The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1896-10-31
A.E.KEPF0RD'S MEETING
"A Small Audience Hears the In
dependent Republican.
Gov. Morrill, Came In For a
Severe Scoring.
1Tr- Kepford Says There are $50 sa-
looms IN Leavenworth tide
nounees o. II 3.

"a
sas was held up to public scorn by the
e0pOnents of the newly formed indie
pendent party at Hamilton haH last
night His administration for the
past two years was reviewed, and con
elusive evidence derived from the re-
view why the prohibition element in
Ehe state should not support him for re-
election.
Rev. a. Z. Kepford Of Fort Scott,
candidate for governor. and A. III.
Vance Of this city. candidate for attor-
ney general on the Independent Prohi-
N-I0n ticket. spoke lp an audience Of
about 3J0 people The audience did
not display very great interest, but APP
plauded occasionally.
People left the hall at intervals dur
ing the time Mr. Kapford was talking,
and once Mr. Kepford was interrupted
by the large number who left their
seats and started from the hail.
Rev r. Wake acted as chairman of
the meeting In opening his address
Mr.. x epf0rd said.
II want TO speak to you tonight of
things which concern our homes of
matters which are of more interest to
you than the national issues. The
most important questions are the ques-
uons nearer home. The questions of
the state as they affect YOU are of more
importance than the questions of the
nation; the questions of your own par
ticular county are of more Importance
-l-d-A the questions OF the state the
questions of your home and hreside are
greater than all others.
Mr.. Kepford then entered into a dis
cussion OF the Lewelling administra-
ton and spoke Of the nomination of
Governor Morrill,, who it was said was a
man of temperance sentiments and one
who would enforce the prohi5itory law.
There were three reasons said he.
3Why the people expected the enforce
nent of the prohibitory law by the cleo
ton Of Governor Morrill, First. be-
cause the Republican party in con-
ventiOn had formulated the platform In
which it declared that all laws should
be enfOrceds second. because the chief
executive would take a solemn oath
that the law should and would be en-
forced third, because the state of kan
Eas bad pledged the people that the
prohibitory law would be enforced For
these three resaons the men of the gos-
pei and Of moral sentiment arose and
placed in power the present admins
trati0n."
Mr.. Kepford then took up the public
sentiment Interview" which appeared
shortly after Governor MorrilPs cleo
ton. and said that 1t was nothing more
than an invitation TO the saloonkeep- /
ers and dive keepers to come into the
state and set up their nefari0us bust
ness. provided that they could get pub
lie sentiment on their side This pub
lie sentiment interview said he. gave
to all our cities the open saloon"
Alr Aeplord gave snort sketch OF
the liquor traffic in LeaFenW0rth, and
declared that there were $50 saloons in
that city. Ought these things exist"
said he. should we allow such cOndi-
tions to cOnunue2 or rather, ought we
not rise in our might and defeat the
man who took a solemn oath to en-
force the law2"
Mr. Kepford referred to the 0. NJ. B.
There is in league with the Republi-
can party in this state a secret society
known as the O. NJ. b.. and the purpose !
of that society is the assassination Of
IL
American and un-Republican. I stand
tonight shamefaced that my party
should have the Endorsement of such an
organization which is using every
means possible to destroy all efforts put
forth for the enforcement of the pro-
hibitOry law. tit is as dark as Brutus
when he struck the dagger to the heart, /
as dark as Wilkes Booth when he as
Bassinated the immortal Lincoln. And
we are asked to vote for men who stand
beside the un- American and un-Repub- !
'-They ten as that we may be response /
BE for the defeat of the Republican par |
party owes Us anything and we owe no
party anything The ballot is sacred /
according to the dictates Of our con- /
Mr.. Kepford concluded by saying: MY /
nope IS mat the great apostle OF prOIec- /
fiOn, William Mckinley. may be elected /
= ---- S1-,--sI4 -ii4 - 49, -, -.s1,,-l-e
defeated by the ballots of the Christian 1
mr. Vance commenced his speech bv 1
stating that although Republican all 1
nis life there was no reason at all why he +
should vote for Governor Morrill, Gov !
ernOr morrill, is too weak to be governor /
said he. HE hasn't the sand to stick up /
for the law
Governor Morrill, is good Lord and I
good devil. BE keeps his promises to the /
whisky men by keeping his hands oft /
when he should have them on Mr.. I
Vance said the announcement that the /
Interview with Morrill, which the German +
league officers reported as entirely sat 1
dsfactory was exactly like all others, be- /
cause no one was ever known to confer /
with Morrill, and not secure exactly what /
ne desired, and always left his office sat /
dslied-
ICY Leland said" continued Mr.. Vance I
pfthat Governor M0rriH was the only man /
he knew who could fall down in a snow 4
bank and leave no impression. We pre- I
fer to have man i'm office who has some y
OF the old Kansas blood i'm him and viii 4
discharge the obligations of his office
They tell us that we should not vote I
for Leedy because he is the worst man I'm I
the state. Just think of trying to elect I
q governor simply because the other man /
as meaner. Governor Morrill, is presented /
40 the voters on the grounds that the {
other man is meaner than he Is
Governor MOrrU has the authority /
ind he has the right TO use it, If he does
not he is not fit TO be governor