The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-01-12
SAID 1T WAS A FRAUD
StanIey's Message on the MetroPOli
tan COmuii sion.

tan Commission.
That portion of W. z. Stanley's message
per. aiming to prohibition. as published in
the Eagle yesterday was incomplete. 1t
is given below in full:
For eighteen years the prohibition Of
the manufacture and sale of intoxicating
liquors has been the settled policy Of this
| state, but the enforcement Of this law
| has been attended with Indifferent sue
cess. The difficulty Of the situation has
| been made a political rather than an econ
omic question. This perversion of the Ques-
| ton has resulted in such a condition that,
in Kansas, prohibition and temperance are
not synonymous. The misfortune of pro-
hibit:on is that it has largely been made
political question every two years, to
| lapse during long intervals, only to be re-
habilitated and brought into use at each
recurring election, for political purposes.
The result of the last two general cleo
| tioLs in Kansas demons rated that, as a
purely political question, it has about run
its course. AS an economic question it is
EMIT et to a nu.h more serious consider
alton. and ought to command our earnest
| attention.
"As the law now stands, It is hardly
| profitable to discuss whether prohibition
is wise or unwise. Many of our best cl7i-
zens differ on this proposition but prohi-
| b;tlon is the policy of our state, a part
of our fundamental law, supplemented by
| legislative enactment, and the enforce
| ment of this law is entirely outside the
| pale Of discussion. The talk, that it is
better than other laws and different meth
DDS should be resorted to for the enforce
ment OF it. is i1le. Tie talk, that it shoull
be disregarded and that officers should
tacitly if not openly consent to its viola
ton, is vicious. All laws should nave an
honest enforcement, the prohi9itory law no
more and no less than other laws, and the
present administration stands scusrely
and rneqrivocally in favor of tae enforce
ment of all laws, the prohibitory law in No
wise excepted. Heretofore the executive de-
partment has been IN a measure char &c
with the enforcement of this law in cities
Of the first-class, and many honest and
| vigorous attempts have been made Ey some
Of my predecessors to accomplish this pur-
pose. These attempts have in a large
measure resulted in failure, and whatever
| may be the reason, the failure has been
largely attributed 70 the METROPOLITAN
police system. Withoat discussing the
| reasons, it can be stated as a fact that the
metropolitan police system has teen a
failure, and in more recent years 4 scan
dial and disgrace. The Influence of :bese
failures has to a certain extent reached
many other communities, so that at this
time the prohibitory law IS nor successfully
| enforced. The metropolitan police system
| has failed to meet the expectation of its
| friends and its abolition meets with my
| approval. The end of this system will
| place the enforcement of this law in the
hands of the people. through the judges
county attorneys, sheriffs and constables
elected by them. a reasonable number Of
citizens in any community can secure the
enforcement of any law with reasonable
certainty.
81 have great faith in the people. TIL.
abolition of the metropolitan police system
leaves the enforcement of the Drohibitor1
law. like the enforcement Of other laws, il
their hands. through the agency of the
local officers. and there I am willing t
leave it for an honest trial"
On the special session this appeared il
Governor Stanley's message. but was no
printed in yesterdays Eagle:
"On the 18th day of December last m!
predecessor issued his proclamation con
vening the legislature in special session.
The constitution provides that the gov
ernor may, on extraordinary occasions
> convene the legislature by proclamation.
is hardly necessary to say that at the tim,
of the issuance of the proclamation Il,
such extraordinary occasion existed.
The most liberal interpretation that car
be given 10 these words is that they NEAR
4 pressing necessity. II any necessity ex
!sted for legislative action on the 18th GA,
Of December, 1875, II existed with equa
force during the last regular session. an,
would have existed with equal force a
the converting Of the legislature in regu
lar session less than thirty days after
ward.
NO intelligent person can be delude.
into the belief that an extraordinary occa
sion was the real cause for calling II,
members Of the legislature together.
The convocation of the legislature sucl
a short time before the regular session
] and such a short time after the ne9DI
had rendered their verdict Is violation @
the spirit if not the letter Of the consi.u
ton. TO perform legislative acts evervon
& OF which would be OF doubtful validity
was establishing a dangerous preceIsn
ana was a menace 20 the cause of popu,a
5 government.
There Is a widespread sentiment tia
the 'ai -ns Of the special session was no
within the limitations Of the constitution
II this should hereafter prove 10 be true
then all The laws passed at such &esslo
: would De unconstitutional and void. an
the issuance Of the proclamation stan
without justification or excuse
The ready response of the members q
tie legislature 20 tae caI II the -ovslno
, was great compliment 10 that body. al
: q strong illustration n ,he adaota3'.i-
az cur system. o. government 10 chaasin
conditions. = large uumbe7-if nor. = ia
e ]e'it9-of the members did uot believe i
the Wi 3om a extra session and 6ss 70
. think The extraordinary occasion mention
D ed il the constitution existed: and ye
mis- coordinate branch Of the state GOV
Z eminent gave prompt obedience TO IN
o / proclamation Of the executive. Welded II
. own viii and ooeyed the cau within,