The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-03-09
NJ DAVIS, VICTORN.

The RepuDlcan primary Oh w e0HSS-
day was a surprise even to w H.
Davis most ardent supporters, for
such a decisive victory was entirely
unexpected.
1t would be a serious task to analyze
all the causes leading up to the de-
feat of Mayor Bergundthal for re-
nomination Perhaps the most potent
factor was the administration Of the
police department 1t is conceded
that in most respects Mr.. Bergund-
thai has been a safe, conservative ex-
eeutive He however made the mis-
take of permitting the entire police
administration to be subordinated to
a single idea. The result was such a.
condition of lawIessness as has not
existed in the city for years. Men
have been knocked down and killed
within a block of the police station
and only a stones throw from the
headquarters OF the police man
crazed with drink brutally murdered
his wife. The assassination of de-
fenseless woman in her home brought
no solution from the officers Low
dives in which young girls are lured
to their ruin have sprung up and
have hourished on our main streets
under the eyes of the police
pered in his efforts but every officer
of the law is Criminals do-not enjoy
being caught and it is the official who
can rise superior to every obstacle who
is successful in the suppression of
crime. 1t is a well known fact that
Chief of Police Stahl is not in sym
patty with lawbreakers. He is both
honest and fearless. He has done the
best he could but he has been mis-
cradle failure as a police officer and
the people of Topeka were in meas /
ure justified in holding Mayor Ber- |
guEdthaI responsible.
Topeka does not want open saloons |
but neither does it want to have its
citizens murdered or debauched. This |
question Of the administration of law
is not a one-sided one by any means.
The triumph of Mr. Davis is not a vic
tory for the saloon-it is rather pro-
test against existing conditions and a
powerful tribute to his personal popu-
larity. He received the support Of |
prominent prohibitionists; of thousands
of women who hate the saloon above
everything else. Then let us not have
this talk about wet" victory or
whisky triumph Let it be rather a
victory for the business interests of the
city and for a greater and better To-
pella.
Mr. w. II. Davis, the nominee.
though comparatively a young man
IS one Of the older citizens of Topeka.
He has lived in this city practically
all of his life Starting at the very
bottom Of the ladder he has been
largely instrumental in building up
one of the greatest business houses in
Kansas. He is a man of affairs. a
man with executive ability of high de-
gree combined with energy that rec
ognizes no disappointment. It is rare
indeed that a business man of Mr.
Davis ability and integrity is willing
to subordinate his own interests to
those of the municipality and when
he does there should be no disposition
on the part of the people to prevent
him. It is a great personal triumph
for Mr.. Davis. an endorsement of
which any man might be proud
The vote of the women in this cleo
ton has been a great surprise. 1t in
dicates an independence of thought
with which the mass of the women
voters has not been credited. They
had ideas of their own and they did
not hesitate to express their sentiments
at the ballot box notwithstanding the
that would have led them
III otHSI ulSCIoHS- W ME Mr.. Davis
has not yet been elected. there is very
little doubt that he will be the next
mayor He will have a great prob
lem to master. His will be the first
of the water supply
system under city ownership. He is
lust the man to install a non pa rtisan
business administration of this great
public utility. 1t is safe to say that
Mr.. Davis viii stand for the best in
-erests of the city first and politics
Topeka deserves to be congratulated
on the peoples choice OF a mayor.