The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-04-07
NEEDS NO DEPUTY
Therefore Commissioner Will
liams Must Do Without One.
Spent More Money Than Pro-
vided for Last Year.
MEETING ON APRIL 10.
Council VIII Then Hear Com
plants About Pavements.
Trouble With Poultry Associa-
ton About Auditorium.
ON APRIL 10.


work of the office alone, in order to
reimburse the city for the $500 which it
is claimed he exceeded the limit fixed
by law during the fiscal year just
closed.
The effect of the councils action win
be to dismiss John Alexander from the
office of deputy commissioner of cleo
tons, and a consequence will probably
be the adjustment of the local free en-
ployment agency under the manage
ment of Mr.. Williams department.
OF course there was a deal of politi-
cal spite in this action of the council
The council never does a job of har-
pooning like that without it being ap-
parent that the weapon is poisoned
with the malice Of city politics.
In the present instance, it is claimed
that the move to punish Mr.. Williams
originated with Councilman Griley,who
has j score TO settle with Mr. Williams.
1t started when Griley made some
charges of irregularity in Mr. Williams
work as commissioner while the regis
tlation was going on. Williams re-
taliated by threa tening to get out and
fight Griley in the latters race for
councilman from the Second ward
But there are others in the council
as we'll as Mr.. Griley who We're hunt
ing for a good chance to drive a tack
into Williams, and the whole scheme
was well worked up, and successfully
carried out
IL may be that Mayor Parker's move
in leaving the mayors chair early in
the evening to Councilman Bergund-
thai had nothing to do with the scheme,
but it was a remarlza bic coincidence.
/ While Bergundthal was presiding III
Parker's place. he could not vote, and
without him the enemies of Williams
had just CROUCH votes in the council to
do business. Mr.. Parker said he had
to so down to the police station for
few minutes to swear in some officers
/ for election. He left about 9 O'Clock
and did not return at all After Par
/ ker left, the trouble commenced and
Williams got what had been mixed up
for him.
The storm blew up quite suddenly.
and was started by Frank Blanch.
Blanch. Weber. Nichols. Griley Sny-
der and Blossom stayed together in the
deal, and they all were evidently well
prepared for what was coming.
City Clerk Squires also gave evidence
of having posted himself in preparation
for the little game.
Mr. Blanch. when he arose, said that
! he wished to call up certain bills which
had been passed on earlier in the even
ing. He said that these bills werS pre-
scented by the commissioner Of elections
and exceeded the limit which the law
fixed ON how much the commissioner
should spend
spent in Mr. Williams department last
year2" asked Mr.. Blanch Of City Clerk
Squires.
He spent $500" replied Mr.. Squires
promptly
.Wen. if 1 am not mistaken. the law
says he shall not spend more than $50
for clerk hire. This with his salary
would give just $1,000 for his depart
ment. He seems to have run over his
limit by $500
Then there was considerable talk. and
things got into a parliamentary tangle
as to how to reconsider the bills which
had been allowed The people who sid
ed with Blanch did not appear to be es-
( pecially anxious what happened, except
that they wanted a chance to roast
Williams. There was some talk OF
holding up the pay of the clerks whom
Mr.. Williams hired to assist in the reg
istration, but it was pointed out that
I these clerks are being paid under the
new fiscal year, and that the 5000 ex-
cess expenditure occurred under the ifs
cal year just closed Besides, nobody
could see why the clerks should be
made TO suffer.
Councilman Joseph Griley made some
/ remarks. He said he did not see what
authority Mr. Williams had for raising
the pay of his clerks from $3.50 per day
10 - per 0dN, DIS ne lids QOAG lllIo y CcAA-
1T was ascertained that the clerks en-
ployed by Mr.. Williams during the past
few weeks while the registration rush
has been on have received a total of
s254.40. This amount was allowed last
night
AS a finale to the rambling discussion,
/ the following resolution was passed by
a vote OF to ):
Resolved, That the commissioner of
elections be directed to dispense with
the services of the assistant election
| commissioner for at least six months of
the year. commencing May 1. 1905. and
/ that said commissioner be instructed 10
eonfne the expenses of his Office for the
next year to the sum of $1,000
One resolution was introduced COM
manding Mr.. Williams to hold his ex-
penses down to $1.I00, but this was de-
feated as Councilman Weber thought
/ it might cripple the efficiency Of the Of
fice to make such a large cut, and
voted against it.
1t won't be much loss to the people
of the city to have the Office of assist
ant election commissioner abolished. as
he has nothing to do for about eight
months of the year. The only result Of
importance viii be that the Office of
free employment agency at Topeka will
probably have to be abolished. as Mr..
office. as there is no pay attached, and
he may take this way of slapping back
at the council
POULTRY SHOW SQUABBLE.
An effort is being made by the State
Poultry show managers to avoid the
payment of its dues on the rent of the
Auditorium last winter The Show has
never paid the expense of light and
heat, as the council stipulated it should.
Last night the show applied for the use
Of the building from January 10 to IS,
1904. Several councilmen were en-
phatically opposed TO allowing the use
of the building for another show unless
the old score is paid. Others thought
that the building should be given free
: for any state meeting It was claimed
that the show charged admissions and
that the show is injurious TO the build