The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-05-19

! agreement of the western lines to main
tain schedule freight rates after June
has been reached in violation of the
law.
Now, in the face Of the Sherman an
thrust law, and the decision of the
supreme court of the United States
constituting that law so as to make it a
Ielony Tor railroad companies and their
agents to engage in this kind of a meet
ing, they have no more right, legally or
morally, to go to a meeting of this
sort, than the counterfeiters of the
country would have to hold a meeting
to evade the law. They are all felonS
alike, under the law, and hope that
the gentlemen who are so anxious to
promote the enforcement of the prOhib-
itory law will find also some way to
take action in regard to the law-break-
ers of higher degree.
7 believe that it is my duty to do
What can to enforce the laws against
corporations as well as to enforce the
prohibttOry law, and have started in
to do what can in that direction and I
do not propose to be diverted from my
purpose by any howl that can be rails
ed about the prOhibitOry law by men
who are put forward by the corpora
tiOns to do the screaming.
IF these gentlemen desire a better
enforcement OF the prohibitOry law than
is now being had, let them quit playing
to the galleries and come down to bust
ness and they will find that I have less
saloon money and less corporation mon
ey in my pocket than they have in
theirs and that I will make every man
convicted and sentenced in court serve
a just and reasonable sentence behind
the bars, even though the saloons and
corporations both stand behind him as
they seem to in the WilkerSOn case"
James A. Troutman followed Mr.
Leedy and suggested that perhaps the
mysterious individual who at funeral
arose and said: If no one cares to
fn7 Z oil 1.af do 7 will
few remarks on the subtreasury." I
do not know said Mr.. TrOutman, but
we have this same mysterious individ-
ual with US tonight
This is a question of loyalty or trea-
son. If you are good citizens you must
stand by the law. Under our law the
state, not the municipality, is the unit
of power. The oath taken by every Of
fcer to enforce the law extends to the
limits of the commonwealth. 1 shall
not enter into any controversy with the
governor. whose ignorance of the State
Temperance union is as glaring as the
effrOntery of the chief executive before
this meeting (Cheers) Hit EN-
again. GO after them. Jimmie" came
from all parts Of the house, but Mr..
TrOutman did not proceed, taking his
seat TO give the many other speakers
an opportunity.
II G. Larimer said: 1T has been
announced by the chief executive him
self that he openly encourages the sa-
loon. Invited to speak upon the en-
fOrcement of the law, he has come to
this meeting and talks in a way that
would encourage any man who desired
to violate the law 1t IS an outrage
that such a condition prevails in Kan
sas Neglecting prohibition, he has
talked of freight rates. 1 want to tell
you, men and women, that it makes no
difference whether or not the police
force is on our side, we will enforce the
prOhibitOry law in Topeka. think Milt
Henderson will do his duty as police
I know Wilson Keith will We have
been told to furnish evidence and that
the law will be executed. Furnish this
committee with money and we will IN
dertake what 1 think will be one of
the greatest and most successful cru
sades ever witnessed in this city
Senator PETER followed Mr. Larimer.
Mr. PETER said: I didn't bring a blan-
l1et with me, but if 1 had brought one
it would not have been filed with cold
water to throw over this meeting
believe that if I were governor of kan
SaS I would enforce the law, drive out
the saloons. I would enforce the law
and drive out these joints and saloons,
or leave enough wrecks in my path TO
show that 1 had been doing something
The governor has sworn before Al
mighty God that he will enforce the
law. Is he doing it? 1t seems to me,
if [ were governor of the state, instead
of abusing the temperance people L
would denOunce the viOlators OF the
law"
When Mr.. PETER made the above
statement Hamilton hall shook with
cheers. Men jumped up and swung
their hats, while women clapped their
hands and assisted in Offering Mr.
PETER the demonstration of the even
ing in the way of approval.
Governor Leedy, sitting on the front
row of chairs on the stage, listened to
Mr. PETER with deep interest. Mr.. PET
fer said in conclusion:
when he abused US as being cranky
hi Ia q
much a friend to this law as any other,
I ask the governor as he goes PACK
and forth to Missouri and Texas, on
his DeregrinatiOnS here and there,
whether the burden of his song is not
railroad, railroad, railroad OnueI
the very shadow was going to say OF
the state house flag, but [ was ashamed
when I looked at that nag the olher
dav-under the very shadow OF the
dome of the capitol complaints are
heard that one particular law is Vlo-
lated, day in and out
The ever-popIllar and eloquent Mrs
Annie L. Digss, also arraigned Cover
nor I,eedy for his attitude upon the pro-
hibitOry law. From the governor We
have heard tonight" she said, that the
chief difficulty to which We owe the
lack of the enforcement OF the law IS
with the State Temperance union. Ihe
responsibility for the enforcement Oh
this law rests, not with the State Tenn
Dexance union or any other organization
but with the officers whose sworn duty
is to enforce the law. Governor Leedy
and his police board are the persons
who are responsible. Cheers. We
should not be called upon to raise funds
as we have attempted to do here to
night to assist in the work for which
these officers are chosen and paid.
However, this condition is not peculiar
to this administra ton. It has been
charac teristic of all of them In the
temperance cause, I know no partisan
ship; neither Republican, Democrat or
Popuiist. I even applauded Major Hud-
sons speech. Could -partisanship
ascend to sublimer heights?
The prohibitory law can be enforced
by the governor. All we need is a gov
ernOr who desires to do it. He has the
power Governor Leedy could enforce