The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-11-01
KLONDIKE EXPOSURE.
State Temperance Union Disclains
Partisan Motives.

The Republican politicians charge
that the State Temperance union is
working in the interests OF John Breid-
enthal for governor This charge IS
based upon a recent report made BY the
union concerning the conditions in the
Klondike district at Leavenworth.
This report shows II saloons running
wide open; Is dfsorderly houses; low
dives and gambling sdens. and that the
conditions along the-Pilze road are sim
liar
The Republicans charge the union
with making this report for partisan
affect. This is emphatically denied by
the officers. 1t has also been charged
that this investigation Of the Klondize
by q man representing the union was
made in response to a demand by Pop
ulist campaign managers and that the
publication OF the report was for the
purpose Of antagonizing the reelection
of Governor Stanley
Questioned today concerning the rea-
sons for this recent investigation, Secre-
tary T. T. stephens Of the union, said
to State Journal reporter.
I'VE could not help ourselves. We
have simply yielded to a pressure which
has been brought to bear upon the State
Temperance union from every part OF
the state. demanding that the union in
vesugate and make public before cleo
ton the conditions existing at the Klon-
dixie at the present time
Secretary Stephens also declares that
a larger number OF Republicans than
Populists have been demanding the re-
cent investigation, and that the demand
has also come from large number OF
independent voters.
But was not the unions Investiga-
ton instigated. at least in part, by the
POpuISt members Of. the executive com
mittees or by some one in close touch
with Bre1denrhaIS campaign for pOlit-
cal purpOses2" asked the reporter.
mo. sir, replied Secretary Stephens
enphatically. 1T was not No Popuiist
member Of the committee ever suggest
ed it. and do not know that they even
thought OF it. No Populist member Of
the committee, and no one connected
either closely or remotely with the
whatever about the investigation until
it had been made.
Neither was it made for partisan
purposes The union Is not fighting Gov
eruor Stanley, nor any one connected
with his administration. Nevertheless,
It is the general feeling of the mem bers
OF the union throughout the state that
the law has not been enforced not only
in the KIondi1e, but in many other To-
caIties. as vigorously as the governor
and attorney general had il in their
power to enforce III. =
What effect will this have on the
election2" was asked.
Il do not pretend to say. The union
has been careful t0s keep itself aIOof
from party politics. and I do not care
to be quoted on this point. The union
does not presume TO dictate how its
members shall vote It always COM
mends honest and upright officials, re-
gardiess of their party afhliation. and so
far as officials whom it can not COM
mend are concerned it simply places the
facts which exist as to the result Of
their failure or neglect before its mem
bers and leaves each individual voter
to cast his ballot according to his own
conscience and judgment in the matter.
To go this far is its duty: to go farther
would open it TO the charge of becoming
q partisan organization