The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-03-27
PaoHlsrrlon.

latary.
The following has been issued by the Elk
scutive Committee of the State Temperance
Union:
From the day the Kansas State Teinperauce
that foretold the ultimate extinction OF Kan
sas dramshOps, ii became the target for the
hostile arrows of the whisky interests of the
State. Its financial integrity was wickedly
assailed, its political policy Was madiy de
claimed against, and its officers and members
wantonly illuminated without reserve, by
the liquor leagues and their individual allies
These insnuations and calumnies emanat
ing from our natural antagonists, were
taken as indubitable proof that the Union
wss accomplishing its work. The "galled
Jade" was wincing, and these attacks came
from retreating adversary. These ISLANDERS,
as the natural result of successful temper
anee work, carried with them their own
reputation. The more vehement and afro
thu proof that the Unions influence was felt
oy our common enemy. But AFTER two years
OF harmonious work, filled only with the
spsehdors of successive victories, a porten-
tious crisis came. The Union was asssiled
not only by its inyeterate foe, but by a fac
ton of its own followers. The malign oppo-
sition of the whisky influence of the State
strengthened our cause and unified temper
ance workers. The line dividing the friends
AMI enemies of prohibition was the only dis
1nst 1s this faction sp for the Rsss
boldly assailed the business management
OF the Union, and with q degree
of fervor worthy better and wiser
cause, have attacked its political policy.
They have not only impugned the Judgment
but the motives of the officers of the Union,
who have worked side by side with them
from the inception of the contest in this
State. They handy asperities with as much
freedom and apparent satisfaction as though
they were still fighting the old enemy. While
these attacks we're the product of the guilty
nrHlaKnlanRn n a Sa Inn t1nxr lol
no reply, but when they are made in the
name of prohibition they ought to be respect
fully and logically refuted.
The published statements and reports of
the Union ought to have settled all contro-
Tersy long ago. but for some inscrutable de-
sign the war on the organization continues
First-It has been charged that the funds
OF the Union have been improvidently ex-
pended, and culpably diverted from their
legitimate channels of disbursement. The
receipts of the Union from its re-organiza-
ton, January 10. 1883, including the amount
then IN the treasury, to the date of the last
annual meeting, November 10, 1881, were 3d.
4i3.22, which has been disbursed in four de-
partments of work.
First-For the expense connected with
maintaining the Office at headquarters. in
Guiding expenses of committee meetings,
office work, rent, fuel, light postage ex-
pressage, Secretary's salary, and all incl
ing to S2.f2l as the total cost of keeping the
machinery OF the Union in operation for two
years.
Second-The sum of S2,1s3 was expended
for literature. The literature distributed by
the Union without a cents cost to those who
received it. would have cost at reta the
sum of $500. Through this department the
people of the State have been given free of
cost, tthe Union even paying postage and
expire So chargesl. an average of $3.50 worth
of standard literature every month. That this
literature has had potential influence upon
the temperance sentiment of the State will
hardly be contrOvcrted.
Thiru-The local aid extended and the liti-
CATION carried on and assisted by the Union
in various parts of the State involved an
outlay of $3U4. In this way twenty-five per
cent. of the Unions funds was sent back to
the people, and was expended under the direc-
ton and control of local comm tees.
Through this department of work the
saloons were driven from many of the towns
of the State. Add this item to that expended
for literature. and it will be seenthat $5.S77 or
forty per cent of the gross receipts was re-
turned by the Union to the people who con-
Fourth-The Union had one lecturer and
organizer employed, during the entire time,
and about eight months of the time had
two, besides employing some fifteen others
to do specific work. The salaries of these
lecturers. their railroad fare, hotel bills and
incidental expenses amounted to $5,475.
over $50 lectures and nearly $50 county and
township organizations were formed A
constant method,cal agitation was kept up,
u
resulted in the most majestic temperance
sentiment ever known in any State. This
item of expense has been sneered at by q
gentleman whose terms for lectures are pub
liciy known to be $50 night, and whose ex-
pense account, according to the published
statement of the chairman of his committee,
was SS5 for less than forty days. At this
turers would aggregate sI7,OOO We do not
question the accuracy nor business of this
expense, but simply refer to it by way of
contrast: For the amount we expended he
would deliver 100 lectures. The Union gave
the people more than three times that many
lectures, besides leaving many organizations
that are perpetual lecture and literary bu-
reaus, doing valiant service for the cause.
In handling this $4,000 the committee has
doubtless made some mistakes, but when we
are able to show that forty per cent. of the
gross receipts so was returned to the people in
cent. expended in field work, in Or
ganization and agitation, and only twenty
per cent. expended in maintaining the
of the organization, paying rent,
ONCE expenses and Secretary's salary, we
feel that the Union is entitled to the respect
and confidence of every one who desires the
of every person who is working for the
demolition of the liquor traffic.
IL is not practicable to even enumerate the
many advance movements made under the
guidance, and as the result of the Unions
efforts. 1t was of inestimable value to our
cause to demonstrate by the judicial deter
of the highest courts in the State
and Nation, that a County Attorney who cor
ruptly shields violators of the law, must
retire from the Office in disgrace. The State
derded by some who should befriend it,
redemption of the city of Topeka from
whisky rule, largely through the work of the
Union. was an example full of useful lessons
to faithless city governments. and the
decision of the Supreme Court of the State
holding that the subterfuges under which
our cities Indirectly licensed the traffic
could not be tolerated was q consummation
who are now SsWaiiine The futi,ity Of f" the
Unions efforts. The two years history of
the State Union is crowded full of successive
steps in the direction of successful and abso- |
lutte prohibition.
Second-The political attitude of the Union |
has been the fruitful theme upon which ora |
tors, renowned and obscure. papers. metro |
and hypocritical, have dwelt with peculiar !
lelight. The Executive Committee has no |
apology to make for the political course of |
he Union The Onion in the last campaign, |
not in q cladestine manner, but openly, pub |
icly and aggressively adhered to the Repub- |
lean party as the intrepid defender and fear |
ess ally of our cause. II stood by the Re-
publican party, because that party stood by |
Prohibition in Kansas. 1t |
fought the Democratic party because that |
party fought Constitutional Prohibition in |
Union is looking after Constitutional Prohi- |
,ition in Kansas, and is not yet ready To en- |
arge the boundaries OF its jurisd ction. We
Iave plenty to do at home What it did politi- |
ally was intended to subserve the cause of /
Prohibition. Already the |
course pursued has received its overwhelm-
ng vindication. George W. Click. the Her
Jules Of the whisky power in Kansas, no |
onger disgraces the chief executive Office of |
he State. We have an invincible majority
n the Legislature. Re-submission was de-
Gated by decisive vote. Amendments
o the prohibitory law have been en-
Lcted by vote of fOur to one |
hat will make IT in our Judgment, the most
PRACTICAL and effective law ever known in
he history Of prohibitory legislation. Sup
'ose the Union had followed the leadership