The Topeka state journal., 1897-11-04
The Reasons For KepIey's Ma
jOrity in the City.
SAY PROHIBITIONISTS
Did Not Vote Their Full
Strength in the Election.
Some Members of the Commit
tee a Little Cross.
They Want to Call the Kepley
Support "Bums.

Members of the Committee of Sew
enteen were seen today, and asked
what in their opinion was the reason
that Kepley. representing the vets
in Tuesdays election received 122 more
votes than Cook, particularly as To-
peka has always been supposed to be
a strongly prohibition city:
NJ. T. Campbell said: There are eth
er too many churches and not enough
joints or there are too many joints and
not enough churches. 1t does seem
too bad for the Kepley side that they
did not win when a few more kegs of
beer would have done the work If
the majority had been so large that it
would have taken a car load of beer
it would not seem so bad for them.
do not think it is wet and dry decis-
ion. Cook was too late in coming out
with his declaration for law and order
Two thousand of the best citizens did
not vote
L. B. Stebbins said: ''Kepley worked
the cOlOred vote. l do not think it is
a victory for the liquor element, but
it shows that they have gained
Judge T. F. Carver said: Il have not
compared it to other elections, but it
does not seem to be a good result for
pIOuIDlIlOn-
Charles F. Spencer said he would not
talk for publication but that if anyone
wanted his views he could have them
by calling at his office.
Mr.. ]. w. Gleed spoke as follows:
For myself feel very much encour-
aged by the results of the election. The
issue was clearly drawn. The majority
of the people who voted have voted in
favor of law and order. The opposition
got out its entire strength. OF course
the law and order side did not do that
The buns all voted. They have moth
ing else to do. The citizens who failed
to vote were the busy, industrious, re-
putable portion of the community The
opposition spent a great deal of money
and used a great deal of free whisky.
The opposition had two carriages on
the street to one for Cook. In spite of
all this Cook wins. 1t is demonstrated
beyond the posi- bility of a doubt that
good majority of the citizens in the city
are in favor of law and O-der. Another
interesting thing in the result is the
fact that Cook kept SO we'll up with the
ticket He is only two hundred in the
country behind Phillips. All the official
machinery was against Cook. The sher-
ifs Office and the police department
constitute a very efficient political ma
chine. Mr.. Kepley is personally a pop
ular man and a shrewd politician and
a terrific worker. In spite of all these
considerations Cook wins. This can
only mean that the people do not want
saloons
Harry HeaId. who was injured in the
riot at Garfield park on Labor Day,
spoke as follows:
Il 90 not think that it is a decision
of the people in regard to prohibition
or resubmission. A great many prohi-
was of their own faith politically A
large number of business men were
down on the prohibition committee
because they entertained the wrong
idea that the committee tried to spoil
the Festival, and so they voted against
their candidate, and aided Kepley. The
bum element was out in force for KEEP
ley and worked much harder for his
election than did Cooks supporters. A
great many of the best citizens did not
vote. No, do not think it was a decis-
ion in favor of whisky
County Treasurer F. NJ Stahl said:
1T is the best test we have had for
years on the question of wet or dry, but
a great many Populists wanted their
party to win, and let the question of
prohibition go. Cook was too late in
coming out with his law and order
declaration. Before the election a
great number of prOhibitiOniStS were
dissatisfied and voted for KepIey If
Cook had come out sooner, he would
have carried the election in the city by
q large majority"
D. c. Tiuotson was outspoken in his
views:
1T was a black eye for prohibition"
said he Cook was month late in let
ting the people know where he stood
In my mind it shows that the majority
of the people are in favor of resubmis-
sion"
E. B. Cowgirl of the Kansas Farmer
said:
I have not given the question much
thought. 1t looks like an expression of
sentiment on the wet and dry question
but I should like to look into the mat
ter before giving my definite answer
Frank H. Foster says:
Party strength is shown on treasur-
er. Phillips majority was about 800
more than Cooks. About 450 Republi-
cans voting for Kepley would make
that difference. I think Mr.. Cook re-
ceived 200 or 800 votes from the resub-
missionists on account of personal
friendship. About $50 Republicans are
resubmissionists and will vote any tick
ct that stands for that.
so many things enter into the ques-
ton that it is hard to say whether the
election shows a favor for wet or dry.
About 1000 prohibitionists remained at
home who should have been out to vote
for Cook. I think a great many busi-
ness men voted for Kepley because they
thought the committee of seventeen
was down on the Fall Festival. L ex-
pect the committee OF seventeen to con-
tinue working for the cause whether
Cook or Kepley is sheriff I feel sure
Cook would have been defeated, but
for his speech at Pence's school house
I know that brought him 200 votes. I