The Topeka state journal., 1902-12-31
Plan Is to Make Police Judges
Elective.
Believed That This Will Be
Done Before Spring.
BIRD, CITY ATTORNEY.
Believed He Will Go Into Race
Against Spencer.
Salary May Be Increased From
$1,000 to So, 200.

Under the proposed city charter act,
which is Likely to become a law before
the April city election. the position of
police judge will be an elective office.
The city charter act also provides that
the maximum salary of the police judg.
shall be 81 200 instead of $500 as at
present.
When these facts become generally
known, there will likely be quite a
scramble for the Office. Quite number
of attorneys would find the position
very congenial, as affording an assured
income without requiring them to ab-
sent themselves from their Offices but a
short time each day. c. A. Magaw, the
present incumbent, would no doubt en-
ter the lists as a candidate, but as he is
far from satisfactory to the prohibition
people, he would have opposition. The
tight for the position OF police judge
would be as fierce as the fight for
mayor, as far as the issues are con-
cerned, for unless the mayor and police
judge are in harmony, one can largely
offset the efforts of the other to accom-
plish any desired policy concerning the
management CT the joints. Il would
therefore be necessary for one faction to
control both offices.
At present, the laws provide that the
police judge shall be appointed by the
mayor.
The new charter act also makes a
radical change in the method of ap-
pointing the assistant city attorney, as
sistant city engineer and assistant city
clerk.
At present the mayor makes all of
these appointments and if the mayor is
not on friendly terms with the attor-
ney and clerk, both of whom are cleo
tive offices, he is able to force the clerk
and attorney to accept an assistant
wholly out of sympathy with the head
nj he dkara1 1r~frY aar7f
templates that the heads of the three
departments shall be directly RESPONSE
BILE for the appointment of their assist
ants.
power, but provides that they shall, by and
with the consent of the mayor and coun-
gives shem the absolute authority to re-
move their assistants whenever they see
fit. The last provision puts into their hsn1s
a check on the selection of an unsatisfac-
tory incumbent for the job of assistant,
while the former provision enables the
mayor and council to block the appoint
ment of a person who is for any reason
believed to be unsuitable
There is also provision in the charter
act raising the maximum salary to be paid
the city attorney from $1,2OO to $1,000 per
annIm. The council has the authority to
fix the salary wherever it pleases under
that maximum.
This brings up the question who will be
candidate for the job of city attorney. So
far there have been only two names men
toned, namely: Charles F. Spencer, the
present city attorney, and w. A. 5. Bird
who for six years prior to Mr.. Spencer
served in that capacity.
Mr.. Spencer has had only one term and
under ordinary circumstances would get
another term without opposition But it
is claimed that there is some dissatisfac-
tion with his work. The prohibition peo-
pie, who indorsed him in the former cam
paign are displeased with his management
of the liquor cases. However, Mr. Spencer
would be a strong candidate, and when
asked today whether or not he would ask
for second term, he said:
II have not had time to think about that
much. but 1 suppose I will be candi-
date"
Mr. Bird is non-committal as 70 what he
will do. He has many friends who are
urging him to get into the race. He said
today:
IF there is a general sentiment in favor
of a change and if there seems to be a
good chance for me to win. I might be
Inclined to be a candidate. But if it IS to
be a scramble for the position, / don t
want anything to do with it
Charles Miller is a new candidate who
has sprung up for the office of clerk of
the city court. He is the son of Fred Mil
Ter, an old citizen of Topeka.