The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-03-04
SPEAKS FIRMLY.
State Temperance Union Wants
the Metropolitan Law.
Believes the State Should Pay
Its Expense
IN CERTAIN CASES.
CERTAIN
RESOLUTIONS Adopted Today Re-
affirm Principles.
enforcement of Law Makes Bet
ter Public Sentiment.

The State Temperance union opened
its second days session at the First Pres
byterian church with an attendance of
between 200 and 800
The following are the resolutions
adopted today. The only debate of any
consequence was on the resolution con-
corning the metropolitan police law:
Resolved, That we reaffirm our 10y
ally to and belief in the policy of consti-
tutional prohibition. The saloon is in its
very nature Iawless and anarchist
ic. There is but one attitude
which the state, and especially
the free state, can safely or logically
assume toward it; and that is the atti-
tude of unrelenting, unremitting hostil-
ity From the nature of things it must
be constant contest. The saloon will
obey no law and submit to no restriction
voluntarily. 1t is an institution
founded for the culture of
vice and the promotion of crime.
The liquor dealer is essentially
for the sake of gain, and without any of
the ordinary impulses or passions which
in many cases palliate or excuse the un-
lawful act, he brings about and is direct>
ly responsible for nine-tenths of the
crimes of violence; he promotes the So
cial evil; he abuses wives, starves children,
and pauperizes the community; he rules
and debauches politics and is the arch
enemy of society and perpetual and
frightful menance to good government
and free Institutions. The prohibirory
law in the hands of faithful officials can
be and is as thoroughly enforced as any
other restrictive measure, with as little
trouble, and with vastly better results.
2-Resolved, That we fully appre-
how 49, e., ne =
prohibitory law, of active, aggressive
public sentiment. We have no donbt as
to what the sentiment of the people of
this state on this question, but we deem
it wise that that sentiment be particularly
aroused at this time, and be made more
apparent and effective, and we urge
every loyal man and woman in the state
to contribute his share to this result.
3-Resolved, That while we recognize
the value of public sentiment, we affirm
that where competent, honest and cour-
ageous officials have been elected, the
law has been well enforced. Public SEN
timent aids in the enforcement of law;au
the enforcement of law itself creates ac-
tive and loyal public sentiment For this
reason we urge that the influence and
votes of all loyal and public spirited cit
liens should be uniformly exercised tothe
end that only honest, faithful, courageous
and competent men be placed in publ ic
positions
4-Res olved, That we reaffirm our ap-
prevail of the police commissioner law.
This measure was enacted solely to en-
able the chief executive of the state to
enforce the prohibitory law in those large.
cities where the lawless naturally con-
gregats, and where local sentiment may
be Indifferent or adverse. It's purpose
was to oppose the strength and loyalty of
the state at large to the weakness and
Iawlessness of a few communities. 1t is
true that this law puts into the
hands of the chief executive a large ap-
pointing power which in some hands
may be used, not for the enforcement of
law, but for selfish personal and political
ends; but in tho hands of an executive
fitted to govern and worthy of the dig
nifty of his exalted position, it has proved
and will again prove most effective for
the preservation of good order and the
protection of society An open saloon
anywhere is menace to good order
everywhere. The state has the right to
intervene in any locality and at any time,
to enforce respect for the constitution
and statutes enacted by the state.
5-Resolved. That we favor such legis-
Iation as will, when necessary, make Po-
lice commissions independent of local
authorities in the matter of financial sup
port.
6-Resolved, That we believe that no
legislation, national or state, could pos
sibly do as much injury to the peo-
pie of the state of Kansas as would
be done by the return of the saloon. with
all its attendant evils, social, economic
and political, and that our first duty to
ourselves is the preservation and the en-
forcement of the prohibitory law
7-Resolved, That we call upon our
members of congress and senators to
support national legislation looking to
supreme state control of the liquor
traffic.
S-Resolved, That we demand of all
political parties, candidates for all offices
concerned in the creation and enforce
ment of law, that they clearly and une-
quivocally pledge themselves to support
the prohibitory amendment and exhaust
all constitutional power to make
it completely effective, and we will vote
for no candidates who refuse to do this.
We urge upon all friends of prohibition
the utmost diligence in political affairs
and especially that they attend the pri-
maries of their respective political par
ties.
9-That we approve the action of the
late citizens meeting in appointing
committee of fifty on the enforcement of
law, and we pledge the union to coop
crate with that commistee in every way.
Japanese Suicides.
CFOAR RAPIDS Ia March 4-JOkithi