The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1895-05-31
THE GOVERNOR AND PROHIBITION

THE GOVERNOR AND Prohibitions
EDITOR REGISTER
"YOu cannot enforce law where the
sentiment is against its enforcement"
So says Gov. Morrill,, speaking of the
prohibitory law.
Why did he not say that before the
election? If he had he would have
been defeated by $4,000 votes; and my
prediction is that if he is a candidate
next year, he aud the whole admins
tratiOn-if they endorse such senti-
ment-will never see daylight for
the votes against them. When first
heard the statement I could not be-
lieve he was in earnest and waited to
hear it contradicted, but every mail
has brought confirmation as to the
truth of the statement.
1t is, Mr.. Editor, with a sad heart
and feeling of humiliation as Re-
publican, and one who has never
swerved from the support of the party
in the main, that | pen the words that
are to follow.
Being in Humboldt last Saturday /
thought | would interview some of
the men 1 met, SO without seeking any
class or party, put this question to
them: "What do you think of the
Governors statement that you can
not enforce a law where the sentiment
of the people is against its enforce
ment ?'n Instead of giving their
names will number them and give
their politics.
No. l. Prohibition Rep.-"I think
the Governor is right. Don't you see
you cannot get jury to convict here,
(meaning Humboldt). Still l think
it was bad declaration to make"
No. 2. Rep.-"I am against prohibit
ton, but am not In favor of any such
doctrine as that. You can just as well
say the same about any law. It's q
bad break" "WouId you vote for
man the second time who takes such
ground? n mo, sir, l would not. He
will not be q candidate again; it
would be no use.n Number two is
one of the staunchest of Republicans
and a man of wealth and influence.
No. 8. Resubmission Rep-"The
Governor is right. You cannot do it
where the people are against it."
No. 4. 81 don't take either side of
the question. l don't touch liquor,
but it is bad stand to take that you
won't try to enforce law because
some one is against it,"
No. 5. 'It's hard to enforce law
where the sentiment is against it, but
it's bad position for the Governor of
State to take and will tend TO lessen
the respect the people have for the
laws of the State"
No. 6. Rep.-"Oh, 1 guess the Gov
ernor did not mean he would not try
to enforce the law. Still it is bad
precedent to establish. Pm afraid it
will hurt the party"
No. Z. Rep.-"Bad stand to take"
No. s. 81 hardly know about the
truth of the report yet. have been
hoping that it was not so, but do
not take any stock in that kind of sem
timent, and it seems almost incredi-
BILE that the Governor should take
such a stand" "DO you think the
Republican party will endorse such q
thing?" ."When the Republicans
resolve against prohibition that day
1 leave them. did not want plank
in the platform last summer endorsing
prohibition, but the party must not
resolve or act against prohibition"
Number eight has been honored by
the Republicans of the county time
and again and is one of the blacklist
of black Republicans.
No. 8. Rep.-Surely the Governor is
wrong in taking such a position"
"Would you vote a second time for q
man who took that position 2" mo,
would not. It's bad thing to take
that kind of a stand about any law"
No. 10. Rep.-Made about the same
reply as number nine, and added "he
was not my man for Governor. With
Hoch in the Governors chair there
would have been none of this"
No. IL. p. p. and Resubmissionist
-"Oh, this is among you Republic
cans. You accused LewelliDg of not |
enforcing the law, but he never took |
such a stand as that. Aside from pol |
tiles, however, its a bad position for |
any one charged with the execution
of the laws to take"
No. u. Rep. Resub.-"The Cover
nor is just right. / am glad we have |
a Governor who will not listen ali the
time to the majority, but who thinks
the minority have some rights"
No. 13. Rep.-"Sad stand to take"
No IL nen -UD-d had Dosition /