The Topeka state journal., 1901-02-22
BOWERsOCK's ESTIMATE.
While He Is Loyal to Kansas He De-
plores Her Many vagaries.

Washington, d. c., Feb. 22.-Editorial
comment in a Kansas paper has prompt
ed from Congressman J. D. BoweTsoek,
OF the Lawrence district, a vigorous ex-
preston on the Nation crusade. A state
Tnent that Burton, Rowersock and 9TH
ers outside Of the state are condemning
Mrs. Nation" has gained some circuIa-
tion. 1t had its origin in a collection Of
interviews with the Kansas delegation il
congress. Mr.. BOwersock was nisquO-
ted He has come clearly defined opin-
ions upon the subject which is engaging
the minds of Kansas people, and this ev-
enfng he set them forth in plain speech.
As usual, the Lawrence member does not
hesitate to declare the line sharply be-
tween the conditions commendab1e and
the vagaries to be regretted in the peo-
pie Of his state.
4 point TO a comparatively long life,
public and private. in evidence of my
practice" Mr.. Bowersock said in an
swer to the comments Of the Kansas edi-
tor
Il am opposed to the sale and use Of
intoxicating liquors as a beverage. If
it would cure drunkenness,I I would favor
the most drastic measure against the
sale or use of liquor. I have no desire
to shield the 'jOintist' or tbootlegger One
trouble with the radical reforrner is that
ne Is inclined to doubt the motives of all
who do not fully agree with his method
i have 10 language strong enough to de-
piet my abhorrence OF the crime charged
dS SdtA1ol the II<il WHO was the victim
the Leavenworth mob. If I do not ap-
prove Of the methods Of the mob, may I
therefore be suspected of being in SYM
pathy with the crime or the criminal
Being away from Kansas and in WaSf.-
ington only strengthens my appreciation
Of and respect for Sobriety and temper
ance. and leads me to more earnestlv
desire to do anything honest, reasonable
and practicable to create a temperance
sentiment. But being in washington
leads me to know what is really thought
of my state, the first thought of conserv-
ative. earnest men, those who are guid-
ing for veal or for woe the destinies OF
our country. This thought was terselv
expressed by three words in a leading
editorial in one of the metropolitan Re-
publican papers Of the United States
Our freak reservation
L will stand up for Kansas Mr.
BoWersock continued "and the great
good that is in her and has come ont of
her, before all the world if need be but
l will not approve of her vagaries, nor
defend those whose acts belittle her high
motives and bring her into contempt. It
is an unfortunate thing for a coranl-
nifty TO become notorious through EQUIV
ocal acts in support of a good cause
Continued bad advocacy of good DrfYl-
ciDles VIII bring into disrepute the thing
advocated and the advocate. I love nv
state-I am proud Of her, and endeavor
to honor her. l want to make all the re-
turn 1 can for the honor Kansas has
conferred on me. But l am very far
from being proud of the seeming fact
that our state is the hotbed for i'm
practicables- Many sound, practical and
business like propositions are weakened
when It is known that they come from
Kansas man. All the other states have
'cranks' and freaks but they are not in
evidence all the time; now and then they
retire to the seclusion and safety of the
cyclone cellar
But in our great state there is some
thing in heredi-y and environment-fn
the air it may be-tllat enables the peri
patetic Teformer to keep in the saddle
and in the eye of the people all Of the
time. Except for this fact Kansas
would have increased more than 3 per
cent. IN population during the past ten
years. Except for this condition land
per acre in Kansas row that it was ten
years ago. Except for this state Of
affairs the credit Of our state 1nunici-
palities and people, and respect for our
constitution and judicial reports would
be as high as III any state in our union.
II shall offer no apology for the real
Kansas-the state which sent the 1arg-
est percentage of soldiers to the civil
war: that has the largest per cent Of
school enrolment and the lowest q init
eracy; the state that sent tie gallant
Twentieth Kansas to the Philfppfnas
every man in the regiment being able
to read and wlitei the state that inven-
toried in 1900 more than $3.50 0OG 600
worth Of farm products. / submit how
ever, that most all Of this was made
possible by the man with the hoe. and
not by the woman with the Ratchet
do not lose sight Of nor fail to give full
credit to the noble. self-sacrificin al
ways honored and ever blessed wives
and mothers without whose heroic
efforts. benign influence and pure home
life Kansas wo I'D still be the home of
only the four-foOted coyote
II VIII continue" said Mr. Rowersock
in conclusion, -to plead and strive most
earnestly for 2 return to true quiet.
peaceful, steady. practical common
sense, sober business ways, a return to
the road that leads to stability, progress.
to real prosperity. to contented homes,
to the respect Of our sister states ana
the confidence Of the best people Of our
land"