The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-07-19
MRS. STRIKER TALKS.
She Says That a Leading Topeka
Minister
HAS WRITTEN KANSAS MINISTER'S

Her Husbands Educational Instf-
tuition at Great Bend-COmmenrs on
some Recent Incidents.
Mrs. Althea Briggs Stryker passed
through the city yesterday en- route to
Kansas City. A reporter saw her for
short time on the train.
She was in excellent spirits and look
ing charming ina costume which was a
study in black and white. Mrs. Stryker
is noted for her Ioilettes. This dress was
of black duck with white stripes; the
shirt waist was white with black polka
dots and her tie was of black satin. A
becoming black sailor hat with trimming
of black aud white ribbon completed
decidedly chic costume.
HRS. Stryker's clear grey eyes looked
at the reporter through gold-rimmed
glasses, which are recent belonging.
She carried the last number of the
Arena and recognized the reporter with
pleasant smile, and said, 81 see Judge
Cole has been talking to one of you re-
porters about me-"
Yes; how do you enjoy your new role
as an actress?"
"Oh," laughed Mrs. Stryker, "that is
one of the mistakes so often made, and
which l seem to encounter SO easily.
However, if l were an actress, I should
be greatly indebted to Judge Cole for
some free advertising; but the Judge is
evidently laboring under a mistaken i'm
preston. For several years I have had
charge of the elocutionary department
at the Central Normal college at Great
Bend of which my husband is president
1t Is our custom to give the students in
that department some experience in
dramatic work as nothing else develops
at n tai two
good dramas are always included in the
years programme; with the best of these
we sometimes take the class to an ad-
joining town for an evenings entertain
ment We have done that this year as
in former years; that is all"
You and Judge Cole do not seem to
be on friendly terms?" said the reporter
inquiringly.
TT seems he desires to give that i'm
preston though l was not aware of any
unpleasantness.
'Our opinions on nearly all subjects
differ materially, but personally, have
always regarded him as an unusually
pleasant and agreeable gentleman.
perhaps" (meditatively), he remem-
bers favor | did him some years ago,
when | was one of two representatives Of
the W. G. I. T., who compelled him. as
county attorney, 10 enforce the prohibit
tory law evidently against his will
Then your speech here last winter
was not your first work as a temper
ance agitstor?"
"By no means. Faith without works
is dead l believe in the enforcement of
all law, and am especially anxious to see
the prOhIbitory law thoroughly enforced
for once, that Kansas may be able to
know whether it is good or bad, and
then enforce it or abolish it 1t is in
sincerity or cowardice for a state with
the pluck of Kansas to give up with the
plea that the law can't be enforced
Nv by even antiprohibitionists VINO are
honest should be anxious to give the law
fair trial But do you know, 1 am
| hearing every few days, either directly
or indirectly, from the criticisms which
made of hypocritical ministers here last
winter? To use a slang expression,
they're after me.'
"Well weren't you little severe with
| thsm?" asked the reporter
by no means; | did not criticise min
listers as class, but only the hypocrires
and towards who degrade the profession
by being in it, and any one of them who
took offense at what l said only gave
prima face evidence of hypocrisy Moth
ing cuts like the truth, and ministers
whose position demands that they be
aggressive leaders in all questions of
moral reform do not like to have evil
dences of their cowardice or failure ex-
posed; it shocks their sense of propriety.
They want the world to believe them
above reproach, and would gladly, as
they have manifested, annihilate the
woman who dared criticise them"
DO you mean to intimate that they
have been attempting revenge in any
way?"
"Oh, no. Dramatically I would not
think of using so harsh term in refer
ring to them. Oh, no; the dear minis
tiers are simply remembering me in theiI
prayers-and their letters. I hear from
some of your Topeka ministers quite
often.
"Oh, no; they don't write to me-" she
added hastily, at the look of inquiry OF
the reporters face; ''but they write Il
the dear brethren whom they think they
ought to warn of the evil 1 may do
l did not think even your mos
eminent Topeka divine gifted with sucl
depths of human love and charity, unit
l stumbled on to letters and other I'm
mistakable evidence that they have beef
writing throughout the state to othe
ministers, urging them to denounce GU
college in the pulpit as an intideI institu
ton, and all because of my criticism Q
them last winter"
"To whom do you refer as our mos
eminent Topeka divine; which one c
our ministers has wronged you 8
much?"
81 am not making any personal charg,
but I know whereof l speak; and tn
charge against our institution is mos
unwarranted and unjust There is no
and never has been, an infidel in any wa
connected with our school On the COZ
trary, the faculty are all Christians
"Personally, as 1 have said before,
have the greatest respect for genuin
!, Christianity and its ministers hav
, four brothers in the profession, but
: have little use for the pharasaical church
/ ianity which knows not humanity, bl
.. fawns at the feet of wealth and socii
position; which breaches temperance an