Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1889-12-12
JUEaB FOSTERS REASONS.

JUElf6 tUSI6H6 66ASUNSs
On November 18th q number of
Topeka citizens sent Hon. c. G. Foster
the following request for statement
of his views on the question of resub-
mitting to a vote of the people the
prohibitory amendment:
TosHon. C. G.. Foster, Topeka. Kan:
We the undersigned republicans and citizens Of
Topeka, fully believing that prohibition has been
detrimental to the hest interests OF our state and
of kansas to seriously consider the advisabihty of
change Of policy, intend organizing q resubmission
dence in your ability and integrity also in your
known loyalty to the best interests of the .epub-
Your Your Views H' touching prohibition and the step we
H. G. LINDSAY, And others.
JUDGE FOSTERS REPLY.
To A. L. Allen. H. C. Lindsay, Frank Herald
and others:
Gentlemen--Your complimentary
address, accompanied with request
for my views on the present status of
prohibition and resubmission came to
hand. I have hesitated whether to
comply or decline. There is spirit of
intolerance abroad towards all senti-
ment adverse to prohibition, and no
one likes to draw on himself personal
abuse or Misrepresentation. If the
fact would be accepted that ninety
nine men out of every hundred are
sincerely in favor of temperance, so
briefly and good government, but hon
estly differ as to the means best adapt
ed to that end, this subject like other
questions of public policy might be
discussed without bitterness or per-
sonalities. When we consider the tidal
wave of literature, judicial, eccle-
siastical and political, cast upon the
country for many years past singing
peans of praise to the glory of prohi-
bition, it would seem to be treason to
investigate the real facts and how
much of truth, and how much of fic-
tion there are in it.
No one can sincerely deny the evil
of intemperance, nor can there be
much said for the saloon, except that
its recognition with proper restraining
legislation may be less harmful to the
habits and morals of the people than a
system that ignores it.
After eight years of constant en-
deavcr, aided by the most extraordi-
nary legislation, it must be admitted
that constitutional prohibition in Kan
sas has failed to accomplish what its
friends promised and expected. The
criminal courts and jails are still open
and full of business and there is no
decrease in the demand for public
service, nor has the system established
itself in the confidence of the people.
We may admit that it has reduced to
a greater or less extent the quality of
liquors consumed in the state. We
must further admit that in some
localities the saloon has been driven
out of existance.
When this has been said, substan-
italy all has been said for prohibition
in Kansas. The habit and appetite
for Intoxicating liquors is as great as
ever they were. It has become for
hidden fruit and thus stimulates the
perversity of human nature to taste it.
In the hotels, on the railway cars,
in business places, the inevitable bot
tie is brought forth with some light
jesting remark. about prohibition.
There is an air of insincerity and hy-
pocracy about the whole business that
must disgust those who support it frem
deep conviction of duty.
For while the saloons all over the
state disappeared as an ostensible busi-
ness, and the traffic found its way into
cellers and back rooms.
The saloon proper gave way to the
''joint" and the restaurant" the bar
tender was jostled off the stage by the
.'bootlegger." OF late, the law fall
ling into disrepute, the disguise has
grown thinner and thinner. In many
places the saloons are permitted to
run on payment of monthly stipend
denominated fines, Or forfeitures. The
last election demonstrated the fact that
the law has less support in the country
than in thetowns.
CRIME NOT DIMINISHED.
1t has been iterated and reiterated
that crime has been deminished. Let
us examine this question and make
comparison between Nebraska, sa-
loon state, and Kansas for the five
years past.
In 1885 Kansas had a population of
!. .26S, ,662, with a PRISON population of
67S. being one to every 1885.
In 1855 Nebraska had a population
of 740. .645, with prison population of
259, being one to every 1850.
In 1888 Kansas had a prison popula-
tion of 89S, increase in three years 215.
In the same year Nebraska had prison
population of 345, increase IS.
In 1889 Kansas has an estimated
population of 100 900, with a prison
population of 86l, being one to every
1900. In Nebraska the estimated
pOpulatiOn for 1880 ia I oAn Onn NTH n