The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1881-12-15
MAXINE TT HOT

In another column will be found q
special Topeka telegram to the Chicago
Times, which will, VIC have no doubt,
prove rather interesting reading matter,
especially 10 radical prohibitionists and
their opponents. 1t processes to give
the substance of a proclamation by
Governor st. John, to be promulgated
tomorrow in relation to the enforcement
of the prohibition law. lie proposes to
make it hot for the ViolstOrs of the law.
We have no doubt of the correctness of
what the special relates, as we were told
yesterday by a prominent Topeka gen.
tleman the proclamation was to be is
sued in a day or two. This is very de-
cided step in the aggressive. 1t will no
doubt be sustained by large proper
tion of the temperance people, but
whether it will enlist sufficient follow
ing to make il effective. is a matter to be
tested. Where the money is to come
from to pay the large rewards which 1t
is proposed to offer, we do
not know, as the governor has
no fund at his disposal by Legislative
appropriation for such a purpose. We
are emphatically of the opinion that 80
long as the law remains upon the stat
ute book it should be enforced, and have
no sympathy with those who are at
tempting to trample it under foot. They
are certainly in the wrong. and ought
not TO be encouraged in their course If
the law is a bad one there is IA rightful
and peaceable way TO dispose of it. But
It is fact that no law can be rigidly en-
forced unless backed by the support of
the people, and there is no doubt but
that in the communities where the spec
ial says the proclamation will be made
to apply, to-wit: Topeka, Leavenworth,
Atchison, Wyandotte, Kansas City, Kan
sas, and Dodge City, the public sentiment
is opposed to the enforcement of the law.
Then the question presents ITSELF how
is the proclamation to be enforceds II
the people viii not assist in its enforce
ment there seems to US but one answer.
1t must be done by the use of force.
That will be the logic of the situation
Is the governor, and are the people
ready for thisf If they are not, As
we apprehend is the case, ali
preferring the settlement of the question
by the ballot, then it seems to Us the
proclamation will be indiscreet to say
the least. This question must be set
lied. We have often said there is an
irrepressible conflict between the two
principles, temperance and Intemper.
ance, and one must prevail and the
other die. If the issue must enter oui
elections all right, though we are not in
favor of making temperance a party is
sue. But II it must come TO the poinI
of deciding whether whisky shall
run the country and ruin it
or whether temperance shall have sway
it will not take US long to decide, party
or no party. But We fear, under all the
circumstances, that the proclamation
will have q bad effect-at least 1t would
have been the wiser policy, it strikes us
TO have waited until the people had an
other chance to add the weight of theiI
public verdict to what has been done
It as the governor is reported as saying
In this interview, prohibition is sue
cess, certainly the cause is doing well
enough, and he ought to have been sat
1sted Tor the present with the efficient
work It's friends are doing all over the
state.