The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-01-10

largely pursued, but they have not
bridged the difficulties. Laws passed in
the heated discussion of partisan con-
troversy are often defective, sometimes
unconstitutional. Remedies through
the courts are generally tedious and ex-
pensive, and frequently inadequate to
meet the case; and especially is this
true where the Determinations are
made in matters of state commerce, and
consequently, matters over which our
local courts have no control But in all
matters of state commerce the state
has very great powers of regulation and
control.
The benefits and obligations accruing
to and resting upon the state and the
railroads are dependent and mutual
Each desires the largest advantage pos
sible consistent with the rights of the
other, and however and whenever the
difference is adjusted it must be done on
the basis of the reciprocal rights of the
parties.
The new 1aw-just passed at the spe-
cia1 sessions entitled to a fair trial.
If called into use for the purpose of en-
forcing rights or redreSSing wrongs 1T
is hoped that ats provisions may be
ample; but 1 would expect better re-
suits if an honest attempt should be
made to adjust matters along friendly
lines, legal methods being resorted to
only when friendly methods fail. 1 am
satisfied that the people are fair and
will meet the railroad companies half
way. II Cne managers OF the TallTOdQ
companies are willing to have an equit-
able adjustment of the difficulties which
exist, 1 have no doubt that the repre-
sentatives of the people will be equally
willing to meet them on the basis or
fairness, and I think we could accom-
pliSh in two years of effort in this di-
rection, more than we have accomplish
ed in a decade of strife and conten-
ton.
PROHIBITION.
For eighteen years the prohibition of
the manufacture and sale of fntOx1cat-
ing liquors has been the settled policy
of this state, but the enforcement of
this law has been attended with indif-
ferent success. The difficulty of the
situation has been owing largely to the
fact that prohibition has been made a
political rather than an economic queS-
ton. This perversion of the question has
resulted in such a condition that IN Kan
has prohibition and temperance are not
synonymous. The misfortune of proh1-
bition is that it has largely been made a
political question every two years, to
lapse during long intervals, only to be
rehab ilitated and brought into use at
each recurring election, for political
purposes.
The result of the last two general
elections in Kansas demonstrated that,
as a purely political question, it has
about run it's course. AS an economic
question it is entitled to a much more
serious consideration, and ought to
command our earnest attention.
AS the law now StanQS, 1t Is ndTQly
profitable to discuss whether prohibition
is wise or unwise. Many of our best
citizens differ on this proposition, but
prohibition is the policy of our state,
a part of our fundamental law, supple
mented by legislative enactment, and
the enforcement of this law is entirely
outside the pale of discussion. The talk,
that it is better that other laws and
different methods should be reSorted to
for the enforcement of it, is idle. The
talk that it should be disregarded and
that officers should tacitly if not open
ly consent to it's violation, is vicious
All laws should have an honest enforce
ment the prohibitory law no more and
no less than other laws, and the pres
ent administration stands Square1y and
unequiVocally in favor of the enforce
ment of all laws, the prohibitory law
in no wise excepted. Heretofore the
executive department has been in a
measure charged with the~enforcement
of this law in cities of the first class,
and many honest and vigorous attempts
have been made by some of my prede-
,cessors to accomplish this purpose.
These attempts have in large measure
resulted in failure, and whatever may
be the reason, the failure has been
largely attributed to the metropolitan
police system. Without discussing the
reasons, it can be stated as fact that
the metropolitan police system has been
a failure, and in more recent years a
scandal and a disgrace. The influence
of these failures has to a. certain extent
that at this time the prohibitory law is
not successfully enforced. The metro
politan police system has failed to meet
the expectations of it's friends and its
abolition meets with my approval. The
end of this system will place the en-
forcement of this law in the hands of
the people through the judges, county
attorneys, sheriffs and constables elect
citizens in any community can secure
the enforcement of any law with rea-
Sonable certainty.
1 have great faith in the people The
abolition of the metropolitan police sys-
tenn leaves the enforcement of the pro-
hibitory law, like the enforcement of
other laws, in their hands, through the
agency of the local officers, and there
am willing to leave it for an honest
trial.
INSURANCE.
Our insurance laws afford ample pro-
lection to our people, and their honest
enforcement is much to be desired. The
law gives the commissioner the right
to make an examination of the books,
| assets and business of all companies do
ing business in the state, either himself
or by his agents, for the purpose of
determining the solvency of such COM
panies and the wisdom of permitting
| them to do business in this state No
fixed charge is provided for this service
| and no report of such examination is
required to be filed. The law should fix
| the charges for such examinations, and
require Iull reports OF Ill GAdIuIIdllOuS
| to be made and filed, that the public
may have some knowledge of the char
| acter and result of such examinations
All insurance companies, orders and
| societies of any kind doing insurance
| business in the state should be placed
under the charge of the insurance de-
| partment.
| BANKS.
| The information furnished in the re-
| port of the bank commissioner is very
| gratifying. Our state banks are becom-
| ing more secure than ever, and their
| condition affords reason for congratula-
/ ton.
| 1 heartily concur in the recommends
| ton of the commissioner that building