The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-02-04
Mr.. EMERSON,S SIDE.
a. Discussion Of the Temperance Com
missioner Plan

missioner Plan.
TO the Editor Of the State Journal.
on behalf Of the Hon. a. c. Rankin.
Of Chicago, and those who have sup
ported the state temperance commits
sioner movement in the state, I desire
I'm the first place would call attention
To say just a few words 10 your readers.
to the fact that a committee has been
appointed at the request of Mr.. Steph-
ems for an investigation. We had de-
clded to wait for the action or such
committee. and are willing to abide by
their judgment and decision. 1t seems
however, that Mr.. Stephens and the 9TH
ers concerned are not willing SO to do
in the State Journal and also the Daily
Capital have appeared statements of MI
kirkpatrick. a representative of the
Rlnion, which TO say the least are mis-
leading and unjust. In the latter paper
this has been strengthened by a couple
of editorials which are also misleading
in their character The policy all along
OF the opposition has been first to
'tstraddle." and then to choke Off all the
points at issue and summarfIy stamp out
all agitation Of the question The ex-
ecutive committee last spring voted mot
10 condemn. neither to endorse" the
commissioners idea Did that mean what
At purported to mean or not? Tt seems
not as from that time on a bitter war
has been waged against those who
pushed the matter. and who according
There are two sides to this question,
and all we have ever asked has been
for a fair and open discussion of the
matter. Mr.. Rankin is a gentleman, and
so far as sacrifice and devotion to the
temperance cause is concerned is the
peer Of any man in Kansas or the Unit
ed States. Mr.. Rankin is the represen-
tative Of the American Ants Saloon
league the greatest organization against
the liquor traffic in the country today
We have been charged with dividing the
union. but we have kept silent at all
times except when absolutely necessary
to defend ourselves, and all the division
existing has come from repeated at
lacks upon the movement in general.
We have made many concessions in the
interests OF harmony. but do not believe
1t is right to submit to the dictation Of
m few bosses
We are in sympathy with the State
Temperance union work. but contend
that these representations do not COM
port with the spirit Of the union The
fact that a resolution sent to the COM
Tnittee on resolutions was buried offered
again as an amendment to the report,
and in spite Of the pettifOgging and fill
clustering on the part Of those opposed.
carried by a vote OF more than two to
one by the delegates to the convention.
endorsing the commissioner scheme
ought TO count for something, and dis
proves the statement that the rank ana
file Of the union are opposed to this
measure
lie question now IS. VIII those VINO
are at the head OF the union carry out
the expressed wish OF the delegates to
the convention. or try to evade taking
action2 We contend that an officer Of
the State Temperance union is under
Just as great obligation to carry out the
VIII or the people in convention assem-
bled as the officers of the law to enforce
the laws and carry out the will Of their
constituency. a. breach Of duty or con-
hdence in this respect ID as despicRble
IN one as in the other.
As TO Mr.. kirkpatrick, have always
considered him a gentleman. but his
'tbeautifuI' adjectives do not overcome
the fact that the scurrilous personal at
tack is uncalied for and beneath the dig
nifty of a true gentleman. The fact is
that no charges have ever by myself or
Mr.. Rankin been made against Mr..
Stephens personally, and had not the
.'hush" policy been pursued in the con-