The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-10-18

DEBATE WAS LIVELY,
Opposition to Summary Action
Refuse to Vote.
Mayor Davis Refuses to Say
What lie VIII DO.

charged Ine resolution employing
such a recommendation was made by
Councilman S. A. sWendson, chairman
Of the investigating committee.
It passed the city council in an
amended form after a stormy session
by a majority of two. The vote stood
as follows;
Ayes-Ceuncilmen simms, Green,
Howe. Sinner, swendsen and Hughes.
Excused from voting-Councilme
Rice, Griley, Ryder, Nipps.
Absent-Councilmen Horn and Hol-
Hday.
In explanation of their request to be
excused from voting the feur council
men stated that their action was
prompted by the belief that the mayor
should be compelled to take the initia-
tive.
The resolution as passed said: BE
it resolved, By this council that we
recommend the immediate removal of
the present chief of police, permanent
~ from such Office"
Il have nothing to say this evening,
said Mayor W. II. Davis when ques-
toned what he would do. f"phis won
alter in the least what have been con-
sidering all along. It will not alter my
intentions at all. No, 1 shant say
what those intentions are. have moth
ing to say whatever.
Chief of Police Goodwin said: 1T
seems to me that the council does not
know the evidence. the investigating
committee heard it and gave me
clean bill, 1t seems to me that the
committee should know more about
this than the council"
Swendson's resolution was a scath-
ing arrangement of Chief Goodwin.
1t threw question marks about his
81 Of nr- a ranfnfRa the finger OF
suspicion at his private life. It lnslnu-
ated that the chief was guilty along
with White. 1t, in additional word
painting, accused him Of being entire
~ incompetent for the position which
he filled And finally it wound up
recommending that the mayor dismiss
A. G. Goodwin from the position OF
chief of police.
The chief was present and listened
as Councilman SwendsOn read his
resolution. Swendson read clearly and
strongly. He emphasized the dark
spots by raising his voice Several
times the councilman looked directly at
Chief Goodwin. phe latter listened with
suppressed excitement and then short
ly afterwards rose and left the council
chamber.
At times the discussion was not far
removed from the edge Of a personal
conflict
When the resolution was finally pass
ed as amended Councilman L, A. Ryder
arose and requested that the stricken
out portion of the resolution be not pub
liShed You make it possible to be-
smircb that mans character by making
it possible to publish this resolution.
move that we ask the press not to pub
lish this. Any man can come in here
with any kind Of paper against a public
official The council can throw it out
bodily but the press can get a hold of
this statement and print IL, sowing
n CT that NOT he fFIlP
but which everlastingly blast the Off
ciaFs reputation
The Discussion Starts.
Mr. Griley: Il have been just waiting
for this. You over there have said 1
was trying to bubble I am willing to
show how I stand on this. I am in
favor of having every word published.
I never voted for that man as chief of
police as you did. You men voted for
him ard got him and 7 hope now that
you win get it and get it good and
hard"
Amy attempt said Swendsen, ITO
muzzle the public press is wrong. This
ought to be published, every word Of
il.
On motion to suppress the vote stood:
Ayes-Councilmen Howe, Sinner, Simms,
Ryder and NiDDs. Noes-Councilnen
Rice. Green, Hughes, SWends0n and
Griley. The motion failed to carry.
There are three applicants for the
place of chief of police. They have not
formally asked for the place owing to
the fact that Goodwin has not yet been
asked to resign, but they are receptive
candidates. Tim Donovan, FORMER chief,
now a Santa F'e detective: John Gar
diner former chief, and at present SER
geant on the force, and J. J. Kinney,
former head of the Santa Fe secret ser
vice, are the candidates.
During the past week the eOuncilmen
Themselves nTiN9fPlV
in favor of Donovan.
The opening Of the evenings festivi-
ties came after the report Of the in
vestigating committee had been received
and on a motion from Councilman Rice
placed on file. Following this Swendson
arose and asked permission to read his
resolution. 1t was granted.
Councilman Nipps: THE council has
nothing to do with this matter and ]
don't see why this resolution should be
introduced"
The resolution has nothing to dc
with the report of the committee, re-
turned Swendson, and only refers to it
in a sew words. This is a resolution
which I introduce as a member of the
council
Have the permission of the
mayor?" inquired Swendson.
You have" replied the mayor
Mr. Mayor. I move that the resolu-
ton be adopted said Swendson.
Councilman Green seconded the mo-
ton
I am going to Dut this motion but
don't believe it's going to do any good
at this time" said the mayor.
This is a matter that concerns the
mayor only" insisted Griley. Il don't
think this matter is ia order altogether
7 was a member of the investigation COM
mittee. The members of the committee
were not all of the same opinion in a
number Of details And I don't see how
the council can act in this when they
don't know about this matter and
haven't heard the evidence. How car
the council be unanimous in this matter
when they don't know anything about
the testimony? I can't understand It