The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-12-27
EX. GOV. ST. JOHN AGAINST IT.
Has No Good Words for State Dispensary


Has No Good Words for aState Dispensary
System.
Ex-Governor John P St. John arrived
in Topeka last night and will speak at
Hamilton hall tonight. A JOURNAL re-
porter found the ex-governor in the
lobby at the National.
Yes, l have heard what Governor
Morrill, said about the state dispensary,"
said he in reply to a question. 81 can
not say that l am very much surprised.
It is the policy of his party to overthrow
prohibition and they can do it in no bet
ter way. The liquor men will take any
thing in Kansas TO get prohibition out of
the way and when they get the dispen-
sary system tits only step further until
they again hold full sway"
The grey eyes of the Prohibition
leader sparkled with suppressed excite
ment as he talked. "Oh, what a fraud
this dispensary business is" he con-
tluued. sit is the worst delusion in the
world. 1t is a snare by which it is hoped
the people will be entrapped."
"Then you think that the state control
of the liquor business would not be satis-
factory?"
"Of course not. The idea of making
the state a partner in dealing out liquid
damnation. The saloon keeper would
be an officer of the state and hold COM
mission from Governor Morrill," and
Governor ST. John gave little laugh as
If he could conceive Of nothing more
ridiculous
Then, too, the saloons would be under
the control of dispensary commissioner
and that commissioner would be Gov
ernor Morrill, himself l wonder how
Governor Morrill, would appreciate be-
ing held up in that light But as
far as Governor Morrill, is concerned, 1
believe that he is prohibitionist way
down here" and Governor ST. John tap
ped his breast with his foreinger. He
is, however, politician, and he is trying
to get into harmony with his party. It
will never do to have a Prohibition Re-
publican party in Kansas and a whisky
Republican party in Missouri. That is
why he is taking this stand. It is be-
cause he is politician before every
thing else.
"Now 1 want to make Governor Nor
rill proposition. l am going to speak
at Hamilton Hall tonight and ] will di-
vide time with him on this question.
What is more i will give him two
thirds of the time and allow him to open
and close. too. know this thing is a
fraud and l am willing to discuss it with
| Governor Morrill,
81 intend to nave something to say
about Governor MorrilPs stand anyhow,
and l will divide time with any other
reputable gentleman on this question Of
state dispensaries. As many as want to
ask questions will be answered. l had
hoped that something would come up to
give NE an opportunity to talk on some
particular line aud behold it appeared
[ intend to confne myself to the situation
| in Kansas and jingoism."
Governor St john dropped his head
| and studied a moment and then changed
the subject.
This country is making a great fuss
now" said he, "about little strip oi
| ground in Venezuela. Why Great Brit
ian has been gaining a foothold in ouI
country for twenty years until now wher
we are really under the control of the
English just as much as if we were {
part of that dominion. Nothing was
said while all this was going or
here at home but now the country is go
ing wild just because of this little strip
of ground in Venezuela and people ara
applauding jingoism- All this war talk
| is foolishness."