The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-08-08

which they were familiar, and could
see no reason why it might not be
equally feasible elsewhere. The legis-
lature was therefore easily induced to
submit to the people an amendment
to the constitution prohibiting the
manufactur. and sale of intoxicating
liquors, except for medical scientific
and mechanical purposes. The voters
passed upon the proposition at the fan
election, and the amendment was car
ried, though by only small majority,
the record standing 92,3O2 yeas TO S4.-
3O4 nays-a majority Of almost 5000
of those expressing an opinion. but
more than 5000 short of majority of
the POI, 236 who cast their ballots for
president.
Fifteen years have passed since the
change was made in the constitution
by the Affirmative action Of less than
half the voters who went to the polls
During this the cond lions have great
" changed. The Older cities have
grown, and new ones have sprung
into existence. Wichita, for example.
which had less than 5000 people in
1880, showing nearly 5000 in 1880,
and that part of Kansas City which is
on the west side Of the Missouri river
having almost 10000 FIVE years ago.
In these cities, as in all places of that
size throughout the country, strong
sentiment has developed in favor of
legaliZing the sale of liquor, and their
voters have called for the Introduction
of local-optiOn system. The legls-
lature, however, is still made up chief
ly Of members from the agricultural
districts, and their constituents cling
so strongly to the idea of universal
prohibition that they will not grant
the principle of home rule to the cities,
nor even yield to the demand for re-
submission Of the amendment, which
there is every reason to believe would
now be beaten.
Year by year, violations Of the law in
the larger places have become more
and more fragrant Although saloons
are prohibited, a number of cities have
recognized their existence and allowed
the sale Of liquor upon the payment
of regular license fees. From time to
time the Kansas imitatOrs of Neal Dow
have followed his example in appeal
ing to the legislature for more rigorous
laws, and, like him, have usually got
what they wanted, only to find them
selves soon as badly off as before.
Recognizing at last that the trouble
was the local sentiment against state
law, they decided to try the enforce
ment of the law by state officials, and
secured the adoption of system by
which the governor appoints police
commissioners for the cities. This was
leaf out of the Massachusetts, book
Of experience with state constabu-
larry, and the people Of the Bay State
could have told the Kansans that the
experiment was bound to prove a fail
ure
Under the Populist administration of
Lewelling, during 1893 and 1894. the
saloon business in the cities was con-
Quoted more openly than ever before.
Governor Morrill,, who was elected by
the Republicans last fall, is theOretic-
ally believer in prohibition, but prac-
tically has a keen appreciation of the
fact that public sentiment must be
behind 4 law to make it effective. He
consequently appointed police commits
sioners for the cities who represented
the public opinion in favor of tolerat-
ing the saloons, and for some months
after his Inauguration last January,
things went on much as before. At
last the sincere believers in prohibit
ton became indignant, and brought
such a pressure to bear upon him that
early in July he gave orders to the
commissioners in most, but not all, of
the cities to close the saloons.
This action has served to show very
clearly how strong is the sentiment in
nearly all of the large places against
attempts to stop the sale of liquor.
The most striking developments have
occurred in Wichita. situated on the
Arkansas river, somewhat south Of the
center of the state. AS soon as the
order to close the saloons was issued,
public meeting was call to protest
crowded with an audience of $500,
while hundreds more could not force
their way in. The presiding officer,
Colonel Nicholas Bird, lone of the pill
lars Of the First Methodist church."
and the leading business and profess
sional men Of the city were among his
hearers and applauders as he argued
against the policy now being pursued.
Resolutions were adopted which recite
that sit is conceded by all that the ma
terial advancement Of a city rests upon
the enterprise and industry of its resi-
dent taxpayers. and that the manage
ment of the city's affairs necessarily
and by right ought TO devolve. upon
such property and taxpayers"
and proceeds:
Therefore. we respectfully but
earnestly ask the governor Of Kansas
to listen IS TO matters of local govern
ment for our city TO our business men,
who toll early and late for our well
fare; 10 our resident taxpayers. who
bear the heat and burden Of the day;
10 our earnest. loyal. Iberty-Ioving
people. who are permanent residents.
who carry the good of our community
in their hearts. and. 10 this end. that
he permit the present police author
tiles to so regulate the police affairs OF