The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-09-12
REFER 1T TO TIE VOTERS.
From the Atchison Champion.

From the AtchlSon Champion.
No man who has travelled over Kansas
during the past two years with his eyes
open, has failed to note the fact that in
every county within its borders the pro-
h:b;tory law is continually violated more
or less. In many towns and cities the
local authorities are in actual sympathy
with the vendors OF the prohibited art;-
Giles. AS a rule in these localities where
no license could be granted before the
amendment was adopted. no liquors are
sold as beverages, now. In the towns
where the sentiment was then in favor
OF license. il Is. as rule, IN favor OF
a license row, and liquors are sold as
beverages today.
The question is one Of the most serious
import. Under the present system every
county OF ten thousand or more inhabi-
tants furnishes law-breakers, spies. IL
formers and costs for property owners 10
pay. That the sentiment in Kansas IS
very seriously divided every honest citi-
zens admits We believe that the people
of Kansas would cheerfully abide by the
Will of the majority fairly and decisiveiy
expressed The question ought 10 be
taken out of the domain or mere partisan
politics. The matter should be decided
by the voters of each precinct. The en-
tire question should be resubmitted 10 the
people and decided upon its merits The
cause of real temperance and good clti-
zenship has not been advanced by exist
ing conditions.
The Republican party has done all IN
its power TO give the present system lesai
and moral aid, and il has done so In spite
of the open and vicious opposition OF the
political prohibitionists. The Repubi-
flaf Sr~ce n q
the popular will. 1t ought 10 be wise
enough to solve the problem now con-
fronting the people of Kansas by boldly
having the way for a new decision OF
the entire question.
The present system is the parent OF
hypccr;tes innumerable and vexafions
without number. No man has been saved
from the grasp of the drunkard's appe-
tite: no crimes have been lessened; the
burden of taxation has not been Eghtened
under the existing plan. Resubmit the
entire question.
Let each voting precinct decide by Its
own ballot whether there shall be licensed
vendors or absolute prohibition. We De-
Neve in the enforcement OF a law or It's
repeal. The present system is a travesty
upon Justice, political harlotry or when
every law officer with a grain OF con-
science is heartily ashamed. The Cham
MON believes it would be far better TO
undo the present odious ard shiftless sys-
tenn ard enact in its stead a local option
| law that would leave il in the power OF
| the people of the several precincts 10 de-
| eide the matter for thmselvS without be-
| ing made a mere football of the odious
| anti-American metropolitan police system,
which Is no more and no less than part
| of the dishonorable political capital OF the
| party which may happen TO be in control
| of the executive branch of the state gov
| eminent.
The people OF Kansas are thoroughly
! disguised with the shameless hypocrisy oil
] a SYSTEM which says that the man who
| sells a bottle of beer in Concordia or Sa-
| Ira Is a common jail bird while he who
| sells car loads OF liquor in Leavenworth
| Is an honorable citizen and among the
| confidential advisers OF United States
| senator's, governors, attorney generals
| and party leaders.
The question of public morals has been
made a political machine by which men
who are practical drunkards are made
| the conservators of the temperance cause
| The question is one that touches every
| home. Ii must be lifted above the plane
| of dirty partisanship and placed in The
| hands of the citizens of each voting pre-
/ ciuct. That cannot be done under the
/ present system. Let US have a govern
ment Of laws administered for and by the
| people-not a system which Is merely the
| cats paw OF constituencies politicians.