The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-04-21

should be dismissed because there was
no show of convicting Weber. There
was nothing against him but his con-
fession, and Mrs. Ford denied this.
Mr.. Ford did not want to mix up his
wife in the affair."
Chief McCollum told Joseph Reed
that he would TRY to get the costs out
of Weber" 1t was considered possible,
too, that Weber's mother might be in
duced to pay the costs. Mr.. Reed did
not consider, however, that either of
these persons could be depended on,
and he W IS trying to get Ford to pay
the costs so that the prosecution in
volvfng Ford's wife might be dropped.
Here is the chief of police of Topeka
in the position of making an arrest,
and then accepting money from the
mother of the party under arrest to
pay him for getting the man loose.
That is certainly remarkable condi-
tiOn of things 1t may be that there
is no law to prohibit q chief Of police
practicing law at the same time ne is
supposed to be working for the city,
but it is the first time on record that
ANYBODY has been permitted to draw a
salary in that position and at the same
time carry on his accustomed avoca-
ton. Chief McCoilum does not seem
to be able to ind enough to do in the
office of chief of police to keep him
busy, especially when there is money
in sight.
0IcConum as a Booster"
Another instance Of McCoIIum's work
as a booster happened about three
weeks ago, when he secured an attor-
ney for the friends of a plain drunk
young man named Kleasoth was
arrested late one afternoon on the
charge of being drunk. While the ofh-
Ger was taking him to the station from
the corner of Sixth and Kansas ave
nues he asked permission to stop
moment at A. Samuels' clothing store
and see his brother, Fred -Kleasoth, Il
clerk employed by Samuels- He saw
his brother and told him to come down
and get him out, so he would not have
to stay in Jail all night. Fred Klea-
Soth and A. Samuels went down to see
what they could do. They spoke 70
the sergeant in charge and were re-
ferred to the chief. In the chiefs prl-
vate office they said they would put up
a cash bond for the prisoners appear
ance. McCollum told them that 1t
could not be accepted, and that they
would have to get a paper bond And
to do that" he continued, you will
have to employ an attorney. But
what do we want with an attorney
asked Samuels "The man will plead
guilty, and we could get a bond signed
just as well as an attorney could
! No you can't" replied McCollum, you
can either get a lawyer to attend 10
it or he can stay in" After short
parley, Samuels and Kleasoth said that
they would get an attorney Il VIII
get you one" said McCollum, and sent
| after 5. T. Powell. When Powell ar
/ rived at the office he Immediately, upon
hearing what was wanted, told the
/ friends of the prisoner to give him $3.
What is this IS for2" asked sam
/ uels, who was inclined to seek for in
! formation. docs he get out for that
4 He was told that the So was for an at
/ torney fee. But what do you do to
| earn S3?" persisted Samuels. Powell
| turned to McCoIlum and said: "Oh
we'll if they don't want to do business
]
This remark brought the merchant to
| terms, and he agreed to dig up the at
! torney fee. but neither he nor his clerk
| had any change with them. I guess
/ we can trust Samuels till tomorrow,
| can't we2" asked Powell, turning to
! AIcCOllum. 4 guess So, replied Nc
Collum. 'All right then, turn him out. "
/ said Powell, and the prisoner was re-
! leased.
This is the story told by A. Samuels,
/ a resDecta bic merchant. Il cam { un-
derstand it, said Samuels in telling
| the story. "McCOllum said / could
not get a bond for my friends without
! a lawyer. But when 1 did hire a law
yer no bond was made out. This
son. He says, Keep him in, and
they keep the prisoner He says,
| Turn him out and the prisoner is
! released, without any bond whatever"
/ 1t is not necessary for anyone to
/ secure an attorney for the purpose of
giving a bond, but such people as the
clothing merchant and his clerk, who
keep out of trouble and have no
| dealings with the law. are not expect
ed to know their rights in the mat
| ter. The story shows conclusively
| that McCOllum took advantage of
| their ignorance on legal affairs to re-
! lieve them of a small amount. of
which he may or may not have re-
! ceiVed a portion.
/ B. f. Powell is a young attorney
employed in the office of Troutman a.
! stone. Troutman & Stone are the at
/ torneys for McCollum in his libel suit
against the State Journal.