter win probably be
settled this week in a harmonious meet
ing