The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-05-05
HUNGATE's PROMPT ACTION.

4 Recent developments indicate that
/ Topeka is not to nave a system in which
public officials encourage IaW-breaking.
/ The action of County Attorney Hungate
/ in taking hand in suppressing Illegal
/ liquor selling in Topeka when it was
reported that joints would be allowed
to run openly under the fine system,
puts an end to any such arrangement,
if any were made.
There is no evidence except by infer
ence Of such an arrangement. Neither
the mayor nor the chief of police has
promulgated such plan. It was accord
ingly hardly fair to criticize Mr.. Davis
or Mr.. Goodwin, without giving them a
reasonable and ample opportunity to
take a stand and act upon it. They
have held office but a brief period and
the police force has practically only
within a few days been completely or
ganized.
The people must exercise some degree
of patience and give the present admin
istration credit for two things, namely:
First, that when Mr. Davis took hold
he found the town in very bad shape
with some of the most disreputable
joints and dives running without re-
straint. Second. that the worst places
have already been closed up tight So
far so good. It is better to begin on
the worst. The dirtiest places naturally
need cleaning first.
Nevertheless certain law-breakers
evidently believed that they would not
be disturbed by the new city admin
istration, for the joints lost no time in
coming out openly and above board
Immediately after the new chief of
police was appointed. Appearances
indicated that it was the intention of
the chief to allow the decent joints
to run on the fine system, although
the jointists themselves say they had
no assurance of this.
County Attorney Hungate evidently
does not propose to remain silent and
allow any such arrangement to exist,
or crystalline. Chief Goodwin seems to
have been persuaded to abandon his
reported policy, if he had such, and to
join with the county attorney in en-
forcing the law. There is a great op-
portunity for the new chief to make a
record for himself, not only in the sup
preston of illegal liquor selling, but in
ferreting out and bringing to punish
ment criminals of all kinds. The
State Journal does not believe in spe-
cializing on the prohibitory law, but
It does believe in enforcing that just
as much as any other law. Tt also be-
lieves that a system which allows one
law to be broken with impunity, or
under the protection of the police,
must ultimately lead to disregard for
other laws of a more serious nature.
It is therefore a matter for congrat11-
lation on the part Of the Ia.w-abiding
citizens Of Topeka. that County Attor-
ney Hungate has taken prompt action
in this matter. and it is to be hoped
that Chief Goodwin will make the best
Of his opportunities in enforcing all
laws and suppressing the criminal. no
matter in what form he may appear.
Mayor Davis. up to date, had been in
clined to wait. before expressing his
convictions or policy in handling the
joints, but he must realize that the time
had about arrived for him to state
his position and say what he means
to do. He has stated practically that
he has left the matter with his chief
but he is responsible for his chief and
the public will hold him responsible for
any failure and give him credit for any
success of his appointee.
Today for the first time Mayor Davis
LAeAS AO0AAN MS NOlGG On IuG TnOOL6Q cues
ton. He had said he was going to in
vestigate conditions and would take
some time. He now not only seems
pleased with the action of the county
attorney, but says that it was the re-
suit Of a conference between himself
and Mr.. Hungate.
The conference" said Mayor Davis
this morning, was not recent. but took
place shortly after my enhance into
office"
From the tightening up of matters
generally today and the effective raids
upon the joints by Mayor Davis chief
Of police it may be that the ministers
were a trifie hasty in their determine
ton a few days ago to devote next SIN
day to a general haying of the mayor.
In fact, it looks as though Mr.. Davis
might be commended instead of con-
demned.
The mayor says the recent raids were
not precipitated by the action of the
ministerial union. According to an in
] terview printed elsewhere in this paper
he has been studying the matter. He
says his early conference has brought
/ about the results OF the last few hours
and the outcome was of his own motion
and not based upon anything the min
listers said, or Governor Hoeh said.
At any rate, there seems to be some
/ thing effective doing in the police de-
partment
TIME TO STOP.