The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-03-07
STAHL won II.
His SpOtter Bills Receive o. K.
of the Council.
Minority Report Of Committee
is Voted Down.
STREET HEARD FROM.
Asks That City Take Charge of
Plant at Once.
Mr.. Spencer Says City win Be
Ready Soon.
STREET HEARD FROM.

IO0NJ QUILL
The fight which was precipitated
over the final disposition of the Stahl
''spotter'' bills at the council meeting
Monday evening failed to come up to
the advance notices which had been
spread broadcast. The fight greatly
to the surprise of a majority Of the
members of the council and those citi-
gems who were present resulted very
tamely indeed and lacked any species
of ginger.
Stahl was granted the authority by
the action of the council to present
his customary monthly "spotter' bills
and in any manner he saw fit The
personality of Stahl himself won the
day. 1t was that factor which pro-
tected itself most prominently into the
consideration which the majority
members of the council gave to the
presentation of the bill In way the
personality of Chief of Police Stahl
appears to bear more weight with the
majority of the members of the city
council than the legal technicalities at
issue
The question of allowing the bills
came about midway in the business of
the evening As there was great
mass of detail work of a routine char
acter this might have had some effect
in spelling the pugnacious feeling
which was so evident for the past
week
The February bill for "spotter''
service presented at that session of the
council and turned down pending a
report of the judiciary committee was
the origin Of the first passage of arms
with regard to this matter. AS the
result of this committee meeting,
COuncilmen Howe and Green signed
a majority report asking that the bill
be allowed, while Councilman Holli-
day held against the same. At the
session of the council last evening a
motion was made to adopt the ma
Jority report This was quickly fol-
lowed by a accommodation in the form
of a substitute by Holiday asking the
adoption of the minority report In
making this motion Councilman Hol-
hday stated his reason for preparing
a minority report. He said: Il have
the greatest respect and admiration
for Chief Stahl. but at the same time
1 don't think that this council has the
right to pass a bill which is illegal in
Its nature have fought and would
fight against the payment of a small
Dill in any other department which is
presented in an irregular manner"
Councilman Ryder arose and said: |
Il am not in favor of adopting either
OF these two reports. don't feel that /
they fit the need of the situation. I /
am in favor of turning back this bill /
to Chief Stahl and asking him to |
draw I'D the bill in a LEGAL manner |
and return it back to the city coun-
Gill;
Councilman Hughes then arose in
behalf of the payment of the bill and
made characteristic speech, saying: |
- am IN favor of paying that bill. r
am not in favor of turning it back to
Chief Stahl as is suggested by Coun-
Gilman Griley. I don't think we ought
TO decker with it in this manner. The
object of the detective work of the
nj - II
MY OF the secret service and to pub
lish the mans name on the bill would
destroy its effectiveness
Councilman Swendson made brief
Hment
A vote was then called for upon the
amendment to the substitute motion
which Councilman Ryder had made. on
putting the question the following voted
IN 1aVor: kutz, Griley. Rice. Neil, Holli- /
day and Ryder with Green Howe Nellis
Swendson, Hughes and Sinner voting
against The motion was lost.
A vote was then taken on the adop-
ton OF the minority report Councilmen |
Griley Holiday and Rice voted ave
and Councilman Hughes, Howe, Neil. /
Green. Ryder, Kutz, Swendson. NeUfs
and Sinner voted nay
The motion to accept the majority re-
port of the judiciary committee was
then voted upon, seven of the council |
men voting in favor while the same !
three councilmen who voted in favor of /
the minority report held against the |
majority report
Councilman Ryder then moved that /
the portion of the majority report read |
Ing. We recommend that this bill shall /
be paid" should be stricken out.
Councilman Green said in reply to |
this, I don't see what can be the gen |
ueman's object. We have just finished |
passing upon this and to strike ont |
those words would leave the report a |
mere she'll I thought we had settled
this by vote"
Councilman Ryder: II don't think the
city council can afford to take this step /
You are taking this step because of !
your veneration and regard of Chief of /
Police Stahl but what would be YOUR /
attitude in case of a different man in /
that Officer I am opposed to the claim /
and shall never vote for it,
Councilman Green: IF the gentlemen /
who are opposing this will induce their /
friends to obey the law we probably /