The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-08-22
PRoH1B1rIoN IN KANSAS.

Clarence H Matson, of Topeka, has a
lengthy article in the current number
of The Outlook on the subject How
Prohibition Works in Kansas"
Mr.. Matson takes a rather unique
view of the law and its enforcement.
He saws:
The contempt which unenforced pro-
hibition breeds for the dignity of the
law is its worst feature. There are
towns in Kansas very few-in which
it is almost impossible to convict a
lawbreakerf of selling liquor. No mat
ter how strong the proof of his guilt. at
least one man of the twelve on the jury
will stand out for his acquittal The
saloon breeds lawlessness, and the con-
tempt for the prohibitory law newt
ably spreads to other laws. Kansas
has a law against gambling which
makes the offense a felony punishable
by term IN the penitentiary, yet this
is as persistently violated as is the
law against liquor selling. Other stat
utes are viewed in the same manner
by those who have come to regard the
violation of the prohibitory law as an
evidence of smartness.
Another evil which prohibition has
wrought in Kansas has been in i'm
peding direct efforts to reform the
drunkard. With prohibition in the
state constitution, the temperance peo-
pie settled back on the theory that the
only way to abolish the evils of drink
was to keep liquor from being sold. All
efforts are now directed towards elect
ing officers to enforce the law against
the liquor seller. while the drunkard is
left to himself. The good old-fash-
toned gospel temperance meeting, in
which men are urged to abstain from
drink for the sake of their souls and
their families. and in which they are
importuned to sign the pledge, is prac-
tically unknown in Kansas. Theoret-
ically there are no drunkards in Kan
sas. and this is indeed true in many
counties where the law is strictly en-
forced. The old topers have died off
and the strict enforcement of the law
and moral sentiment have prevented
the manufacture of new ones. But in
many Kansas communities there is
practical work for the old-time temper
ance lecturer. While even in communi-
ties where saloons are in open opera
ton drunkards do not exist to the same
degree that they do in states where
liquor selling is unrestrained, and while
their property through drink in Kan
sas, and outside of three or four of the
larger cities men who become intoxi-
Gated and abuse their families, are
very tew-while these things are true
if the advocates of temperance had de-
voted more effort to the reclamation OF
drunkards. and thus destroyed the de-
mand for liquor. it would now be less
difficult to enforce the law against the
LIQUOR seller.
In the towns where public sentiment
is against the strict enforcement of the
law there is practically high-license
system. A city ordinance is passed de.
claring all Joints" and saloons to be
public nuisances, and making the pro-
prietors of them subject to a fine OF
from $50 to 800. In some places it is
the custom to make a formal arrest OF
the proprietor or barkeeoer of eact
Joint" once month. He pleads guilty
and is fined regulation amount After
paying the fine he knows he will not bt
disturbed for a month. and he proceed:
with his illegal business without fear OF
molestation until the regular time fol
his monthly arrest. Another method i:
for the city marshal or other police of.
fieer to go through the formality of ar
arrest, but, without taking the offender
to the police station, to release him on Z
cash bond for a stated sum, $50 or 800
The offender never appears in court and
the bond is declared forfeited. This lat.
ter method opens the way for municipal
corruption by making it possible for city
officials to collect bonds of which a rec
ord is never made in police court. and
which go directly into the officials