The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-02-14
FOR HUMANITY.
Mayor Billiard Explains His Acts to
Rev. Zimmerman.

Mayor ]. B. Billiard this morning is
sued a statement answering the
charges of John d. Zimmerman, the
Topeka pastor, who accused the mayor
of having signed bond for the keeper
Of a disorderly house. In his Sunday
sermon Mr. Zimmerman declared that
the mayor was the ally of jointists,
Mr.. Billiard demanded proof, the pastor
changed his phraseology. substituting
the words keeper of disorderly house"
for jointist and the war was on.
Mayor Billiard answers the charge this
morning, explains the situation fully,
and requests that Mr.. Zimmerman
bring out his proof in full and cease
making slanderous insinuations. The
statement follows:
THE Rev. John D. Zimmerman in
admitting that his statement charg-
ing me with signing a jointist's bond
was not true, now changes his
'phraseology' to keeper of disorderly
house. I presume he has reference to
the bond of a poor woman I signed
about two and one-half years ago and
which fact was used against me in the
campaign two years ago.
IT admit that L did sign the bond
of a woman who had been convicted
in police court of keeping a disorderly
house. I was present at the trial,
heard all the evidence from which 1
was satisfied that she was not guilty
a mistake. The only evidence against
her was some neighborhood gossip and
the fact that she occupied a house that
had formerly been a disorderly house.
I had never seen the woman before;
she had a little girl about IL years old;
had none of the usual appearance of
women that keep such houses, but
seemed to be a poor, honest, working
woman. She was without money to
pay her fine and without friends to go
on her bond. I could not see her go
to Jail, her character and that Of her
little girl ruined so I went on her bond
and also on that of several men who
were charged with being found in her
house, some of whom were regular
roomers who had occupied rooms there
from six months to a year. I did this
to give them all an opportunity to
prove their innocence. I made no Or
der or request to have their cases dis
missed. 1 afterwards talked the matter
over with the city attorney and he
told me that he had no evidence on
which he could convict them in the
district court, or would even make a
fair showing for a trial, that the cases
would have to be dismissed at the cost
of the city as soon as they reached
there or would be thrown out by the
court. Consequently, he recommended
that the cases be dismissed and not
even certified to the district court.
NOnC0THlIlS the Gusts
man said the city paid, I will say
there are no costs in police court cases
except witness mees and if I remember
correctly, there were no witness fees
claimed or allowed in this case and
the city paid no costs. I am not
ashamed of having signed those bonds
nor anything in connection with them.
would do the same thing again under
similar circumstances, and if the Rev.
John D. Zimmerman were a sincere
Christian or true disciple of Christ,
he would approve of such course in
stead of mudrahng the matter to make
political capital against me. -<
Il do not know TO what other cases
the reverend has reference to that
came up on appeal from police court
without the name of the bondsman
being given but if he means to in
sinuate that L was the bondsman on
any other case or cases, will say that
he is again telling a falsehood and L
advise him to again change his
phraseology.'
IF he knows of any other court rec
ords relating to my official actions,
hope he will bring them out in full and
not merely make slanderous insinua-
tons.