The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-03-17

deception, to sneaking. to disorder, TO
civic strife and TO unmanly, underhand
lies. The existence of such law so adj
ministered encouraged secret. furtive
drinking and brought the laws in general
into contempt The persistent falsifca-
ton and hypocritical pretense on the part
of the Prohibitionists only made the situs-
ton more repuLsive TO citizens who love
honor and right and noble manhood.
The eowardly weakness OF the success
sfve state administrations and their in
disposition to enforce the law have finally
brought matters TO a point where the law
has become so discredited and despised
that prohibition is an impossibihty. This
is now well understood. IL not openly &C
knowledged. among Republicans. Demo-
Gratis and Popuists, and also as between
Prohibitionists and Observation-Disclosures, so
that there is in fact little or no effort
made even by the extreme men honestly
to enforce the law.
Recent political events in the state prove
what we say, particularly IN the Wichita
convention. There the ProhibitionistS
voted for the most malignant OF anti-Pro-
hibitionists, and the most rabid whisky
tionists. In Wichita itself after a rally
had been made against the saloons Just
70 sppease the temperance men the situs-
ton has now been openly abandoned TO
the Observation-Disclosures. The resignation
of Tiger Bill marks the close OF the
wretched fissco.
In fact the Republicans seem to have
lost all genuine interest In prohibition,
and It may now be assumed that II Is a
dead issue which can never be resurrected.
Prohibition can never be made vital
factor in another fight in kansas,-for
the next decade at least.
Ever since It was sprung upon our peo-
pie prohibition has been used for the pur-
pose OF hoisting men into office; ii has
been a political engine.-or a political
scarecrow, and there has never been the
sincere purpose of enforcing the law
thoroughly and uniformly. 1t is time now
to cast the disgraceful thing as rubbish to
the void.
The Leavenworth Times has always
maintained and proclaimed its opinions as
above indicated, and the condition OF af-
fairs today is proof positive that We made
no mistake.
There will be no prohibition plank IN the
platform of any party in Kansas this fall
All parties Will come before the people
practically for resubmission.
We think our readers will give Us credit
for having correctly diagnosed the case
and prognosticated the future. We have
at least had the courage TO state
facts. Notwithstanding the storm OF in
dignation which has at times swept around
US. This paper Is aware that IL has done
its share OF the work IN exposing the
hypocrisy and wrongdoing Of the men who
needlessly created strife and discord IN the
various towns OF the state 20 the serious
detriment OF the weI-being of the people.
No better evidence to justify these re-
marks is needed than the continued flop
ping OF the present administration for
and against prohibition in the different
cities OF the state. Governor MorrilP 8
course OF action on this subject deserves
the severest condemnation, and viii allen
ate from him the respect alike OF every
friend and every foe of prohibition
The question for the Republican party
now Is whether II viii have the courage to
face the difficulty. The people demand
and have right 20 demand a settlement
The disorders and irregularities and
wrongs which have dlsgraced the past
must be rendered impossible for the fu-
ture. VIII the Republicans OF Kansas
frankly meet the situation. and come out
boldly and openly for resubmission7