The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-01-27
.STAHL HAS THE NAMES.
VIII Turn List of Jointists and Wit.
nesses Over to Hungate.

County Attorney Otis Hungate recent
ly asked Chief of Police F. NJ. Stahl to
supply him with any names of Topeka
Jointfsts which he desired to have go
before the Shawnee county grand jury
next week, for the violation of tbe nro-
hibitory law.
In response Mr.. Stahl filed with the
county attorney on Thursday afternoon
q list OF So names of persons who had
been convicted in the police court of il
legal liquor selling during his term OF
office.
Mr.. Hungate said that he would pre-
sent the names to the grand iury.' -
sald Cnlef Stahl in talking of the mat
ter. suppose of course that is what
he will do. Further than that I know
nothing about it. I went TO the spec-
ial expense of having printed blanks
made up for this matter Each one of
these men in the list have been con-
victed in the police court since I have
been in office. There may have been
two or three during McCoIIun's time
put the majority We're in my term. On
these blank forms I wrote the names of
the convicted jointist, and beneath that,
the names of all the witnesses in the
cases, with their addresses. In addition
to that I have here a list of 225 names
of drinking men in the city of Topeka
shall s.so give that to Mr.. Hungate
and the grand jury may be able to ex-
tract evidence from those men if it is
desired and needed
do you think" was asked that the
grand jury ought to return Indictments
against the people whose names you
have given Mr.. Hungate?"
Il dO,' replied the chief. I'm fact
cannot see why not. They have been
convicted once Judge Hamilton is a
very careful judge and always gives
the defendant the benefit of the doubt.
He is almost too fair at times, but
guess would be the same way if I
were on the bench. For that reason
cannot see why indictments should not
be returned But then know nothing
names and evidence which he said he
wanted to give to the grand jury next
week and I have supplied them
Naturally County Attorney Otis Hun
gate would say nothing about the mat
ter. His lips, as are those of all con-
nected with the grand jury, are sealed
until indictments are returned. The Ut
most secrecy attends all actions of a
prosecutor, complaining Witness
defendants, or witnesses. being allow
ed to make known anything that may
or is occurring. Therefore it was i'm
possible to get a statement from Mr..
Hungate whether or not he would pre-
sent these names. That they will go be-
fore the jury is however scarcely to be
doubted.
names of convicted jointists against
whom he has evidence already admitted
by a court, is in reality about the best
one he could have made. to get a hear
ing before the grand jury. 1t is usual
ly pretty hard to get a grand jury to
listen to a complaint unless there is
something pretty tangible upon which
to hang an indictment. The neat man
ner in which the chief has prepared his
information is also apt to catch the
eyes of the Jurors, and obtain for him
much quicker audience.
1t would be interesting to print the
list of 225 names of drinking Topeka
men which the chief gave to Mr.. Hun
gate. He refused, however, to give
these to the newspapers, simply saying
No in response to the request, Mr..
Stahl has gathered them in various
ways from the police court docket,
from his policemen, and from personal
observation of people who frequent
inints and hOnze-disnensing drug stores.