The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-01-21
HUGHES AND MINISTERS
Persistent Candidate For Mayor
Explains "SOme Things

Col. J. w. f. Hughes. who il trying
To have some one father his candidacy
for mayor Of the city Of Topeka appear
ed before the members Of the Ministerial
union this morning at the Y. NJ c. A.
parlors to explain some Of the unjust
stories which have been circulated about
him.
The meeting was about to adjourn
when the announcement was made that
Mr. Hughes was below and that he
would like to say a few words In self
defense before the ministers Of the city
He was allowed to 40 so. He said: Il
am told that stories have circulated
among you that ] am in favor or hlSn
license. and that If elected L viii license
the joints. You realize that it is a iaud-
able purpose. this of suing for the posi-
ton of mayor, and 1 want to stand IN
the right light before you There mas
been SO much fragrance in the enforce
ment Of the laws that it cannot help
but be a hard undertaking, but VIII
do all in my power 10 do away with the
dens Of iniquity. II believe that in ac-
cepting that office one should wipe out
their own individuality and go IN 10
enforce the laws as they are found on
the statute books I don't ask for your
support as a body but I will be law
enforcement candidate and a good
word spoken by any of you may add a
little to my chances of being elected to
the place.
After Mr.. Hughes finished, Rev. J.
ID. Mcfarland said he wished to ask q
few questions and prefaced his remarks
hy saying that ne wanted 10 see a cam
didate whose personal and profound
convictions were in sympathy with the
prohibition cause. He felt that more
could be expected and more accomplish
ed that way than under any other cir
cumstances. He first asked Mr. Hughes
how he stood on the matter from per-
sOnal standpoint
Tr al e1v
question. though he said in open coun-
Gil two years ago that he is a resub-
missiOnist He stated with emphasis
that he voted Tor prohibition when ne
cast his first vote ~ years ago and that
he had voted for prohibition at every
opportunity he had since that time He
also assured the ministerial union that
If the question OF reSubmlSSiOn should
ever come up in the legislature that he
would fight it as an official of the city il
he was elected. but failed to say wheth-
er he personally favored a prohibition
administration
He was also questioned about his vote
on the search and seizure ordinance
which was passed two years ago.
Mr. Hughes said. II am glad you
mentioned that. An injustice is done
me in that connection He went on then
to explain that he was a member Of the
committee that had that ordinance I'M
der consideration, and that the chair
man of the committee came to him
with the recommendation which had the
signatures of the other memb ers of the
committee. that 1t be not passed. and
that he signed with the others without
reading the ordinance. This did not ex-
plain, however his bitter and rampant
speech against the ordinance when it
first came up.
Mr.. Hughes also explained that he
was southern man and that it was of
course unusual for a southern man to be
a prohibitionist, but that he had voted
for prohibition.
The union adjourned without taking