The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1880-08-27

itself, in saying that "Goy. John p.
st. John was elected by a majority of
81, S12 over Hon. John r. Goodin, the
largest majority ever given in, Kansas
over Democrat"
The fact that, whereas Martin re-
ceived nearly all the opposition votes
in 1875, that in 1873 they were divided
nearly even between the Democratic
and Greenback candidates, you care
fully suppress, as you do the other inn
pOrtant facts that my majority over all
was is, 519, against majority of only
8, 747 rSt. John over all, or 6,772 less
majority than received
As matter of history as we'll as of
fact, received Sc 40 of all the votes
cast for governor in 1875, whereas Gov.
st. John received but So $40 of the
votes cast for governor in 1873. The
majority in either case was not such
as to justify the claim of friends that
we are the only men in the State safe
for the party to nominate.
Again you say: "Leavenworth Co.,
the home of Gov. Anthony, gave q
majority for the Democratic opponent,
Hon. John A. Martin, OFT, 1l6, whilst
John r. GoOdin carriedit against st.
John by but 81 vOtes."e
This alleged greater popularity of St.
John than myself at my own home,
pointed as it is by a. comparison to my
disadvantage, of relative popularity at
our respective homes forces me to make
wise have been brought to notice.
After my nomination was visited
by representative men, some of them
then, as now. personal friends, who
asked assurance that my official posi-
ton should:not be used to further re-
straining or sumptuary laws. They
asked no public pledge but would ac-
cept private statement made to any
of their number, and would pledge to
protect nae from the least publicity, as
also to secure the vote likely to be al
ienated by reason of my own temper
ance principles.
Ideclined to give the desired assur-
ances, and further told them that even
my personal views of such legislation
could not be impaired, much less pledg-
es made to oppose the will Of the peO-
pie as represented by the legislature,
and that any bill passed by that body
which was within the constitution,
would receive my signature. felt,
and so stated, that it was better to be
defeated: than to receive the office with
any such trammels.
I tried to convince them that such
pledges if made wouldbe of no value
inasmuch as the man who would sac
rifiee his self-respect in the pledge
would not. have the manhood to re-
deem it in the face of opposition. But
they refused to be eomf0rted, and the
result is known.
After the nomination Of Gov. st.
John L could hear the rumbling of a
like political storm, and called his at
tention, to it, only to be assured that
s"the whisky men will not fight me-"
He came to Leavenworth and ad.
dressed an impromptu gathering from
the balcony of the Continental hotel,
and to the surprise of many, introduce
ed the subject of temperance, and
whilst claiming for himself a sympa-
thy with the cause, yet he was not in
favor of extreme laws. He believed
the present laws as stringent in their
restrictive features as could be enforc-
ed.
After the speech Col. M. B: Haas de-
sired for himself and others,a personal
interview, saying he wanted to know
just where Col. st. John stood on the
temperance question:. I introduced
them whereup0n they passed.the SUBJ,
ject Of prohibitorys legislation directly
upon him, as a question of vital con-
Germ, his views upon which they as.
Republicans have right to know.
Col. st. John reiterated what he had
said on the outside and declared him
self exceeding conservative about the
restraining. laws. He declared, the
lBws.then on the statute books Of the
State more stringent than could be en-
forced and his unalterable oppositiin
TO all laws in advance of public judg-
ment and conscience.
After separating I asked Col. Haas
if he was satisfied, he he made reply ;,
Eyes; if st. John is not right for us he
is an awful liar.'
st. John did not, get the votes with
held from me, and this is true history
of the how and wherefore of such get
ting. do not assume that Col. ST.
John was wrong and myself right in
our course, but I do say, that. of all
men, such as you should be the last to
reproach me with the results of my
fidelity as crime, and commend in
st. John as a virtue, his-cOncessiOns.
GEO. T. ANTHONY.
IF Gov. st: John ever did anything
for the temperance cause when he be-