The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-06-11

and the law abiding and law respecting
people are becoming impatient. They
want some way devised to express
themselves on that subject.
"Overa year ago in Topeka the people
held mass meeting of wonderful vigor
and force for the purpose of denOuncing
the open and brazen violation of the
law here in our own city. A nOn-parti-
san committee was appointed to look
after the matter and see if no remedy
could be found. Later the State Tenn
perance union was aroused and an
earnest convention of delegates repre-
senting the state met in Topeka and
took on new zeal and resolved to make
renewed and extra effort toward the
revival of the prohibition sentiment
among voters.
Still later a body known as the COM
mittee of 200 was organized devoted
to the same general object. The ex-
ecutive committee of the State Tenn
perance union, about three months ago,
held a meeting in Topeka at which 1
proposed a resolution that every can
didate for the nomination as governor
among the different parties should be
asked the direct question whether he
was in favor of the enforcement of the
prohibitOry liquor law and whether if
nominated and elected he would do his
best to enforce it. The resolution failed
at that meeting because of the presence
of a man who was at that time a can
didate for governor. At later meet
ing, in my absence, similar resolu-
fine their positions on the liquor ques-
ton was carried and in answer to this
question the announced Republican
candidates all defined their positions
and only one of them was either posi-
tive or unequivocal in stating that he
favored the enforcement of the law.
All but Coburn seemed to be afraid of
the question.
1.-THE day of the Republican conven-
ton at Hutchinson the Prohibitionists
were at work at Emporia. was called
to the telephone and asked if / would
accept a nomination from them om a
straight prohibition platform. 1t oc-
CURED to me instantly that here was
an opportunity to let the people vote
on this question without interfering in
any way with party relations. L an
Swered the EmpOria people that
would accept the nomination on cOndi-
ton that there would be nothing in the
platform to which [ should be pledged
except the enforcement of the law, and
this particular law. 1 would not be
expected to renOunce my own political
views.
My relation to this campaign is pc
culiar. My candidacy represents but
one idea-the enforcement of the pro-
hibitory liquor law and I want the
people to understand distinctly that is
all there is about it. Those opposed to
the law and who do not want to see
course, and if those who are in favor
of the law are as sincere as they say
they are they will vote for me.
L don't expect to discuss anything
but the one question in the campaign.
1 will not talk about national politics
except as L may refer to the war and
that will not be partisan. If I am
chosen governor of the state 1 would
not expect to interfere in any way with
the work of the members of the legis- |
lature chosen by the people of the |
state I would not impose upon them !
my own views except on this particular
question.
This is an excellent opportunity to |
secure a test. 1t should be found |
or not the law can be enforced |
and if it can not be the best thing to |
be done is to get rid of it,
Senator PETER referred to himself of |
a derelict floating upon the political |
ocean. He said that all his political |
associates have deserted him and are |
preparing to go to the Democratic party |
or have already gone. Il can not go |