Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1898-03-18
Flower Defends St. John.
American Nonconformist.


BY this time it should be needless to warn our
friends against believing anything published
from the Associated Press which reflects upon
the action or word of those who are unse6shly
fighting for the welfare of our people until
the press reports have been verified, for
the telegraph monopoly, like the majority of
the great dailies of both the old parties is the
willing tool of corrupt capitalism and enthusi-
astic greed. But very striking illustration of
the essential falsity which characterizes so much
OF the Associated Press reports when it handles
anything touching our friends occurred last
week and calls for a passing notice. A long
sensational dispatch was published all over the
East, and suppose it also went into millions of
homes in the South and West, announcer g that
Ex-Governor St. John, of Kansas, had signed
petition for liquor selling and that the action of
this stalwart temperance man, who is also
champion of the demands of the Peoples party,
had met with storm of opposition in his homc
in Olathe, Kans., where a public indignation
meeting was held under the auspices of the w
c. T. u, and on Mr.. ST. John appearing he
was greeted by such storm of indignation that
he was forced to beat hasty retreat. The New
York Voice telegraphcd to Mr.. H. E. Tracy,
the secretary of the meeting in question, for
facts Here is Mr.. Tracys answer:
Ex-Governor St. Johns action was in har-
mony with our stringent prohibtory law. He
in no sense lowered the standard of prohibition.
The lying, sensational dispatch sent out through
the Associated Press was an inexcusable out
rage upon the Governor. 1t insults the very
large number of our best citizens who heartily
indorse his action, which to sustain and up
hold our prohibitory law. d. uggists p rinits
are issued under the most rigid restrictions
lists and Endorsed by the w. c.. 7. u, and all
that Governor St. John and the large number of
others of our best citizens did was to require
druggists to handle their liquors in strict com
pliance with the law. There was no indgna-
ton meeting, no Kissing, and no forcing Gov
ernor ST. John to retire. The meeting of Sun-
day was not under the auspices of the w. c.
II. U. There is probably behind this all a
streak of contemplate politics. While l and
others may differ with him, the people of Kan
sas have full faith in Governor St. John.
This press report is fair sample of the SLAM
derous falsehOods constantly sent broadcast over
the country for the purpose of njuring Peoples
party leaders ana champions of peoples rights.
Doubtless millions of persons who have read
this outrageous caluinny will never see its con-
tradction. When Governor St. John threw his
lot in with the people and fought the gold pow
er during the Mckinley administration, he won
the cordial hate of many Republicans, who are
content to be echoes of the paid tools of the
trusts, monopolies and the banks, These per-
sons. as well as those why make business of
trying to njure every able man who can not be
sienced by place money, have spent much
time in villifying the grand old standard-be bearer
of humanity. This calumny however, is
compliment to the Ex-Governor.
B. O. FLOWER.