The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-02-23
Safe to Trust an Honest Man for Gov.
ernOT

From the Atchson Champion.
| 1t viii be remembered by most Kansans that
| when Colonel John A. Martins name was
| brought before the public as candidate for
| governor in 1884 the question was raised by the
| ultra prohibition element OF the Republican
| party as TO his position on prohibition. The
colonel had openly opposed the adoption of pro-
| hibition, and from the sincere convictions of
its impracticability. After the passage of the
| law Colonel Martin continued to oppose it for
| the same reasons that led him TO anIagonize
| its adoption. He took no pains to conceal his
| opposition to it, and, until about six months
prior to his nomination. he was outspoken in
his opposition to ii.
Still, while conscientiously opposed to prohi-
bition as a principle. his opposition did not go
so far as to counsel or countenance its violation
He recognized it as one OF the Laws of the state
and, being law-abiding citizen, although OPP
posed to it in principle, he yet wisely refrained
from encouraging its violation. Indeed, Colo
mel Martin was of the conviction up to about
July of 1884 that it would be both wise and fair
if the people wished TO do so, to vote on that
question again. or. in other words, because of
the small majority which carried the law, TO
resubmit the question.
All this was well known. thoroughly under
stood, pending his nomination as governor
Prohibitionists from all parts of the state,
strove hard to induce the colonel to come out
boldly and avow himself as prohi5itionist;
in a number of cases it was stated to him that
his nomination, so far as the prohibition eie-
ment controlled il. was made contingent upon
this avowal, but he frankly and positively de-
clined to do anything of the kind His uniform
reply TO such appeals was; Il can be trusted,
if nominated, not to violate my official oath. "
So things went on; he was nominated practi-
Oal hx-o hfe hpfT he
convention, accepting his nomination, he sub
stantially reiterated the statement above quot
ed-'I can be trusted, if elected, not to violate
my official oath" He was elected by nearly
5000 and kept his word, like the honest man
that he was-he never violated his official oath.
Subsequently, it is true, his convictions on the
question OF prohibition changed radically. and,
before the expiration of his first term, he be-
came a full fiedged prohbitionist.
The point the Champion wishes to make by
thus recting an interesting chapter of Kansas
political history is. THAI it is always safe in
politics as in everything else to implicitly trust
an honest man. no matter what his personal
convictions may be for or against any public
issue.
Colonel Marsh II Murdoch is an honest man.
His integrity is spotless. His honor untarnish-
ed, His word as good as his bond. Whatever
may have been his convictions on prohibition
or any other state issue, or his convictions
now, one thing is absolutely certain that is, If
elected governor of Kansas,he can be trusted
not TO violate his official oath--to do exactly
right, and that is sufficient. No explanation of
his views on prohibition or any other is necess-
airy or in order. And the clamors in certain
quarters that he shall formally declare him
self with reference TO prohibition, are as sense
less as they are unnecessary.
Marsh NJ. Murdock, being an honest man in
every element of his character, can be trusted
as governor of Kansas, to do the square thing
all around. Explanations, pledges, etc, are
not needed beforehand from such man. All
that is required is to trust his unsullied honor.
Nominate him upon such platform as the con
yentiOn may see fit to frame and he will stand
upon it, and to the last, neither by word or act
purjure himself or dishonor the great party
whose worthy representative he is.