The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-01-30

interests of the nation in every way
possible, to maintain progressive pol
icy, which the Republican party does.
Three of those who were on the pro-
gramne were not present. They were
John Randolph of Pittsburg, who was
to have responded to "a Roll CALI E.
A. Mcfarland of Lincoln, whose sub
ject was 1.-The Good of Evil and Geo.
P. Hayden of Wetmore, who was to
have spoken on "Americanism and Re-
publicanism.'
T. Davenport Smith, of the state uni
versity, spoke on The Return of the
Prodigal," and F. L. Williams, of Clay
Center, gave "A Prediction" Mr.. VIII
liams' address aroused more comment
than any during the evening. 1t was
along the line of prohibition, and he
criticised the Republican party severely
for its stand on the temperance question
during recent years.
I'm adopting the prohibitory amend
ment to the constitution the people of
Kansas declared themselves against the
liquor traffic. They made it constitu-
tional so that each succeeding legisla-
ture could not change it. Laws were
enacted to carry out the will Of the
people, and for a time they were enforc-
ed. Now, however, it is different Hard
ly a town in the state is without its sa-
loon. and they are called saloons, too, IN
many places. They have come down
from the second stories and occupy
front rooms with no other barrier than
painted windows and the inevitable
screen.
1.-THE saloons of Kansas are now prac-
ticalIy unrestrained- They do not even
have the high license restraint of other
states. Such a condition OF analrS
should not be. The laws on our sta
tute books should either be enforced or
they should be repealed. Ignoring one
law teaches people to disregard others.
There has been but little temperance
agitation since the prohibitory law has
been enacted, temperance people
have depended upon that to do the
<fxrka1 in
active, while the jointists are organized
and create the impression that they
are a strong power.
THE Popuiists neglected to enforce
the law and the Republicans have been
guilty of the same indifference. OF re-
cent years the Republican party has
been afraid to do it's duty by declaring
for the enforcement of the law, and it
has no right to criticise the Populist
party for not doing what it was afraid
to do.
Governor Stanley has had the cour-
age to say what his party was afraid to
put into its platform, for he said in
his inaugural address that all laws
must be equally enforced The I'M
checked license of the saloon power
during the past few years is bound to
bring a reaction upon itself and the
time is speedily coming when the tenn
perance forces will mass themselves
and drive the drink demon from the
state.
when all these forces work together
our state will enter q new era Then we
shall not blush and apologize for laws
violated, but with saloons banished and
homes protected we may turn with pride
to the states and nations of the world and
ask them follow after u.s.
Governor Stanley was to have responded
to the last toast of the banquet. THE In
dividuaI and the State but account
of the cold and i'll health he was COM
PEELED to leave earlier in the evening. The
last toast, therefore, was by Silas Porter
of Kansas City, Kan, who spoke about
IAN Extra ordinary Occasion
Mr.. Porter's address was humorous He
gave his conception of Governor I1eedy's
idea of special session and referred to
the retirement of the PopuIist party in
phrase which of course brought Republi-
can applause as he said: '=Unwept. Union
ored and unhung." In closing he pro-
posed a toast Ito the president of the
United StateS.I