The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-11-28
PROHIBITION IN KANSAS.
Recent Elections Indicate That the
Run Of the Farce l. Ahaut Ended.

Run of the Farce Is About Ended.
Topeka Special TO ST. Louis Republic.
The recent elections in Kansas have
clearly demonstrated that the people have
had enough OF the farce of prohibition.
This is especially true of the Republican
voters of the state. Since 1890. when 25.ooo
Republicans revolted and supported ex-
Gov. Charles Robinson. Democrat, for
governor, the prohibition question has
not entered into the state elections. but
that the question OF a resubmission Of the
prohibitory amendment 10 the constitu-
ton Will be a verv live issue in next years
contest was emphasized in last Tuesdays
local contests.
Prohibition has been on trial in Kansas
for fifteen wears. and among all classes of
voters. with the execution OF a few thou
sand third party prohibitionists, the law
Is recognized as a failure. During all that
time open saloons have run in the Grin
cipal cities of the state. with the single
exception Of Topeka. and that. too, with
the knowledge. and. in many cases, the
connivance. OF the officials. The question
OF ntness for office has not been a consid-
GRAFTON in the nomination OF candidates
for governor. If the man was all right on
prohibition the Republican party would
rally TO his support. To be "al right" on
this question meant that he was 10 be able
to fool the prohibition element and play in
with the LIQUOR interests, and thus ma
nlpuiate and perpetuate a farce which
has made Kansas the laughing stock OF
the nation.
The people OF Kansas have been a long
time finding out that the only benefit that
has been derived from prohibition has ac-
crued to the political prohibitionlsts in
the Republican party. who have worked"
the peonle for their votes through the
churches. and religious socienes and then
soiu them out by standing in with the
liquor interests, permitting open saloons
10 run In many communities and back
door Joints in others. But the farce has
mad its run. and If the sentiments ex-
pressed by many leading Republicans and
democrats or Kansas indicate ANYTHING. II
Is that there will bS a determined effort
next year to submit the prohibitory
amendment TO a vote of the people.
heretofore efforts along this line have
been truitiess because they have been i'm
practical. Republicans have holted the
uchet and voted for opposition candidates
Tor governor as a protest against the hv-
pocrlsy OF the party in power. No effort
mas been made TO elect a legislature that
would vote 10 resubmit the amendment.
That Is the only way by which the oppo-
nents of prohibition can get the matter
before the people. and once before the
people there Is no question as 10 the re-
suit. At the session of the legislature last
winter the POpulist senate declared for a
constitutional convention, but when the
resolution reached the house it was de-
feated by n heavy vote. Naturally the Re-
publican house would oppose It because it
was a Populist measure, but the chief rea-
son that inspired the house to vote it down
was the fear of loss OF representation in
the legislature from the western half OF
the state.
With the present feeling in the state,
there is no doubt that the direct issue
raised in the legislative districts would re-
suit in the election OF a legislature that
would resubmit the prohibitory amend
ment. Ex-Chief Justice Horton says the
people demand another vote on this ques-
ton, and that they are going to have il.
The party that stands in the way Of re-
submission, he says, will suffer. Many
other leading Republicans, who nave here
tofore sustained the law, begin 70 see that
the feeling for resubmisslon is growing,
ard that it is dangerous for the party to
stand in the way of public sentiment.
Gov. Morrill, stated today that the re-
suits OF the recent elections in the cities
is an emphatic declaration for resuemis-
sion. He does not consider the vote in
Kansas for chief justice a test. because
many Republicans who are for resubuis-
sion supported Judge Martin.
David Overmyer, Democratic candidate
for governor last year, said: THE results
indicate what everybody knows. and that
is that the people are tired OF prohibition,
and that they VIII so express themselves
whenever they get an opportunity, with
out being menaced by the party lash. The
strength of prohibition in Kansas has not
been in any great number Of adherents 70
the principle. but in the fear Of the Repuo-
Ucans. not onIv the politicians. but the
rank and file. They have imagined that
the prohibition sentiment was widespread
and deepseated among the people, and
have shaped the party platform TO catch
mat vots-a vote. by the way. that IL not
< 90 strong I'm the whole state