Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1896-03-05

s><szzSIulE< up to ridicule by
the people of other states for some of
the fool laws that are on our statute
books. but ars never enforced. there is
no question. The following letter from
7. n. BonDurant, prominent Nc
Pherson county farmer and democrat, |
is well worth careful perusal. The
letter is as follows:
We have upon our statue books a
law prohibiting the sale of Intoxicating
LIQUORS and for number of years the
state and local authorities have en-
deavored to enforce obedience to these
laws. One administration after
another has come into power and pass
ed away, and still the traffic in intoX-
icants continues. Why is this so?
There are no people more true and law
abiding than the people of Kansas.
Yet it is published broadcast through
out the state that this law is not re
spected. Now, if the statement is true,
we are certainly face to face with a
condition that must be squarely met
and settled. Under a republican form
of government, it has been established
beyond the possibility Of successful
contradiction, that public sentiment is
the standard by which all laws are
Judged. That any and all laws sane
toned by public sentiment. can easily
be enforced; and that laws not thus
sanctioned can never pc successfully
executed.
Measuring then this law by this
standard, is not the proof overwhelm-
| ingly in favor Of removing it from our
statutes. When it is clearly demon
strated by the continued efforts of four
or five successive administrations, with
the entire resources of the state at
their command, that it is impossible to
enforce it, we shoHld stop in our effort
to force the people to bear burden
they are unwilling to bear. The pro-
hibitorY law, as it now stands upon the
statutes of the state of Kansas, is there
in opposition to the wish of the masses
ofthe people of today in Kansas.
What the sentiments might have been
when it was placed there, has nothing
to do with that of to-day. Earnestly
believing that this is the condition at
present, we sho uld present.to the peo-
pie of the state and in every county, a
platform with a clear ringing dem and
for resuhmission. There can be nc
possible harm in doing so. Let us
hear from the people; am willing to
trust the people upon any question;
their verdict shall be my verdict
This condition forces the great state OF
Kansas into the position of an unwill-
ing educator of class of law-breakers
There is not a ten year old boy in
!, the state, who has common sense, thai
does not know that the selling of intox
icatlng liquors is prohibited by law
Yet he cannot visit the humblest ham
let in the state without witnessing 8
violation of this law. Can we expec
that boy to grow up to manhood will
that profound respect for the laws o
the state that should exist in the breas
Of every citizen? Certainly not-it il
vain to hope for such results unde
existing conditions.
Let as take a commercial view of tn,
condition at this time. Our state
ranks fifth in agricultural product
and with fair seasons We can easil.
rank second. Yet what does it agai
4 us; with all our wonderful cereal re
} sources we are, by this one law mad
} tributary to Missouri. Having n
home demand for our corn, we ar
forced to sell at ruinous prices-pa
the freight to other states, and thel
; use the pittance received from on
corn to buy from them, at an enormou
profit, articles that we must have bu
D cannot on account Of this prohlbitoF
d law. manufacture here. Thus Kansa
: is made tributary to other states Ii
the sum Of not less than one-half t.