The Rogue Marshal of Tacoma
Citizens formally impeach the City Marshal for cozying up to brothel owners and ignoring the law.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
The Marshal or Chief of Police of Tacoma has been impeached for malfeasance in office and will soon be tried by the City Council. The complaint is made by twelve citizens, each of whom declares: I charge that E. O. Palmer has for a long time past habitually neglected and refused to perform his official duties as City Marshal. That the said E. O. Palmer is in collusion with the saloon keepers of this city and neglects to enforce the laws regarding the illegal traffic in spirituous liquors. That the said E. O. Palmer has for a long time past neglected and refused to properly enforce City Ordinance No. 44, entitled 'An ordinance to suppress houses of ill fame.' That he refuses to suppress a certain house of ill fame situated on C street, between Eleventh and Twelfth streets, kept and managed by one Mollie Leaman, in violation of law and good morals. That the said City Marshal has neglected to suppress a certain house of ill fame on D street, between Eleventh and Thirteenth streets, kept and managed by one Anna Walker. That the said E. O. Palmer has neglected to enforce City Ordinance No. 97, 'An ordinance to provide for licensing bar rooms and drinking shops.' That he has neglected to enforce the law regarding bar rooms or drinking shops on Pacific Avenue, kept by one Barry Morgan, and by others without a proper license. In transmitting these papers to the Council, Mayor Jacob Weisbach noted that he has inquired into said charges and found them to be substantiated.
“That the said E. O. Palmer, City Marshal aforesaid, is in collusion with the saloon keepers of this city, and neglects to enforce the laws.”
Public outcry over a law enforcement official's alleged 'collusion' with businesses they are meant to regulate echoes recurring themes in Seattle-area civic history. Even in 1886, the struggle between a growing city's morals ordinances and the reality of its vice economy created deep friction at City Hall.
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