The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-04-08
GLOOM IS THERE.
Policemen Waiting for Turn of the
Wheel.

There is a thick layer of gloom over
the police department today. A number
of policemen who want to stay know
that they cannot without the aid of a
miracle, and they are praying for the
miracle. Certain officers who have been
hanging on by their eyebrows for long
time must undoubtedly suffer removal,
providing the new administration fol-
lows out its policy Of making the force
Of some use to the city. Other police
men, who have been given no promises
of a continued job, are resting easy on
the theory that they are safe because
their records are good.
The gossips have it that one of the
impending changes will be the removal
of one sergeant, and the reduction of
the other to the ranks to make room for
two new sergeants- It is generally be-
lieved that Voiles. Walker Duncan,
Bundy H. D. Smith and three or four
more efficient officers, are sure to be
retained. H. D. Smith, who has held
every position on the force except chief,
will probably be given a plain clothes
Job and one of the present detectives
given the position of jailer now held by
Smith. Smith is good officer, and
would be of more use to the force in an
other position.
e. G. Voiles, who is generally conced-
ed to be the best patrolman on thefOrce,
may have some chance at one of the
sergeant jobs The other is supposed
10 De IIlG property OI d0ly oCAN7s
who resigned his position as under
sheriff yesterday. All these changes are
rumored only on account of the general
efficiency of the men involved. Mayor
Davis has little to say concerning the
denomination and while he has init
mated that he will not leave the hand
ling of the force entirely to the chief,
whoever he may be, has made no prom
ises to any candidates for jobs on the
force. and will work the problem out
10, r1v~
1t is with genuine regret that the pO-
lice force will see Frank NJ. Stahl go
back to the farm. Many of the officers
could not agree with him in all his
views, but they liked him for his fair
ness and honesty.
At roll call last night the chief was
presented with handsome silver
mounted cane, as a token from the force
of policemen, reporters and police at
torneys. The cane was evidently in
tended for an emblem of peace, as it is
not constructed on the rugged, husky
lines of the '1imp-stick'' he has carried
in his official capacity
There is a large bunch of ''askers'
who besiege the mayor continually
There are candidates enough to police
after a fashion, the entire state. Among
the number are several dozen negroes.
The negroes have always had a larger
representation on the police force than
their voting strength warranted.
Judge S. S. Urny took his seat as
police judge this morning, and attend
ed to the little business on hand, which
consisted of fining half a dozen plain
DRINKS w H Ralston appeared as
/ city prosecutor. but was not called upor
! to take hand, as all victims entered a
/ plea of guilty to the charge
mo man is too old to make mistakes
1 said Judge Urmy in discussing his posi-
| ton after court had adjourned, but il
| is my desire to make as few as possible
/ I want to be fair and impartial. and
! have no fads to introduce. Shan make
/ it point to be visible to the naked
! eye most any time during business
/ hours, so that I may be found wher
needed guess that is about all have
to say concerning my position