The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-12-23
CLERGY PROTEST.
Topeka Ministers Not Yet ST.
fenced on Prohibition.
They Adopt an Address at the
Meeting
OF HETR MON
]F THEIR UNION
This Morning Calling the Gov
ernOr's Attention
To the Violation Of the Law in
Kansas Towns.

The members of the Topeka Minister
ial union sent some hot shot after Gov
ernor Morrill, as Christmas present this
morning when the following resolution
was adopted by unanimous vote.
The prohibition question had been dis
cussed in several previous meetings of
the union and Rev. Charles II. Sheldon
was appointed a committee to prepare
resolution covering the sentiment of the
Topeka preachers on the subject.
Mr.. Sheldon presented his report this
morning, and when it was adopted it
was agreed that copy of it shall be pre-
sented to Governor Morrill,
The following is what the union
adopted: "The present condition of
affairs respecting the prohibitory laws of
Kansas seems to call for strong and
unmistakable utterance and action on the
part of all true citizens. Reliable reports
from various parts of the state show that
a serious and alarming rebellion against
the law is Increasing. Leading cltl-
zens, active business men, editors
of daily papers members of churches
and officers sworn to enforce the law are
reported as in sympathy with the whisky
men and practically giving them all pos
sible encouragement in their defiance of
the statute.
ESPECIALLY is this true in the cities of
Atchison and Leavenworth, where, if we
may trust the evidence of good men who
oug ht to know whereof they speak, the
| police commissioners, sworn to do
their duty as officers, are in sympathy
with lawlessness and have helped rather
than hindered the sale of liquor in those
| localities.
"These facts make it necessary for all
Christian men and women who believe
in law and its enforcement TO declare
! their convictions.
1--WE feel that we are acting not in
spirit of interference in a matter which
| is not of our business, but in spirit of
love for the state in which we have'our
| citizenship aud our homes, when we call
/ on the Christian chufeh regardless of
| denominations, and upon all citizens re-
Rardes of political parry to demand that
an ho16at attempt be made by those in
authority to enforce the prohi-
bitory law. We feel that we have
a right as body of christian
men and pastors of churches to ask
that the governor of the state appoint
men for police commissioners Ia the
cities where the law is openly defed
who will make a determined and honest
effort to bring the law breakers
| 10 trial or if after sufficient
time it is clear that such officers have no
intention of doing their duty, we feel
that we have a right TO ask that new
commissioners be appointed until men
! are found who will do as they have
sworn to do
I'VE feel Just cause for alarm at the
IawIessness which ne believe is iucreas-
ing in the cities mentioned above we
do not believe that the passing of these
or any other resolutions or sentiments re-
| garding the insolent and contemptu-
Gus defiance Of our laws by the
whisky power will command any respect
OF excite any fear on the part of those
who sympathIze with lawlessness unless
We urge in our churches and through all
| other avenues of which this minis-
| terial union is but one, the need at
the present time of uniting all loyal citi-
zens and true Christians against the law
less spirit which threatens all our in
stitutions and endangers the best Of
them daily, the home. the school and
the church. We especially emphasize
our convictions in the matter of condemn
ing the anarchy of those daily papers IN
the state that through their teachings
have falsely educated the people and
under the head of appeals to lack
OF public sentiment and danger from
loss of municipal revenue from joints
and saloons have made the enforcement
| OF the law ludu SaaJs
"Ws recognize that the law has been
enforced to a large extent in WichI-
ita, showing that the law can DO
enforced and we call the attention of all
in authority to note the fact that when
the proper persons are appointed to do
their duty the necessary public senti-
ment can be found to assist the enforce
ment.
"We would extend our sympathy and
encouragement to all mon and women in
the state who at the present time are
fighting for law and its enforcement
against great odds. And we
offer this entire statement as
an appeal to the men and women of
Kansas to show of what courage and
loyalty they are made by demanding
unitedly the strict enforcement of~tnis
law which has been framed
against one of the greatest
enemies of the human race to
protect the friends, the children and the
homes we love, and the institutions and
bulwarks of chastity, religion and char
acter, which we all hold dear"
Before the resolutions were adopted,
Rev. Stewart Sheldon wanted to know il
the Topeka Capital had lately gone
back on prohibition and said he
had few days ago cut liquor adver-
tisenent out of the Capital.
President Norrbom wanted to know II
that was after the Capital changed hands
and became controlled by church man.
Mr. Sheldon said: 'Yes, it was since that
change"
Kansas Postmasters.