The Topeka state journal., 1901-07-17
Refuses TO Allow COunciImen to
Discuss Police.
SmOthers Storm or Protests
Against Retention Of Hall.
DOESN'T SOUND WE'LL.
Mayor Not Anxious TO Hear
Ontrages Discussed.
Councilman Troutman Says
That Hall Is to Go.

Mayor Hughes Is trying to earn the
title Of Czar Hughes. He has been tax
ing pointers from Thomas Brackett
Reed.
Last night he tried to buildoze the
council into passing the police court
transcript ordinance. which would have
increased the salary of the police judge
from $50 to about 5000 a month.
He also refused to allow the mem
bers Of the council to express their
opinion in the case of Samuel Hall, the
policeman VINO is being kept on the
police force by Chief Stahl in spite Of
the fact that he is under Indictment
for murder, and has pleaded guilty to
assault.
The counciImen made such disturb
ance at the high handed parliamentary
methods Of Mayor Hughes in the Hall
case that it forced an admission from
Councilman Troutman, of the police
committee, that the committee had
secretly acted in the case and that Hall
would be discharged.
When will that be2 This year?"
asked Councilman Griley, who had in
troduced a resolution demanding that
Hall be put off the force
1t viii be soons" said Mr.. Troutman.
That was as much as he would say.
The resolution which Mr.. Griley in
troduced was as follows:
Whereas, Samuel Hall, member
has been charged and is under indict-
ment in the district court of Shawnee
county for murder alleged to have been
COMPUTED by him while acting as an
officer, and
whereas, Pending said charge and
indictment the said Hall being out on
bond has been retained on the police
force of this city, and
Whereas, The said Hall has since
his said indictment for murder been
charged with a WantOn and unlawful
citizen, to which charge he has plead
Whereas, The said Hall Is believed
to be an arbitrary, tyrannical and dan
gerOuS man. and an improper person
to occupy a position upon the police
whereas, His retention pending an
Indictment against him Tor homicide
is a public scandal and a disgrace to
the city of Topeka
Therefore be it resolved, That the
best interests of the citizens of Topeka
and the protection of the innocent, in
offensive and law abiding citizens. as
well as the good name OF the city, re-
quire that said Hall shall not be per-
mitted to act as an officer of the city
pending said charge OF murder against
him.
And be 1t further resolved, That
Frank StahI chief Of police be and he
is hereby requested to discharge, or at
least to suspend said Hall from mem
bership upon said force until he shall
be tried upon Sd1Q cnarS6 OIL nuTQGI-
While this resolution was being read to
the council significant looks We're ex-
changed between Mayor Hughes ana
Councilman Troutman; They decided that
it would not look well to have the opin-
ions Of councilmen in the case printed in
.sRefer this to the police committee =
said Mayor Hughes as soon as the reading
Of the police committee.
Mr. Mayor" said Councilman Griley,
Il want some action taken on this mat
ter now The people of the city have
been waiting for a long time for some
great deal of indignation is being ex-
pressed that nothing has been done"
This has been referred to the police
committee. Discussion isn't in order in
terrupted Mayor, Hughes
What's that2" exclaimed Councilman
Nichols Cant we discuss this resolu>
ut has been referred to the police COM
mittee. Can't discuss it, gentlemen" re-
torted the mayor He was getting a little
ssBut the police committee has had this
before" replied Councilman Nichols, and
TOO late now to talk; It is in the hands
Councilman Weber then demanded to
know why an opportunity had not been
given for discussion
Nobody wanted to talk, so referred
il to the committee
was the hrst time he had ever done this
while in the mayors throne, and II be-
tokened intense excitement.
II tried to talk on this resolution and
you wouldn't let me-, said Councilman
'.You were too 1ate'' said the car. 1.-The
only way to get that report before tho
meeting is to require the committee to re-
port at the next meeting
Il move that the committee report at
the next meeting said Councilman Mich
OILS. and the motion carried
I'VE will take up this Hinkley
claim" said the czar.
ssWen Mr. Mayor" said Councilman
Warner. IT want to know what sort or
parliamentary rules we are using here
i want to know what authority the mayor
finds for preventing the members Of the
council from discussing this resolution
NO action taken the resolution.
1t was referred to the committee said
the car, as he rolled a second cigarette
AT this stage of the procedure Council
man TrOutman said there was use
scrapping about the matter, as the police
committee has already decided that
Halls head must fall into the basket.