Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1892-01-21
Five Views on Prohibition.


magazine is symposium on 9TH,
Future Relation OF the Republican
Party TO Prohibition In Kansas " 1t
contains the views Of Ave leading re
publicans and Ia interesting as showing
their opinions.
Ex-senator Ingalls, takes the position
that what he calls statutory moral
ity" is Inefficient. He believes that
the republican party has done its full
duty by the cause Of temperance and
says:
prohibition should no longer be
made N political Issue. II Is All inte-
gral part Of the organic law Of the
commonwealth, and M such should be-
left 10 the courts aud the people like
all other questions OF social ethics aud
personal morality"
MsjOr J. X. Hudson, editor Of the
Topeka Capital, refers to history and
notes that:
wherever the law has been enforced
the republican party has maintained
It's supremacy. Where public senti-
ment and political cOwardice have
failed TO support officers In doing their
duty In enforcing the prOhiOitOry law
tie democratic party has made large
gains or secured political control"
Whereas Mr.. Ingalls, refers to Iowa
10 show that prohibition has been too
great burden for the party to
carry. Mr.. Hudson takes the history
OF the same state to show that the
party's cautious handling " the ques
ton and Its temporlzing have caused
It's defeat. lie conc ud,s:
The people Of Kansas have stood
by the courage Of tbs republican party
in driving tbs saloon out Of the Btatr,
and the past policy of the party ON this
question should control II 10 the future
unless the people give some strong
evidence OF desire for a change.
which they have not done up H. this
date"
Sol Miller, editor Of the Troy Chief.
believes In dropping prohibition 40 n
political question aud handling II as a
matter Of ethics. lie gives this testi-
monJ:
"As an individual republican, al
though opposed 10 the adoption OF The
prohibitory amendment TO our sta q
constitution, have siuce changed my
views. with the necessary laws for iia
proper enforcement. As far as can
Judge, this Is the sentiment " u large
majority Of the republicans Of the
state. But believe that the tirle has
come when those laws should be en-
forced as are all other laws In the
statute hook laws aud not as n
political platform.
Col II. W. Lewis, n prominent poll
tician Of Wichita, quotes the history ui
the last campaign to prove that the
people are still pruhlbtionists and
says:
Prohibition after 30 many years oi
| rspousal " the republican party 81
Kansas, has become n part Of It's bone
blood aud tissue. IL can no more be
| eliminated than the silken warp may
cast fl the the golden wUuf III Tie
| regal garment, without Destroying the
whole fabric. But, aside frum mere
policy, the republican party of Kansas
should stand by prohibition because II
IL right and the verdict Of the country
Is In Its favor"
q. s. Finch, editor Of the Lawrence
Journal, pays his respects 10 the third
party prohibitiOuists this wise:
The annals Of history furnish ne
instance 30 black with treason, 81
pregnant with yillaiDous hypocrisy, h,
Uasely deceitful aud sO utterly mex
cusaLle Ms the conduct OF the thlIc
party prohibltiuuisls tow rds the Te
publicans. The cowardly meannes,
and hypocritical treachery displayed
by them In carrying out their schemes
for the destruction OF the only frienC
heir cause ever bad, Is worthy thu
savage instinct OF cannibal IL
| Africa"
lie addS this wholesome advice:
prohibition is strong enough tOstanC
alone. IL needs no aid from any part,
AS a party. Its endorsement as 1
political measure weakens the part!
and injuries prohibition. Let II stanC
as the law Of the state. and not as
partisan measure, and II will be uniyer
sally respected"
The views taken by the writers ar,
indicative OF the feeling Of the repub
lioan leaders in Kansas. The question
Of prohibition ia one that should appea
to all law abiding citizens as matte
Of law. Let the prohibItory law b
enforced as other laws are, withou
questioning It's ACCESSIBILITY, but admit
ting IL