The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-09-21

or "a for clerical work. Must be a good
penman. Steady position. Address S. S. S.
Journal.
against him. 1 was out of the city at
the time the matter came up and have
me by Chief Eaton, Mr.. Horn and Mr..
Jenkens. I understand that many of
the older officers on the force have It
in for Chief Eaton for various causes
l wish to say in this connection that
it appears to me that the main cause
for this action is the fact that the
chief enforces a very strict discipline
in the department Now he is acting
under my direct orders in this matter
of discipline. 1 believe that the police
department, which is semimilitary in
its nature, should be subject to semi
military discipline. The more thorough
and business like the methods en-
ployed the better, and the discipline
should be rigid. I may be egotistical,
but 1 cannot help but believe that we
have the best police department at this
time in point of effective and efficient
service that we have ever had. To-
peka had more police on the pay roll
when 1t was a city of $4,000 than it has
today with nearly $4,000 population. L
regard Chief Eaton as good officer,
efficient and honest, and clean in his
private and public life
In justice to ex-Sergeant Jenkens it
should be stated that during his eight
cen years service on the force he has
always borne the character Of a most
excellent officer and enjoyed good
reputation as private citizen. His
police record is something to be proud
Of The old timers still tell of his cool
ness and bravery in discharge of peril
Gus duty, one occasion in particular
when he arrested a desperate. charac-
ter with his bare hands after being
shot in the shoulder standing out in
relief. He has "a most of warm per-
sonal friends among the best and most
prominent men of oar city who still
believe firmly in his innocence of this
charge brought against him by negro
street walkers. Nearly all the old and
the very best men on the police force
stand by Jenkens in this matter and
refuse to believe the charge against
him. Said one of these officers, a man
without reproach in his private life: Il
have known Maurice JenkenS for many
years and worked with him on the
force and made trips to Kansas City
with him, and I have always regarded
him as a clean man, even better than
the average citizen in his talk and
acts 1 do not believe these charges
against him."
Patrolman Duncan, who was dis
charged from the force Saturday with
out given cause, also stands by Jen-
he saw him the night in question sew
eral times and talked with him, and
that he was not under the influence of
liquor.
Duncan said: ct believe was dis
charged solely because 1T was known
that my evidence in the investigation
to come off tonight would be favorable
to Jenkins"
Neither Chief Eaton or Mayor Green
gave any cause today for the discharge
of Duncan.
1t is unfortunate that there should
be faction in the police force, and it
is hard to believe the truth of such
unspeakable charges against an old
and respected citizen and official. They
do not appear reasonable, and the
character of the witnesses against him
is very bad. On the other hand. if the
charges are true, there was nothing to
do but discharge the officer in ques-
ton. Chief Eaton has, according to
the best evidence at hand, made a
good chief of police on the whole. And
while making mistakes from inexperi-
ence, 1t can not be denied that he is
energetic and honest in discharge Of
his duty and employs discipline and
businesslike methods at all times. He
has some fine men on his force and it
is a pity that he can not get along
with them. The chief has made many
enemies since taking his oath of office
and has been accused of being dis
ing the duties of his ONCE. 1t is al
legged that he is incompetent and lacks
tact and that he has exceeded his
powers in some cases and butted into
the affairs of other officers over whom
he had no jurisdiction. 1t seems that
Jenkens is more popular in police cir
cles and has more friends than the
chief. But up to this time there is no
direct evidence at hand to show that
w r. Eaton has not always been
hard working, painstaking, honest Off
ciaI. and that he has accomplished eff
fective work in the enforcement of the
prohfbitorv law and Kidding the city
of crime and criminals. His methods
and discipline have accomplished
marked results this year.
The council will thrash the whole
affair out tonight and it Is hoped will
settle if for good. 1t is reported that
serious charges will be made against
Eaton as we'll Jenkins. and that the
latter has friends on the council who
will stand by him. The vileness of the
charges, the good record and charac-
fer of the accused and the bad char
acter of the witnesses for the prosecu-
ton all go to make the trial tonight
one of interest to the city at large.
1t has also been reported that all
notice officers who testify favorably to
Jenkins tonight will be discharged.
Tt is to be hoped that there is no
foundation for this rumor.