The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-05-07
A NATION PARTY.
One VIII Be Organized i'm
Topeka.
Followers of Saloon Smasher
Behind Movement.
ARE NOT SATISFIED.
Actions of the Old Parties Are
Unsatisfactory.
Meeting Will Be Held Tonight
to Discuss Situation.

A movement is on foot in Topeka to
organize new political party along re-
form lines. The cause is being cham
pioned by people who have been asso-
ciated with Mrs. Carrie Nation.
One Of the prominent local leaders in
the new movement, Mrs. J. p. White, of
Tenth and Kansas avenues, yesterday
afternoon called on DR.. Eva Harding
to interest her in the cause.
When the new party comes into
power the little band of the faithful who
have been energetic workers in it's
cause will naturally be rewarded with
the best offices in it's gift. the same as
is the case with other parties. This was
one of the ideas Mrs White tried to
impress upon DR.. Harding. She also
endeavored to show DR.. Harding that
she would make a mistake if she did
not join hands with the others in the
beginning of the new movement. DR..
Harding was assured that if she chose
to join forces with leaders now, she
would eventually be given one of the
high positions.
DR.. Harding answered that she had
very little faith in the scheme, and that
she thought she would not bother her
self in championing reform movement
where the scope was so extended as
that proposed by the leaders of the new
party.
Whereupon Mrs. White became angry
and impaired the information that they
didn't want Dr. Harding in the party
anyway
A State Journal reporter attempted
this morning to learn something of the
plans for the proposed new party. It
seems that the work has been outlined
and talked of in the secret councils for
some time, but that the plans for its
final launching have not yet been fully
matured
''As far as anything definite is con-
cerned," said Rev. J. G. Stewart who
came here recently to work with Mrs
Nation, from Monmouth, Ill, Il have
nothing to say.
Since coming to the state of Kansas
I have met the temperance leaders of all
parties and classes, and together with
what I know of the situation in Iowa
and Illinois and over the United States
generally, 1 am satisfied that the time
has arrived for a uniting of all the re-
form forces of the state and nation on
one broad comprehensive platform.
which shall enbody all the reform princi-
pies
There is marked and widespread
restlessness and dissatisfaction with ref
erence to existing conditions as mani
Tested in the increasing lawlessness. IN
temperance, monopolistic oppression,
Sabbath desecration and other forms of
vice. The people are satisfied that ex-
isting parties are unable or unwilling
to thoroughly remedy this, even in Kan
leagues, because of the fact that ma
tional party success as dictated by the
liquor league and other giant organized
evils viii not permit it. OF course local
party leaders are Influenced by the ma
tional party interests
'HThe Republican party as a whole is
a high license party. Because of these
conditions the Democratic party EsSS for
the same reason declared against all
sumptuary laws.
1.-THE Populist party where it has had
an opportunity to enact and enforce
prohibitory laws has signally failed. And
this is no doubt, one of the chief causes
of the great falling away of their vote at
the last election.
mo party deliberately invites defeat
The leaders of the dominant political
party, be it state or national, believe
that to make prohibition of the liquor
traffic and other vital reforms a chief
plank in their platform with the full
determination to carry out its prin-
ciples would be to invite certain defeat.
And there is no reasonable expectation
that they will undertake anything along
this line.
Hence the call and necessity for a
great reform party which will unite
all the reform forces and sweep the
country.
strong and appropriate name would be
the Home Rule party. Some have sug-
gested Home Defenders but to my
mind Home Rule is the stronger. since
another thing to rule the nation in the
interest Of the homes and the native
land"
The leaders will hold a secret confer
ence in the city tonight. No one would
talk upon this subject, however, and it
was impossible to learn where the meet
ing is to be held or what plans are to be
discussed.