The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1895-09-27
IS NO SPOTTER.
Governor Morrill, Washes Els
Hands of the Affair.
GOVERNOR MUST NOT BE BLAMED.
Colonel w. c. Jones Killed In a Runaway
minister L. Found Guilty--Priz~
Fight May Come on in the
Indian Territory.

Topeka, Kas., Sept. "a gentleman
whose good opinion Governor Morrill,
values wrote to him recently, and said
that he had read so much about the en-
forcement Of the prohibitory law in one
| town and its evasion in another that he
had become bewildered, and wanted to
| ask candid question which would re-
ceive a candid answer. The question
was this: Why was the safe attempt
ing to enforce prohibition in Wichita,
and yet making no effort in that diTec-
ton at Leavenworth?
In reply, Governor Morrill, informed
him that, as chief executive of the great
state of Kansas, certain limita lions,
restrictions and modes of procedure
were laid down by the nature of his
office which could not be sacrificed eX-
cept at the expense of good order and
dignity. While the constitution of the
state imposed upon the governor the
duty of seeing that all laws were en-
forced, it did not presume that he should
act either as a private detective or as
prosecuting attorney. AS he interpreted
the law, it became the duty of the gov
ernor to transact the routine business
Of his office at the state house, and
give heed to complaints which might
be made to him by any portion of the
people. The people, through their legis-
lature, had established certain machin-
cry for the enforcement of all law. 1t
was not the duty of the governor of the
state to walk ceaselessly around this
machinery with an oil can in one hand
and a ScOurge in the other. If some
portion of this machinery went wrong,
he, as chief engineer, was entitled to
information about the trouble, brought
to him in regular, specific and au-
thenticated manner. Then, if he failed
to repair the injury, he became at once
to blame, and deserved a rigid holding
to responsibility by the people.
" In the case of Wichita" says the
governor, more than 900 reputable cit
liens came to see me by petition with
complaint that the prohibitory law was
disobeyed. AS is my sworn duty, l
brought the whole power of the state
to bear upon this offense. In the case
of LeaVenwOrth, not one-not even one,
mark you-citizen has come to me with
complaints of the non-enforcement Of
the prohibitory law. What would you
have the governor of Kansas do? Shall
he closes his office in the state house,
go down to Leavenworth and take up
the duties of spoter, chief Of police and
prosecuting attorney? My dear sir,
will you give me the names of three
Leavenworth men who will do better IS
ponce commissioners IMAM lue pleSSul
board? Do you know of any temper
ance people down there who are dissat-
isfied with the way things are going?
One Of the chief officers of the Kansas
temperance union went down to Leav-
enworth. investigated the situation, and
made a report to me in writing that
nothing was to be done there in the
way of better enforcement of the law.
Am 1 expected to step in where the
state temperance union can suggest
nothing which it wants at my hands?
Now, my dear sir, 1 wish simply to
say one thing in conclusion. So far as
it be within my feeble power this ad-
ministration shall stand for the en-
forcement of all law. 1t is my dearest
wish to go out of the Office of governor
of Kansas with the record of having
at least attempted to do my duty, but
must protest again and again that the
governor of any state is but an infini-
tesimal portion of a great machine, and
upon his shoulders should not be
thrown the blame which properly rests
upon those of otehr officers and the
people,