The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1904-03-15

police in St. Louis and Kansas City at the
| primaries:
| DOCKERY'S DEFENSE.
| In spite Of the statement made early in this
| campaign. that 1 would not take any part as
| between the candidates for nominations in my
party. and in spite OF the further fact that it
| is well known that I have not taken ay part
| whatever in these contests. either for State or
| municipal nominations, the Shannon convention.
which nominated Mr.. George NJ. Shelley for
Mayor of Kansas City. Saturday. passed a
resolution declaring me to be wholly respon-
| sble for alleged police outrages upon the
rights Of the people of Kansas City"
| Personally / care nothing for this attack, but
| It is due my party and the people OF the State
that should expose the absolute falsity OF this
unwarranted assault.
For some days prior to the Kansas City pri-
| maries. one Of the Republican papers of that
city was charging that there would be police
interference with the r.=hts Of voters. And this
same paper. fully week before the conven-
tIon. was able in some mysterious way to fore
cast at least one plank Of the platform. char
ging police interference.
II in the primaries held In Kansas City or
St Louis there has been any misconduct or
offensive interference the part OF the police
It has been in violation Of express Instructions
and in violation Of the Instructions OF the Com
missioners themselves.
The Commissioners at Kansas City took the
precaution of having the Chief OF Police
specifically instruct the police force as to the
necessity for a strict and impartial enforce
ment OF the law. and this order made pub
lie prior to the primaries.
The same precautions to insure an honest and
fair primary last Saturday were observed in
reference to the city OF st. Louis.
Several citizens of that city. having expressed
.baT,a hon, alt,
primaries on the 9th instance. I addressed a
letter to Honorable William c. Frye. President
Of the Board OF Police Commissioners which
was read to the board In the presence of the
police Captains the dav prior to the primaries
and orders given by the board to strictly en-
force my Instructions
SuppIementing this letter on tie morning of
sf the DAY & OF me the ST., st. Louis primaries in the abb
caiied up the Acting Chief OF Police Mr..
Il want to call your attention officially. and
positively, to the necessity OF preserving order
at the POLLS this afternoon. The policemen in
ries is 10 observe the law and maintain order
ana no one allowed to intiidate vStsrs arFfsed FTs
man entitled under the law TO vote must havs
tlo in st Louis and nd Kansas ciS sfa easfs ess
les. courts and prosecuting officers. ana 'ur-
t6n az s4eT +, me most vigorous prosecu
there mas been repeating or improper police in
is the Sain in either sg City Or Louis it
TO take prompt legal steps for the punisbmenf
Of the Offenders II any police officer has hean
guilty Of either intmdating voters or willfnIiy
neglectlng his duty, he will be pro1nptiv AZ az
missed from the service. and in this position
an am conh9eht nave the hearty approval Of The
cities. NeSe great
The board. 1t is said. had no definite In
FORMATION to work upon yesterday after
noon, noon, and nd, decided; after the. visit to the
ing at 10 o'clock before beginning the in
nestigstion- ls The Captains. sergeants and |
oIlGeTs Is OF tne districts from which COM |
witnesses. e'
1t VIII be an easy matter for the board |
70 get at the facts. 1t Is believed. as fbe |
Captains will be able to supply the names |
OF az Sergeants and patrolmen who were |
detailed at the polling places where
trouble has been reported. Then, too.
business men who have made the com
plants took the numbers of the stars of
the alleged guilty policemen, and from
these the names viii be easily obtained.