The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1881-12-15
THE TEMPERANCE PROCLA
NATION

Lawrence Journal: The proclama-
ton issued by Governor st. John, de-
signed to enforce the prohibitory law at
certain points where il has been notori-
ously set ut defiance, will create no little
excitement along the line upon which it
is desigRed to operate. 1t will be de-
nounced as CeSarism in one quarter and
hailed as a help in another. The law
yers will fight over it and the ministers
will pray over it. Aud amid a great
deal of pickering some real good will no
doubt come out OF 1t.
Ought the governor to have recourse
to such measures The Leayenworth
Standard says there Is "coherency and
logic in the move. He could hardly
do less, and be consistent with his
record and position" And this seems a
very candid statement of the case.
Whatever may be the general opinion of
the advisability OF the law, it is to be re-
membered that it is not before US now for
adoption but for enforcement. All the
proceedings by which il became q law are
of the most open and republican charac-
ter. Opposed at every stage Of its pro-
gress by combinations bent upon its de-
feat, II has everywhere asserted itself as
the voice of the people, and every prin-
ciple of law and justice call for its re
spect and obedience.
The governor of the state is by the
constitution "the supreme executive
power of the state and he is charged
with seeing "that the laws are faithfully
executed" What the opinions of Gov
crnor st. John may be has nothing to do
with the duty which he owes to the peo-
pie of this state in carrying out its laws.
II governor may slight a law
so emphatically engrafted upon
our constitution, and so unmistakably
affirmed by our legislative and ju.icial
tribunals, he may disregard every duty
which is imposed upon him by his
Office and his oath. With the policy of
issuing the proclamation we have
nothing to do. The measure is not one
Of policy but of principle. And every
good citizen is interested in seeing it
carried out.
The Standard says: Perhaps the
worst feature of this move is that it will
raise up a class of professional spies and
inFormcrs, if not actual perurers, en-
ticed to these pursuits by the liberal re-
wards offered therefor. 1t will naturally
breed nest of vipers who will thus seek
to live by dragging their neighbors into
the courts on charges of violation of the
prohibition law and by collision in false
swearing secure conviction without ref
erence to the fact of violation"
The Standard has very refined idea
of the evils which may grow out of the
attempt to enforce the law. lis sensibili-
ties do not seem to have been offended
by the violation of law. The ease with
which individuals could swear they
drank sea-foam, and tea and coffee,
when they knew they were drinking
beer or whisky; the recklessness with
which a man could disregard his oath
while serving as juror, were triffling Of
lenses compared with the new crime
which would be instituted by the re-
ward offered in the governors procla-
nation. professional spies and ill.,
formers" such as the detective service
is composed of, for instance, Is class
of men for whom the Standard has no
bowels of compassion, when they arc
in favor of u proper observance of law.
"PeEjurers" and "vipers" are they who
would from the incentive of reward
make an effort at securing the impeach.
ment of an officer who would not hon.
estly do his whole duty. The fact is
the Standard does not like the law, and
does not want it observed, and denounces
every effort that is made in the direction
of its enforcement.
AS regards the payment of claims foI
rewards, the governor has only the pow
of approving them, and presenting then
to the legislature with rccommenda
ton of an appropriation for their pay
ment. There is no fund at his dispose
out of which they will be paid. We thinl
the Topeka Capital is right in believing
that all scuh claims will be paid, anC
that the people of Kansas will elect ,
Legislature that will not repudiate a deb
incurred "for the purpose of enforcin,
law and maintaining the peace and Sc
curity of society"