The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-10-08
CULVER STONE BLIND
He Didn't See Anything Wrong
In Topeka Last Week.
J Joints Are Here All the Time,
Only a Number More
During Festival Week Than Before
A Temperance Meeting Last
Night Lightly Attended.

Night Lightly Attended.
The temperance rally held at Repre-
sentative han last night under the au-
spices Of the grand lodge of Good TEN
pIars of Kansas did not result in as
large an attendance as was hoped for
Less than so people turned out to listen
to temperance doctrine.
Major c. A Bateman of Lawrence.
the newly elected grand chief templar,
presided as chairman Of the meeting.
and after the singing OF the doxology
and prayer by Rev. Mr.. Thomas of the
Baptist church made a short address
in which ne reviewed the temperance
work in Kansas during the past forty
years Major Bateman said that he
was glad to see a growing sentiment in
Al temperance societies for the union
Of all temperance workers.
At the close of his address Major
Bateman introduced A. H. Vance. pres
leent Of the State Temperance union.
Mr.. Vance said.
The question which cOnfronts US to-
day IS temperance. There is no de-
bate on the adVisa bility of temperance,
no debate on whether or not temper
ance is good thing. The question is,
how are we to accomplish temperance
among the people The only way to
dc this is not only to seek to persuade
the drinker Of intoxicating liquors. but
also to prohibit others from selling him
liquor.
There is one proposition on which ali
temperance workers can stand, and
that is the persuasion to one and the
prohibition to the other. This is the
only logical stand for the temperance
societies and the temperance adher-
ents to take. In my judgment the only
danger that threatens US is the fact
that we are divided on other questions.
and for q time have laid down the
harness on the question of temper
ance"
Following Mr.. Vance, Judge j. f.
Culver of Emporia, the retiring grand
chief templar. spoke for q half an hour
Judge Culver said:
There is a great apathy on the part
Of the temperance people in this state
and unless We can arouse this apathy
on the part of the temperance people
there are certain dangers which con-
front us. am not an alarmist-
don't think the 0. NJ B. is going to
cut any figure in this state, but I be
l3eve that we must take an aggressive
stand"
Judge Culver then referred to the
statement made in the New York Voice
that the whisky trust owned and con
trolled the press in South Dakota. and
said that if such was the truth in
South Dakota the same condition OF
affairs might be brought about in Kan
sas- but I want to assure you" said
he, that If the temperance people will
IN the state to buy up the papers
Continuing, Judge Culver said. sI
have heard all sorts of wild stories
about the condition in Topeka I want
to say that I was here last week in at
/ tendance at the temperance convention.
and I didn't see one drunken man On
the streets. If there is anything wrong
[ don't believe 1t is the fault Of the
officers. In fact. the executive officers
are only indirectly responsible for the
enforcement of the law. Outside of the
cities of the first class the citizens are
largely responsible for the enforcement
of the law.
There should be an energetic effort
on the part OF all citizens We are
taking steps to get all OrganiZa lions in
this state together and consolidate the
temperance forces. The trouble is the
enemy are united and the temperance
people are divided What action we
take for the enforcement OF the law, let
US take together If we stand still the
devil viii take US all in.
Il hope that just as soon as politics
settle down we viii have a great mass
meeting in Topeka or some other point
in the state"
J. B. Larimer followed Judge Cul-
Yer in a short speech in which ne ad-
vocated the union or all temperance
workers, and said the temperance peo-
pie of Kansas should throw stones a
the enemy and not at each other.
Secretary Stevens of the State Tern
perance union made the closing speech
r said that the indications during the
past three months pointed to a grand
revival of the strong temperance senti-
ment among the temperance people Of
this state. when the people of the
state become thoroughly aroused said
he, when the temperance organiza-
tons become thoroughly aroused. the
officers of this state viii enforce the
law. The law VIII never be enforced
until the people demand 1t, and the peo-
pie will never demand it until we have
a revival Of agitation"
Mr.. Stevens then spoke at some
length in reference to the condition of
affairs in this city last week, and said
that the State Temperance union had
been heavily censured for allowing such
a condition TO exist He said that the
State Temperance union had made
every effort possible to have the places
II.