The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1889-01-10

4
cessity Of stringent laws to secure pu-
r1ty, honesty and Correctness in the
exercise OF the elective franchise. A. /
free ballot and an honest count WRONGS /
TO one. Every legal voter should be |
protected in the full enjoyment of his |
rights at the ballot-box, and, at the |
same time. no one should be allowed to |
cast vote who has not ali the qualifi- |
cations of legal voter. A Just, wise |
and adequate registry law win secure
these results, and the legislature
should, at its present session, provide
such law.
THE TEMPERANCE LAWS.
There is no longer any Issue or con-
troversy IN Kansas concerning the re-
suits and benefcence of our temper
ance laws. Except in a few of the
larger cities, all hostility to them has
disappeared. For six years. at four
exciting general elections, the ques-
tions involved in the abolition of the
saloon were disturbing and prominent
issues, but at the election held in No
vember last this subject was rarely men,
toned by partisan speakers or newspa-
pers. Public opinion, it is plainly ap-
parent, has undergone marked change
and there aren ow very few citizens of
Kansas who would be willing to return
to the old order of things:
The change of sentiment of this
question is well grounded and natural.
No observing and intelligent ciIizen
has failed to note the bennficent re-
suits already attained. Fully nine
tenths of the drinking and drunken
ness prevalent in Kansas eight years
ago, have been abolished; and l affirm,
with earnestness and emphasis, that
this state is to-day the most temper
ate, orderly, sober communi-
in
lied world. The abolition of the sa-
loon has not only promoted the person
al happiness and general prosperity of
our citizens, but it has enormously
diminished crime; has filed thousands
of homes, where vice and want and
wretchednesS once prevailed, with
peace, plenty and contentment, and
has materially increased the trade and
business of those engaged in the sale of
useful and wholesome articles of mer-
chandise. Notwithstanding the fact
that the population of the state is
steadily increasing, the number of
criminals confined in our penitentiarY
is steadily decreasing. Many of our
jailS are empty, and all show a marked
falling off in the number of prisoners
confined. The dockets of courts are no
longer burdened with long lists of
criminal cases. In the capital dis
of nearly sixty Thousand,
not single criminal case was on the
docket when the present term began.
The business of the police courts of
our larger cities has dWindled to one
fourth of its former proportions, while
in cities of the second and third class
the occupation of police authorities
is practically gone. These suggestive
and convincing facts appeal alike to
Of hn
people. They have reconciled those
who doubted the success and silenced
those who opposed the policy of pro-
hibiting the liquor traffic.
The laws now on our statute books
touching this question need few, if any,
amendments. Fairly and honestly en-
forced, they make it practically impos-
sible for any person to sell intoxicat-
ing liquors, as beverage in any Kan
sas town OF city. What is needed.
therefore, is not more rigorous laws,
but a systematic and sincere enforce
ment of the laws we have. The one
addition l would suggest is
a law providing for the swift
and certain removal and punish
ment of county attorney, sheriffs and
other local judicial officers, who fail or
neglect to discharge their official duties
as directed by law. The attorney gen.
either in the district or supreme
courts proceedings in custer against
any county attorney sheriff or other 10
cal peace officer who neglectS or refuses
to do his duty in enforcing the laws
prohibiting the sale of Intoxicating
liquors: and proof that ''joints" or
other places where intoxicating liquors
are illegally sold, have been permitted
to exist within the jurisdiction of such
of al no 10 inc nd
cient ground for their removal from
Office. With such law to stimulate
them, local officers would do their
whole duty, and wherever and
whenever they do this, the illegal traf-
fic in Intoxicating liquors can well be
suppressed.
connection, to the very full and COM
prehenSive report of the attorney gen.
eraI, whose knowledge of the working
and results of our temperance laws is
drawn from practical experience, and
whose zeal, energy and courage in en-
forcing all laws has been conSpicuOusly
illustrated during his official terms.
THE FORT RILEY MILITARY RESER-
vATION.
The secretary of war has, by
be passed ceIing to the United
States Jurisdiction over the
territory included within the limits of
the Fort Riley Military reservation.
The state ceded such Jurisdiction years
ago over the military reservations at
Forts LeavenWerth and Hays. The
general government is now making eX-
tensive Improvements at Fort Riley,
with view to utilizing it as a school
of instruction for cavalry and artillery.
RENEWED RECOMMENDATIONS.
ronU tho Recommendations am
bodied in previous messages, urging
revision of the laws relating to insur-
ance, public highways, fees of officers,
the mileage system, capital punish
ment, judicial districts and railroads,
and direct your attention. especially.
to the suggestions therein made con-
corning public printing and the man
agement of our state charitable Insti-
buttons. Observations and experience
have only confirmed the opinions al
ready expressed upon all of those sub
jects.
CONCLUSION.
In conclusion, I desiIe to express
my profound gratitude 60 the people of
Kansas, who have not only honored
me with two elections to the highest Of
tice in their gift, but sustained me with
constancy as unfailing as it was gem
erous.
1 wish, also, to acknowledge the
steadfast and helpful support given me
by all the state officers and heads of
departments, during the past four
years. No executive has ever had the
counsel of more competent and faith
full officers.
That Kansas may continue to grow
and prosper; that her citizens may en-
joy, for centuries to come, the bless
Jugs Of wise and just laws, protecting
the rights ane interests of all alike;
and that your labors. gentlemen of the
legislature, may be not only pleasant
to you but beneficial to those you rep
resent, is my fervent hope and prayer.
JOHN Nj. MARTIN.
Executive Office, Topeka, Kansas. jan
uary 8, 1889.
A COldvater Man-P. H. Locke lie Happy.
Mr.. Locke stated: bouoht ticket No