The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-02-19
BEGIN At ONCE.
Council to Investigate the Nc
Farland Charges.
The Sessions VIII Be Commenced
Tonight.
HAD A LIVELY TIME.
Mayor Parker and Mr.. Swendson
Become Excited.
Preacher Files Specific AlIega-
lions With Council.

IN the words of old John Bunyan
the city council is very much tumbled
up and down in it's mind about this
Mcfarland investigation.
By a vote of 9 to 3, the council de-
cided last night to investigate the
charges made by DR. Mcfarland
against the police department in his
sermon of January IL The council
also heard read and ordered placed on
file new draft of the charges, pre-
pared by DR.. Mcfarland. This much
can og into the agreed statement of
facts. But from here on the council
men switch off in about a dozen diff
ferent directions.
VIII the council take up the pulpit
editorial as the basis of the investiga-
tions, or will it turn to the new charges
filed last night? Will witnesses be
subpoenaed as at a legal trial? viii
testimony be taken under oath? Can
witnesses be compelled to testify? Will
court rules of evidence apply? Will
Mayor Parker sit as judge advocate,
or will it be w. S. Bergundthal, presi-
dent Of the counciI2
Mayor Parker says 1.-THE pulpit
editorial of DR.. Mcfarland viii be the
charges which viii be considered by
the council. No other charges will be
considered. That is what the council
voted to do"
Joseph Griley, chairman of the police
committee, says. We will consider
both the pulpit editorial and the new
charges. Both viii be before US. Testi-
mony will be taken under oath. It
would not be worth anything If it was
not. Nothing viii be admitted except
evidence which would be considered
good in court"
City Attorney Spencer says: This
except what is given by statute. 1t
can not compel attendance of wit
nesses. tt can not take testimony I'M
der oath. / don't know whether I viii
take any part in the investigation, as
an attorney, but expect to attend
S. A. SWendsOn, the leader of the
Mcfarland faction, says: i am
anxious for an investigation, but /
don't know how we will proceed to get
the evidence unless we act solely upon
the charges which have been filed with
the council. These pulpit editorial
charges have never been fled
The disagreement over the McFar-
land matter came to an issue early in
the evening. One of the first papers
which City Clerk Squires read was the
report of the police committee on its
investigation held Tuesday night, which
was printed in full in Wednesday even
ing's State Journal. AS soon as this
report was read, Councilman Griley
moved that the council meet Thursday
night to take up the charges.
Councilman Swendson. speaking on
this motion, said that there are no for
NAL charges against any one and that
no individuals are accused
y think we ought to have an investi-
cation" said Mayor Parker. We viii
waive all these technicalities. This
reverend gentleman ougt to come be
fore Us and tell what he knows.
There will be some charges here at
the time Of the investigation, said
Councilman Weber
These charges were a pulpit editorial,
put down in black and white and fur
nished to the newspapers" said the
mayor.
Il understand there are some charges
on file" said Councilman Howe. Let's
hear them read"
Councilman Swendson insisted that
no investigation could be held until
specific charges are filed. He urged that
there are no charges on file.
This hiding behind technicalities, -
said Mayor Parker, is unfair and un-
just
I am not hiding behind technicali-
ties" retorted Mr.. Swendson hOtly.
"Then waive your technicalities. eX-
claimed the mayor. 4 am one of these
low down dirty curs' that wants an in
vestigation-"
we don't know what the charges
are" shouted Mr.. SwendsOn.
"They are known from Maine to Cali
fo,.pi. and from Minnesota IN EE1orida'