The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-11-04
1T is DROPPED.
Council Won't Investigate the
Charge Against Mayor.
Judiciary Committee Makes a
Formal Report.
NO CONTEST is MADE.
Evident That Purpose Was
Purely Political.
City Council Does a Great Deal
of Business.
NO CONTEST is MADE.

All the talk Of ousting Mayor Parker
from office, most of which has been
purely political bumcomb. was silenced
last night by the council, which voted
unanimously to drop the charges which
were preferred against him by Council
man Swendson. This action was taken
on the recommendation of the judiciary
committee, composed Of Councllmen
Howe, Blanch and Bergundthal.
The Swendson resolution. which was
introduced some time ago, cited to the
council the numerous charges which had
been made against Mayor Parker con-
corning his wide open policy, and de-
manded that an investigation be made
by the judiciary committee. The report
of the judiciary committee is Somewhat
tardys but It confirms the statement
made by the State Journal at the time,
namely. that the charges were made
merely for political capital The COM
plete report Of the judiciary committee,
which was unanimously adopted by the
council, is as follows:
Your judiciary committee, to whom
was referred the attached resolution,
which directs an Investigation of GER
tain charges made against the admins
tration Of the police department of the
city. submits the following report:
THE intent of the author of the reSo-
luton. as it seems to your committee.
was to endeavor to develop through an
investigation to be conducted by the
committee such a state of facts as might
justify an attempt to legally coerce GER
tain OIuCeGS OF the city 10 a
of their lawful duty as regards the ad-
miniStra ton of city affairs In any
effort which would afford a remedy for
the violations of law now so VIGOROUSLY
prevalent in the city. your committee
would most earnestly cooperate, but
after a careful consideration of the SUBJ
ject the committee does not believe that
any good would result from the proposed
investigation. The authority of the com
mittee to compel the attendance of wiz
nesses and the giving of testimony is in
doubt, and as the evidence desired would
be mostly that which would have to be
obtained from witnesses, who would teS
tify unwillingly if at all, the committee
cannot see the expediency Of consuming
time and of expanding the city's funds
upon an investigation which would in all
proba bility be fruitless. Even should an
investigation disclose a state of facts
which would likely bring a remedy in
court it has already been officially an
nOunced by the attorney general of the
state that owing to the laws delays no
such remedy could be had before the re-
tirement from office of the persons of
whose actions there is seemingly great
cause for complaint
The mayor is the responsible head of
the police department. He alone has
authority to direct the policy of the ad-
ministration.
If an illegal policy be adopted the
one remedy is by appeal to the courts
but this it appears cannot be awaited of
within the remaining time of the pres
ent mayors incumbency- The only
other remedy is one to be obtained by
voters at the spring election.
SAMUEL T. HOWE.