People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1894-08-03
DEMOCRATS AND POPULISTs
BEGIN THE FIGHT.
ISSUES OF THE DAY DISCUSSED.
AT Leavenwortn Mr.. Overmyer Said the
Democratic Party Demanded the Re-
peal OF the ProhibitOry Amend
ment and Oppose Woman Suf-
frage-Governor LewellinE
Discusses Populism.

LIZA 'ENhOhid, hdn., July Is
Democrats of Kansas opened their
state campaign mere last night. The
IN ltlal meeting was called to order by
j. L. Garrett, chairman of the county
central committee, introducing as
the chairman of the evening Martin
Smith. The latter introduced Hon.
David Overmver.
Mr.. Overmyer in opening. said he
thought the time in which we live are
too serious in order to be entertaining.
or amusing. He was here as a citizen
OF Kansas to meet his fellow citizens.
who are moved by fear, hope and
expectation that move him. He was
here as representative of the great
political party of the country, that
come into being with the constitu-
ton, which has stood ever since and
will never fall until the constitution
falls. Its longevity, he said, is due to
the fact that it stands by the constitu-
ton. He then briefly referred to
present condition of affairs in the
nation, placing the responsibility
upon the Republican party.
He touched upon the money uues-
ton, and the state control of enter
prises. He wanted to know how
many members are sent to the legis-
lature who know anything about laws
and society. Lewelling, he said, be.
lieved in people buying the railroads.
but didn't say how they should get
them. Mr.. 0vermyer thought if he
and his state officers would return
their passes and pay as he (Overmyer)
does there would be more equity, and
the railroads would have a better
chance to live.
Coming down to the issue in the
state, he said that the Democratic
party of Kansas demands a repeal of
the prohibitory amendment and all
the infamous laws on the statute
books passed in pursuance thereof.
Mr.. Overmyer said Kansas first suf-
fered from ar invasion of missionary
talent, and Inc people were induced
to vote for the amendment which was
adopted by curious provision in the
constitution. No sooner had this been
inserted in the constitution than
a series Of laws followed and
more tyrannical than the other. These
laws deprived the people of self-gov-
eminent. He referred to the Jury
commissioner law, the right of county
attorneys TO summon the citizen to
his office and examine him; upon fail
ure to answer to be held in contempt
OF the police commissioner law. His
reference to this law brought down
the house. He said if the law was such
that it could not be undcne, the sights
already seen would be nothing to
what they would see. Z. erience was
proven that the executiv. consults his
own desires and constructs the boards
so that they would be supple instru-
ment in his hands. Better sink con-
stitutional prohibition ten thousand
times than yield the sacred right of
local self-government. The speaker
thought Kansas was the best adver.
tised state in the union before prohi-
bition came; the evil fame of Kansas in
that respect spread throughout the
world.
On Tie subject of woman suffrage,
Mr.. Overmyer said both Republican
and Populist parties have declared for
woman suffrage, but the Democrats
say no, this is wrong, unnatural aud
abomination. Right-minded women
don't want it. The adventures, bold
and brazen women who want it to dis
play themselves. There are no neces-
sary relations between the ballot box
and the right Of power to be taxed.
II women demand the ballot it implies
we have been unjust to women, and
ask If the citizen was prepared to
vote himself monumental scoundrel,
because that is what he would be if he
has been unjust to woman. He de-
clared that the present electorate
would be unequal suffrage.
Hon. Joseph G. Lowe followed Mr..
Overmyer's speech with closing ad-
dress, -. -, : -. "A.