The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-08-24
TO SCARE EN-.
Senator PETER Says His Object
In Running For Governor
Is Not to Be Elected But to
Brighten
LEEDY AND STANLEY
Into FaYOring the Enforcement
of Prohibition.
Substance of Senator PETERS
Campaign Speech.
1EEDY AND STANLEY

Ex-senator William A. PETER made
the first speech of his campaign as
candidate for governor on the Prohibi-
ton ticket at the Third Christian
church, corner of Third and Lake
streets, last night. He spoke to an
audience of less than so people, the ma
jOrity of whom were women.
Senator PETER made his initial speech
under the auspices of the w. c. T. U.
of Parkdale, and the meeting was not
unlike one called for religious purposes.
It opened with a hymn and closed with
a benedictfon, and before the speaker
took his place on the rostrum prayer
was offered for the success of the cause
he represented. A hymn was also sung
after Senator PETER concluded his ad
dress, and with a hymnal in his hand
he Joined in the singing.
Senator PETER was introduced by one
of the members of the church as the
man who would be the next governor
of Kansas if the people did their duty
as Christians next November" Senator
PETER spoke for nearly an hour and
ended by severely scoring both Cover
nor Leedy and Mr.. Stanley for their
attitudes in reference to the prOhtbitory
question. He said;
Under our form of government we
have states and we have a nation. The
people of the states, without reference
to the government, have jurisdiction
over all subjects as long as none inter-
fere with the constitution of the United
States. Under this right the people of
Kansas some years ago went to the
polls and voted for an amendment to
the constitution. And what was the
amendment? 1t was that the manufac-
ture and sale of intoxicating liquors
should forever be prohibited in Kansas.
And the legislature in pursuance with
this amendment, passed laws for the
enforcement of the will of the people.
these laws we had a great deal of
trouble. Many of you are familiar with
it. I remember a meeting held in Craw-
fOrd'S opera house at which the QueS-
ton of what the people ofTOpeka should
do about the enforcement of the law
was the subject of discussion. The
mayor and the council and the police
men were opposed to the enforcement
of the law because they were securing
revenue from the saloons, and this
meeting was held TO determine whether
the people should lie down and be
trampIed upon by the authorities or
I remember I made a suggestion at
that meeting. suggested that a COM
mittee of 100 men be appointed before
the meeting adjourned for the purpose
of waiting on the mayor and city au-
thorities and asking them if they in
tended to enforce the prohibitory law.
If it came to pass that they replied
affirmatiVely I said the committee
should disband and go home. But if
their reply was that the law was not
to be enforced, told the meeting that
the committee should take the law in
its hands and close up the dram shops
and resorts of vice. My suggestion did
not meet with general approval. They
told me I was too radical and that
public sentiment would not stand such
a course. I told them that no action
was too radical as long as it was carry
ing out the law, and that public senti-
nent should never be allowed to stand
in the way of the enforcement of the
will of the whole people.
A. a, n..hIsr Cn.4s.nA