The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-10-14
BAPTISTS, NOW.
The State Convention Places
Itself on Record
Resolutions Lament the Recent
Non Enforcement
OF PROHIBITORY LAW
By estate, County and City Of
f1cials.''
No Political Action Taken By
Convention as Yet.
OF PROHIBITORY LAW

The Baptist convention. which is in
session at the North Topeka Baptist
church today is framing resolutions on
the enforcement Of the prohibitory law
of the state. The committee on tenn
perance and prohibition, after lengthy
deliberations. has prepared the follow
ing, which is being submitted to the
convention this afternoon. 1t comes
out squarely for the enforcement Of the
law and asks that citizens take a more
Jealous interest in it. The report will
undoubtedly be adopted as presented,
and here it is verbatim:
The temperance cause in the state
of Kansas is in a critical position. Al
though a prohibitory law just and wise
remains among the statutes of the
state and is Incorporated into the con-
stitution, it is feebly administered its
continuance is being constantly threat
ened and at the present time its OPP
pOsers are being organized in a con-
spiracy to destroy it.
While untold blessings have already
come to our state on account of the
provisions of this law, its beneficial re
suits have been disastrOusly curtailed
by the too common indifference of the
state, county and city officials, and
even of the ordinary citizen, to its
proper administration.
An inquiry into the causes Of this
gloomy and disastrous state of affairs
leads US to the conclusions,
r5rst-The majority Of Christians and
the better class of our citizens neglect
to exercise their rights and obligations
at all the various stages in the
nomination and election of the public
officers of the country, especially in not
attending the primaries and not testing
those soliciting office upon the question
of sobriety and-social order
Second-The judgment Of many Of the
people and prOba bly, some Of our mem
bership has become doubtful and their
conscience Indifferent to the claims of
temperance principles, evidently dis
closing a retrogression in the senti-
ments of the people regarding this
great social and moral question
Third-This decline of temperance
principles among our citizens may in
measure be attributed to the influx from
other states and countries but the
symptoms are too widespread and
alarming to be fully accounted for in
this way. The marks of decay are to
be found among those born and educ8-
ted in the state. The conclusions force
themselves upon US that the condition
which cOnfrOnts US is to be attributed
in part to the apparent death of our
educational forces upon the question OF
temperance and the observations OF
law in the home, in the public schools,
in the temperance society, in public
temperance rallies. in the Sabbath
school in the pulpit. and upon the plat
form; and in a large degree, it is to be
attributed to the natural selhshness OF
man, which leads him to lack interest
in the welfare of his fellOWmen and his
country, and blinds him 50 that he is
willing to suppose the collection of blood
money from both legal and Illicit deal
ers in intOxicants relieves him from
taxation to support public works and
develop the country.
The analysis of the causes, suggests
the remedy Your committee would
therefore recommend our churches and
their members to reorganize education
al forces that will produce such deep
conviction in regard to the righteous
ness and reasona bleness of temperance
principles and the prOhibitOry move
ment that the judgment Of the people
shall be confirmed in its favor, and
mighty reaction occur which viii lead
to its speedy and righteous triumph.
It is further advised that our mem
bership be on the alert in the perform
ance of their specific duties and privi-
leges at each and every opportunity
REV. W. B. BRADSHAW,
Hutchinson.
REV. c. J. COULTER.
Junction City.
JOHN E. MARSHALL,
Garnett.
Committee.
The following officers We're elected
this morning by the convention for the
ensuing year: President, W. c. Simp-
son, Emporia; vice president, j. NJ Nc
Wharf, F't. Scott; recording secretary,
w. Elliott, Argentine; and treasurer,
John r. Mulvane, Topeka.
There are now over 200 delegates in
attendance at the convention and the
sessions will continue until tomorrow
evening. There seems to be great in
terest being taken in the meetings, and
all delegates seem to be anxious to ex-
press themselves upon the prOhibitory
question At o'clock this afternoon
the convention meets in session to dis
cuss the enforcement Of the prohibitory
law and to give an expression of the
sentiment of the Kansas Baptists upon
it.
Yesterday at the meeting of the min
isterial association, held prior to the
opening of the convention, the follow
ing resolution was unanimously adopt
ed:
"Resolved, That We reaffirn our 10y
atty to the prohibitory temperance
clause of the constitution of our state,
and that we will do all within our pow
er to enforce all of its provisions; that
we are unaIterably opposed to its re
submission to the vote of the people,
knowing that the demand for resub-
mission comes from the enemies of the
the part of officials and the perjury Of
witnesses called to testify are the most
formidable obstacles in the way of its
enforcement. We viii do all within our
power to bring the guilty parties to
Justice We further more pledge the
officers of the law our support in its
enforcement.
REV. Z. S. RILEY,
Manhattan.
REV. W. z BRADSHAW,
Hutchinson.
REV W. H. PARKER. D.D..
WINFIELD -
,ss..I- -7.- 4