The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1888-03-22

that the prohibitory law is rigidly en-
forced in Kansas, no candid man can
deny. We need not appeal to the evil
deDces of our senses; or that of friends
of prohibition. The reports of Demo-
cratic officials, and the statements of
liquor dealers in our neighboring state
of Missouri, ought to be conclusive
with all who yield to the force of truth
and statistics.
n. T. Acres, United States revenue
collector for the state of Kansas, in
his official report, makes this state
ment:
"Value of beer stamps issued Dec.
1856, Sl.029 OF; value of stamps Dec.
1887, S777.00.: value of spirit stamps
issued Dec. 1856, 1882 80; value of
spirit stamps issued Dec. 1887 ,s9OS. co."
Mr.. Acres concludes his report by
the statement that the total decrease
in the sale of stamps for the year 1887,
! is SOL .ZIl over 1000.
II is impossible to contribute this
great decline in the sale of revenue
stamps to anything else than the effect
of the prOhibitory law, and the rigor
with when it is enforced. Turn now
TO the annual report of the wholesale
LIQUOR dealers of Kansas City. January
1st, 1888.
We are told that they have with
draw. their travelling men from Kan
sas within the last six months, and
that they are making no effort what
ever to do business in that state
This of course is on account of the ell
forcement of the prOhibitOry law, which
has been more vigorous during the last
year than ever before"
The druggists of Kansas City also
furnish their annual report, evidence
not lesss conclusive. Thus: THE
Iigid enforcement of the Kansas pro-
hibitory law has produced a welcome
effect on The drug trade in Kansas, IL
that it has driven from the business
the liquor dealers, who sought to carry
on their business under the guise OF
druggists"
Ii the prohibitionists-largely drawn
from The Republicans-will thoroughly
ponder over these facts, they will inc
much to give them reason to pause
If they are earnest men, deeply inter
ested in promoting the cause of temper
ance and morality-of which we have NJ
duubt-they will discover that they have
been rather too fast; than that the Re
publicans have been too slow.
Added to all this from all unfriendly
sources, we may refer to the report OF
} Attorney General Bradford, who says
THAT no criminal law on the statute
book is so universally obeyed, or d!
strictly enforced as the prohibition!
laws. and that convictions are more
sure to follow than in any other crimi
nal trials"
Gov. Martin, whose duty it is to ''set
that the laws are faithfully enforced,
saws i'm a recent letter, THAT not al
open saloon now exists in Kansas, anC
from official records and from his OWL
observation. he is justified in saying
that not one-tenth of the liquor is now
drank in The state, as was drank before
the passage of the prohibitOry law"
Surely such evidence as this ought tC
be absolutely conclusive, to all friends
of temperance that the Republican
party is not only true TO its pledges ii
the enforcement of the law, but has ex,
hibited degree of courage and persist,
ence in the discharge of its obligations
to society seldom witnessed. We
might well ask and we know 1t would
be difficult to give a rational reason.
why it is that earnest. Zralous RepUb-
licanS, now Third party men, continue
their hostility to an organization, that
not only has the power, but what is
better, the will to eXtripate the gigan-
tic evil of intemperance from the land.
Il Mcpherson Freemen.