People's voice. [volume] (Wellington, Sumner County, Kansas) 1890-1917, 1894-10-11

or any yiOlatOr of the prOhibitOry law.
One solitary complaint has been filed
in police court against a jointist dur
ing H. L. Woods administration.
That one was filed by a citizen and
resulted in a fine Of 800 being paid
into the city treasury. During the
same period ffty-three complaints
have been filed in police court against
individuals for being drunk on the
streets of Wellington. 1t is a grave
crime for farmer or labOrer to ap-
pear on the streets Of Wellington in-
tOXicated, but the man who sells the
drinks is gentleman. Twenty-Seven
complaints have been filed against
parties for gambling, but no effort
has been made to punish the prOprie-
tors of the gambling establishments
Mr.. Woods has stated during the
campaign that no man can state pub
liCly that he is in favor of and will en-
force the prOhibitOry law and be cleo
ted county attorney of Sumner c0uu-
ty. He is receiving the support of
the jOintiSts and their SympathizerS.
Mr.. Woods went to Kansas City
about three years ago and sought out
c. c. Curtis creditors and told them
that Mr.. Curtis was about to fail and
asked for their business. He repre-
Sented TO them that he had The Con-
sOlidated Barbed Wire COmpany's
claim of ST, 900 against CcrtiS for col
lection and that he intended TO force
collection. He stated to the credi-
tors that he was on the ground and
could secure their claims for them.
The creditors declined his offer, but
being alarmed the creditors tele-
graphed Mr.. Curtis to meet them in
Wichita, which he did and there
learned of the kind act of his neigh
Dor. At that time Curtis did not owe
The Consolidated Barbed Wire Co. a
single dollar and Woods did not have
this claim as represented.
Two years ago Mr.. Woods was try
ing to get the republican nomination
for county attorney and was being
fought by W. W. Schwinn, a staunch
republican, and for the purpose Of
quoting Mr.. Schwinn he attempted
to bride him. Mr.. Schwinn fought
Mr.. Woods in the primary to select
delegates to the late county cOnven-
tiOn and gave as his reasons that
Woods was dishonest and corrupt and
if elected and had an opportunity
would throw the Reed case.
Are the jOintistS and gamblers sup
porting a man who has not directly or
indirectly pledged himself not to dis
turb them in their illegal business?
l have great faith in the Judgment
and good sense OF the citizens of Sum-
ner county and ! do not believe the
time has come when a few jOintistf
and gamblers can control the election
in Sumner cSunty. | believe that
every true citizen even though he
doubts the prOpriety Of a law is in
favor Of its enforcement so long as it
remains law. The majesty of the
law must prevail.
If elected county attorney | will do
my duty. will prosecute a county
officer for the violation of the law
Just as quickly as any other criminal.
| will push the cases against default
ing county officers rapidly to a final
termination. | am in favor of the
enforcement and will enforce the pro-
hibiCOry law the same as any other
criminal statute. | shall at all times
bear in mind the burdens of taxation
and only institute criminal proceed
ings when there is sufficient evidence
to secure conviction. A spasmOdic
effort to enforce any Law can avail
but little, but a persistent and COntin-
ued prosecution of the viOlatOrs
backed by the influence and support
of the law-abiding citizens will en-
force respect and obedience to any
law. | shall consider it my duty to
protect the innocent as well as to
prosecute the guilty and if during the
prosecution of any case | am con-
WINGED that the accused is innocent |
shall consider it my duty to stop the
prosecution.
] share with many Others the belief
that many persons are escaping the
payment of taxes. Over one year ago
j. NJ. Harper, a banker of Conway
Springs, was cited to appear before
the board of commissioners to answer
questions concerning his property,
but for reasons best known to the
county attorney and the hoard the
questions have not been asked and the
matter is still pending. If elected /
will do all in my power to compel
every man to pay his proportion of
the taxes.
am under no obligation to any
ring, clique or clan, and if elected
shall carefully guard and protect the
interests of the whole county.
Personally | have no i'll feeling
against any Of the individuals men,
toned in this letter and the criticisms
offered are against them as officers
and candidates for office. / ask the
readers to carefully consider the
above statements and investigate
them and not permit their party pref
ldiceS to prevent them from making
the investigation.
Thanking the many friends for
heir encouragement and support,
Inn, Yours respectfully,
IVAN D. ROGERS.
There is a lawyer at Caldwell who
aid last summer during the strike