Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1905-10-05
THOSE CUSTER SUITS
Grounds lyon Which Attorney Cen
egaI Coleman Brings Action.
OPENS Law EyTORCEIEIS FIGHT.


Topeka, Kan, Sept 2s.-Impeach-
ment proceedings against W. W. Rose,
mayor Of Kansas City, Kan. and Jas.
8. Gibson, county attorney OF Wyan-
dotte county, were instituted In the
supreme court by Attodney General
Coleman late Tuesday evening. II the
state wins the cases both oficaals Will
be ousted from of1ca. The suits are
based on allegations that tho defend
ant officials have refused 70 90 their
duties in connection with the enforce
ment Of the psohibitory and anu-gam-
bling laws and have connived with w
o,ators OF the laws Of the state the
otlolals practically guaranteeing im-
mnnity from punishment 70 totntists
and gamblers.
A third suit, asks that the city Of
Kansas City be deprived Of its oorpoT-
ate powers because OF the acton u
the regularly elected and qualified on
fcers Of that city in practically NULL
flying the prhibitory laws Of Kansas
Attorney General Coleman alleges that
there are more than $50 places IN Kan
sas City where the prohibitory law Is
openly violated, within the knowledge
Of the offlcers and to the great scandal
of the entire state
Tho suits are to be prosecuted under
the direction OF Gov. Hoch and mark
the beginning Of what 10 generally be-
lLeved will be the fiercest crusade for
the enforcement Of the prohibitory law
that has been waged In Kansas since
the administration Of Gov. st. John,
The action Of Gov. Hoch has been
prompted by the receipt Of petitions
from all over the state signed by thou
sands of citizens who believe in law en-
forcement People close TO the govern
or say that he has determined to order
similar proceedings IN every city and
county where no deems positive action
necessary TO compel the local officers
to discharge their sworn dutioR
Kansas City was probably selected
as the starting place because Of the
disgracefM conditions that have pro
vailed there since the beginning Of
Mayor Roses administration as mayor.
Although Kansas City has never been
regarded as q "dry town" and the pro
hibitory law hes been disregarded In
Wyandotte county almost since the
first day after IT'S enactment, conditions
have been worse since Gov. Folk
started his law enforcement crusade in
Missouri. Citizens Of Kansas City who
have been Indifferent to the enforce
ment OF the phohibitory law previously
have been stirred TO action and nu-
merous complaints have been made to
Gov, Hoch recently by men who have
ordinarily trained with the liberal"
crowd.
As one Of the grounds Of action
against Mr.. Gibson, the county attoF-
ney, It IL specifically alleged that he 40
cepted bride Of IS a month from each
"joint" keeper. Also that he collected
fees In prosecuted cases which he did
not turn into the county treasury.
Regarding Mayor Rose. the attorney
general says that he (RoseI unlawfully
licensed the Joints and that he has
taken no steps 10 close these places. al
though during every day Of his ofhctal
life he has been IN full sight and view
Of dozens and scores Of places where
Intoxicating Liquors were openly and
notoriously sold and bartered, contrary
to the laws Of the state"
The attorney general declares that
Kansas City. Kan, has Get a ''scan-
dalous example" TO the rest Of the
state In fact bis petition In the
suit to deprive Kansas city. Kan. Of
It's cororpate powers leads the reader
to believe that he regards the city as
a modern Sodom and Gomorrah.