The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-06-20
| PLATES OF LIQUOR
Passed Around at a Banquet
Gov. Morrill, Attended
At LeavenwOrth Labeled "Re-
publican Victory Soup"
THE FACTS RELATED
By Rev. Edwin NJ. Randall Who
is Pastor
Ofthe Observation-Disclosures Church
at LeavenwOrth.
MR.RANDALL'S LETTER
Written to the Daily Estate
Journal
Giving Statements and Some
Strong illustrations.
TemDerate Letter That Doesn't
Ofthe LeadingMethOdist Church
at LeavenWOrth.
MR.RANDALL'S LETTER
Written to the Daily Estate
Journal
Giving Statements and Some
Strong illustrations.
Temperate Letter That Doesn't
Finch From the Truth.

The STATE JOURNAL is in receipt of
communication from Rev. Edwin n. Ran
dali, pastor of the First Methodist church
iu Leavenworth, which contains some in
teresting facts for people who do not un-
derstand the situation at Leavenworth.
Mr.. Randall says:
To the Editor of the STATE JOURNAL:
On account of an extended absence
from home my attention was only recent
ly called to the interview of Governor
Morrill, in the Kansas City Journal of
May 26. The governor therein passes
some structures upon his critics which
merit attention. That a breach should
occur between the governor and the tenn
perance people is most unfortunate.
Surely every patriotic citizen must hope
that it may prove only misunderstand-
ing; ard that, if it should SO prove, each
shall have magnanimIty TO cooperate
without resentment with the other. 1t is
now apparent that only a thorough, can
did, dlspassonate discussion can bring
about such an agreement
In the interview Governor Morrill,
complains of the perversion of his views;
that those who complain of him, includ-
ing the moralists of AtchisOn, Leaven-
worth and Wichita, have not sought him
out with "either complaint counsel or
request" he declares himself in favor of
the enforcement of the prohibitory law
and 'ready to lend the full power of the
state of Kansas to the enforcement of
that and every other law" aud refers in
proof of this to his appointment of COM
missioners for Kansas City, Topeka and
Fort Scott; yet he declares that "the
community in which liquor is sold is
alone responsible"
II Leavenworth, there has been but
one period of attempted enforcement and
then the fight was not to finish, but was
abandoned in the heat of battle. Yet the
law has been enforced here immeasura-
bly, better than now. The temperance
people condemn his appointments as po-
lice commissioners in Atchison, Leaven
worth and Wichita of men known to
oppose the enforcement of prohibition.
The purpose of their appointment
should primarily be to enforce the law
and the strength of their endorsement in
these cities might be a sufficient reason
for not appointing them. In Leaven-
worth, at least, Governor Morrill, is thor
oughly familiar with the city and its cit
izens and could not possibly have made
an unintentional mistake in appointing
men of known drinking habits and per-
sonal opposition to enforcement.
Governor Morrills excuse that the
people are responsible, is not new We
have had officers of all grades who have
utterly failed to enforce prohibition.
This excuse has been their universal cry.
As the recourse of every corrupt or i'm
beetle officer, it has acquired an unfor-
tunate flavor
The temperance people have had ex-
periences with these officers, who gave
outward support with secret betrayal
that reminded one of the death of Uriah.
1t is unpleasant to close hard fight in
this way. They have grown distrustful
about entering a contest, depending upon
an officer whose conduct indicates lack
of moral courage or sympathy with the
cause In the eyes of many, Governor
Morrill, has justified such distrust.
Whisky in Soup Plates.
Immediately after his lection, Leav-
enworth celebrated the victory with a
BANQUET. Governor elect Morrill, and
many state and local politicians were
present Intoxicating liquors were lit
orally "freer than water" With all that
was used, the supply appeared as great
at the close as at the beginning. mix
ture of liquors was made one OF the
courses ana passed in plates as "Repub-
lican Victory Soup"
When a gentleman, then high ju-
dicial officer, stated in a toast that he
liked their way of doing things, that he
believed the people of Leavenworth
capable of running their own affairs, that
if he were governor they should have
the opportunity, that he believed that the
governor elect who sat near would give
them such an administration when he
came to office, the applause made
pande monium.
Why did these people rejoice in Gov
ernor Morrill's election? Why dared they
presume bacchanalian revel would be-
accepted by him? Why should he,elect-
ed and about to swear to uphold and
enforce the law, enter community
where he knew it to be set at defiance and
accept banquet that was an insult to
the people of Kansas, thereby encourag-
ing the nullifiers and law breakersT
Why did he not repudlate the unholy
thing?
Some friends declared he would not
have been present at this banquet had he
foreknown its character. He disapdoint'
ed them in attending another outrage
upon the moral sentiment of the Kansas
-r,ortirrod IN ETifth Para1