The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-09-25
MINcE NO WORDS.
Independent Forces Hold Meet
ing 1t the Auditorium.
+. F. Carver Reviews the Sitna-
tion in Shawnee.
ARRAIGNS MR.. NICHOLS
Says He Has Been Tried and
Found Wanting.
]. w. Gleed Discusses the En-
f0rcement Of Law.
ARRAIGNS MR.. NICHOLS

It was fortunate for Galen Nichols.
county attorney of Shawnee county.
that. he was one of the speakers at =
Republican meeting at Rfchland Wed
nesday evening: in fguratfve way ne
perhaps ever was administered an Of
fcer of this county. by the speakers at
the Independent meeting held in the
Auditorium Every one or the men VINO
addressed the gathering of 1000 people
took occasion in one way or another to
apply the sca1pel to Mr.. Nichols for his
neglect of duty In enforcing the prohipi-
tory law.
The Topeka Capital. too. was included
in the excoriation because OF Its sup
port OF Nichols; a boom was given to
the candidacy of Judge T. f. Carver
for mayor of the city; and as climax
to the meeting the Independent candt-
dates, r. NJ. Stahl and L. A. Stebbins,
appeared and briefly told what they
might do If elected to the offices OF
sheriff and county attorney, respec-
lively.
the opening number by the Washburn
quartette, made an address laying out
the grounds upon which Republicans
had seen fit to bolt the candidates for
county attorney and sheriff. Party,
said Judge Carver, lis a necessity. But
there comes a time when the one who
cracks the party lash is a menace 10
good government. It matters very little
what party is IN power II II only repre-
sents the best that there is in govern
ment. We all have our political afhlia-
tions, and to a certain extent we are
partisans. I confess to being partisan
Republican. My first presidential vote
was cast for Grant, my last for McKin-
ley, and l expect my next to be Tor
Roosevelt. I never have scratched the
Republican ticket, but challenge any
they can compel me to do what as
self-respecting American citizen l
should not do. If every rogue is to be
supported by the Republicans. then you
ard is held up, and we are told that we
are not good Republicans"
Here Judge Carver quoted saying OF
President Roosevelt which had been
painted on large banner at the rear
of the stage: No man has a right to
condone crime. to excuse the moral
shortcomings of any kind because of
alleged party necessity.
I'VE have many men," he went on,
who are put in office to serve YOU
And when a man is put in office he has
no right to hesitate and question that
there is but one thing for him to do
and that is for him to do his duty The
law is very plain and is easy of fulfill
are some things almost comical if it
were not such a serious matter to the
people. I have just come in from the
western part of the state and every
"
pie of Shawnee county are going to do.
Our officers are like imbeciles and cow
ards. And SO what the citizens of the
county and the city of Topeka do will
be heard by the people of the state.
and they hook here to see whether the
people purpose to stand by such men
and be whipped into line to vote for a
man who is corrupt even though he be a
Republican. There is ore candidate, the
candidate for county attorney who has
had an opport unity to show what he can
de- He has failed He has evinced no
desire to do his duty. In the Capital
Mission township he is quoted as say
ing: 1t is not my business 10 Icok up
evidence Ii he doesn't know what his
duties are 1T is time for him to give up
his office and let somebody else have a
chance
Judge Carver then read the statute,
placing particular stress upon that
phrase in which the county attorney is
required to enforce the prohibitory law
1.-The newspapers" continued the judge,
ARE telling the stories of crime every
day. And even Mr.. Nichols has to hold
his nose as he passes before these
places. Who ever heard of Mr.. Nichols
issuing a subpoenea-Oh.I believe he did
good deal amused when picked up the
Capital in Salina this morning and
found an editorial saying that Mr..
Nichols would show diligence in the en-
doesn't he show diligence now and not
wait? A man who is seeking office
hasn't much to go on except promises
and Nic.ols hasn't even that. He
elect me I will do it. Today is the day
of salvation and we should do some
thing. We should remember above all
things that we are American citizens .
Judge Carver said in the recent prim-
airy elections it had been proven to him
that the primary election plan was the
greatest fraud ever perpetrated upon
| the people yet they say" he said, 1--WE
must swallow the ticket they nominate.
/ like the kind of Republican doctrine
right to ask us to vote for man sim
/ ply because he is a Republican. Hon
MR.. GLEED SPEAKS.
| ]. w, Gleed was then introduced and
! in the strongest speech of the evening
denounced in the most severe language
| County Attorney Nichols and the morn
ing paper for it's support of him. He
said that the Capital had been in times
past good clean paper But just now
| it was in the race for state printer and
could not afford to antagonize the party
organization.
Shawnee county," said Mr.. Gieed in op.
| ening There are those who want the
tlaw enforced and the constitution re.
spected; the second class is of thost
who want the law rejected and the con
lstitution spit upon I am here to tall
to those OF the first class To you Of
the second class f. there. are any here
u can't say anything. To you who IA
Ivor the respecting of the constitution
land the enforcement of law / shall pre-
sent two propositions: First, that TIL
laws will not enforce themselves I
they would we should need only a legis
lature; no courts. no executive or 1udic
lia1 branches of government. Ny secon'
proposition contains the gist and es
sence of what have to say. Laws hav
no force unless officials have desir
THAT they be enforced. The underlying
motive which actuates those Official
may vary: one may desire 1t from tn
highest motive and another may desir
lit from q narrower motive. Now whel
1--WE desire that the law be nuHif1ed, the
Qualification follows. The law neces
tsarily presumes in the heart of an ON
Icer something of decency and patriot
lam. No law can protect you agains
traitors: they are to be handled by tn
l