The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-02-25
WAGGENER' S MEASURE.
His Homicide Bill Discussed by the
Washington Post.

The following editorial appears in the
Washington Post under the heading
What's the Matter with Kansas p
This query was prOpounded some years
ago by a particularly brilliant Kansas
journalist and Iterateur who. in the
same breath, replied 10 IT with a force
ful grace that won applause in every
quarter of the land There was nothing
the matter with Kansas at that time.
unless great. big fearless and yet
sensitive Amerlcanism be discreditab BILE
But yesterday is not today What are
we to think of this proposition, gravely
made in the legislature Of a state once
famous fer sUnhowerss innocence and
peace?
Special to the World
Topeka Feb Is.-B- p Waggener intro
duced al measure IL The house today max
by a person il defense Of the reputation
or character Of any member Of MS or her
eve need law like this Mr. Waggen-
er said. There is too much SANDER upon
innocent persons in this country If a
man has a legal right to exercise his nat
ural right of shooting the scoundrsl that
attempts 90 drag the nanae Of his wife or
will clear M materially The proposed law
VIII result in either the destruction or the
reformation Of he-gossips
OF course, Mr. Waggeners proposition
has a certain specious. not to say gaudys
attraction. After all. it really is IN
pleasant to have your wife. daughter.
sister. or sweetheart Slandered IN the
public prints. prosecuted by anonymous
letter writer's disparaged in clubs and
drawing rooms. and insulted on the
streets by Washers These things hap
pen constantly. and your recourse Is he
police court or personal encounter
with bare fists We often hear about
the noble society youth who blacks the
eye of a beetle drowned ruffian or chas-
tises the sneakng defamer in the pres
ence of delighted and acclaiming null
mighty fine But suppose You happen 10
weigh about rs pounds. to have dry
cough. and TO be weak about the waist
and iii the kuees2 What then2 " ny the
defamer. as the case may be. takes YOU
By the scruff of the neck and beats YOU
into a Jelly. while the intelligent by
ISLANDERS call you a villain and tell the
other man to sock il to him You are
an honOra ole. high-minded gentleman.
home. assailed the fair fame Of your
wife. daughter or sister. and made your
life unbearable- sVVaggers of amid the
plaudits of the mob while you are
hauled away IN the hospital ambulance,
followed by shouts OF Tuerrimeut and
iaers Of contempt To be sure, you have
an alternative. You can. if that seems
better have your man up before mag
istrate In that case. however. he VIII
demand a jury. and his hired shyster
will humiliate your wife. daughter. or
sister with insulting heterogeneous,
while the magistrate grins and the au-
dience give way to every manifestation
of approval and delight.
Mr. Waggener seems to think it would
be more satisfactory TO shoot the Of
fender Apparently. he regards that so-
luton Of the problem as possessing Ger
tain qualities of civilization Dear. dear!
What is Kansas coming TO when such
things can be discussed openly by hon
est meu2 But Mr.. Waggener makes no
mistake when he saws that the shotgun
viii put an end TO scandal and defana-
ton Tt always does-and there ism as
much shooting as you might suppose. 1t
isn't necessary.