Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1895-08-08
LETTER FROM KANSAS.

WAMEeo, KANSAS, July 80, '95.
One going through Kansas this
summer would not expect that there
was ever a scarcity of rain known to
the people, or that crops ever suffered
from dry weather.
The winter and spring were very
dry, but on Decoration day the "rains
descended, and the foods came" and
there has been an abundance Of rain
ever since. AS a consequence, the
corn is booming, and If nothing un.
expected prevents, and l am at loss
to know what can prevent, Kansas
will astonish the world again, with an
enormous yield; principally Of corn as
there was not more than half a crop
of wheat and Data. But the cornl
hundreds Of square miles Of it in sight,
and growing so fast that it is ques-
ton whether or not it will know when
to stop. 1t may keep on until it be-
comes trees.
There are million and half acres
more than ever before planted to corn,
and the prospects-now almost GER
tainty-is that the average yield per
acre will be greater than ever was
known. AS for the total yield, the
last figures l saw were 400, 100000
bushels, but it is said that the secre-
tary of the state board OF agriculture
has to revise his figures every week
in order to keep up with the enlarged
prospects. 1t is said that he recently
was seen taking "birds eye" view
of the Kansas corn fields, sitting on
the topmost part of tall corn stalk,
but 1t won't do to believe ell one
hears this year, some times a Kansas
man has been known to exaggerate
when he talks "crops."
Just now the principal interest
seems to be the more rigid enforce
ment of the prohibitory law. While
it has been as successful as could be
expected under the circumstances, il
has been openly and persistently VIC
lated in some of the large cities oI
the state Kansas City, Kansas, Wichl
ta, Fort Scott, Leavenworth, Atchi
son and one or two others being es-
pecially conspicuous examples there
of.
1t seems that the cities named above
thought that the law was only fol
small towns and the country, anc
made no attempt to enforce it; they
even went into partnership with th'
liquor men, who paid "fines" amount
ing to a certain sum fixed upon be
fore hand each month. This plan hac
worked so long time that no chang
was looked for and consequently whel
the state authorities informed thes,
cities that the laws of the state mus
be enforced within their limits as vel
as elsewhere great was the surpris'
and indignation of the city authorl-
ties. The mayor of Atchison journ.
eyed to Topeka to convince the gov
ernor that the law could not be en-
forced in that city, because local pub
lie opinion was against it. He failec
in his purpose, for the governor plain
ly gave him to understand that if tn,
city could not enforce the liquor law
that the state would take the matte
in hand. If the present police com
missioners failed to act, that he woult
appoint another board who would d.
their duty. So Atchjson "went dry
The greatest excitement is at Wich
ita, where, 3 few days ago, monste
mass meeting was held, presided owe
by q prominent church member,
protesting against the enforcement o
the law. Think of It'll Four thous-
and people meet and demand by al
most unanimous resolutions, that the,
be allowed 10 mu,lify one o