The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-03-07
0MPROMISE
IS REFUSED
Temperance People to Put
Out Ticket of Their Own.
Mr.. JONES CONFIRMS 1T
Women Baked on PROPOSE
ton of FinIay Ross.
Mr.. CUSHING Is COMING
As Preliminary to Separate
Temperance Campaign.
Mr.. CUSHING is COMING

Mr.. Wilbur Jones denied yesterday to a
reporter for the Eagle that he would
come out as d candidate for mayor, but
admitted that the temperance people had
refused TO accept the offer of F'inlay Ross
TO close half the saloons, abolish the slot
machines and do away with the greater
part of the gambling houses. He also
said that the temperance people will place
a ticket OF their own in the field. The ac-
ton, it seems from the statement of Mr..
Jones. was taken by the Woman's Chris
tan Temperance Union, representing he
said, 1900 ladies. These women claimed
that IL Mr.. Ross could close half the sa-
looms, abolish the slot machines and re-
duce the number OF gaming houses, as he
promised them he would do. he had the
power, IL he was so disposed, TO abolish
all the saloons, bawdy houses slot ma
chimes and every species of gambling.
They could not stultify themselves by ac-
cepting his offer. They claim that it is
the saloon, the gambling house. the baw-
dy house and Slot machine they are fight
ing and not the number of them. In other
words that they would fight one saloon or
one Slot machine as readily and as hard
as they would fight one hundred They
have an idea that Finlay Ross will yet
agree to their entire demands, but the
public generally hardly think he will. At
any rate, they will give him till proba bly,
next Wednesday and if he does not agree
to their terms before then they will place
their own ticket in the field by petition
If he does agree they will not put up
ticket against him. Mr.. Jones admitted
the existence of the deal between certain
elements in the temperance cauSe-prin-
mo- nh nd
the time in the Eagle. but the women
Were not as ready to compromise with
evil as they expressed it, as the men,
and they kicked over the entire arrange
ments.
There was some talk last night of Finlay
Ross Withdrawing from the race on ac-
count OF the action of the Woman's Chris
tian Temperance Union failing to support
his half rate offer, but the rumor could
not be traced to any authoritative source.
The talk about his withdrawal is proba-
bly, untrue, and the likelihood is that he
will stay on the ticket. One of the chief
factors in the citizens meeting that en-
dorsed him was seen in the Royal EX-
change saloon and he denied that Mr.
Ross had any notion of Withdrawing. He
was inclined to think that the temperance
people think they have him now in a po-
sfuon where he must yield to their de-
mands, and that they are trying to bluff
him into accepting their 1,500 or 1000 votes
on a basis of the complete abolition of
the saloons and the other places and de-
vicGs mentioned. Mr.. Ross could not be
seen himself
1t is entirely unlikely that the temper
ance people are bluffing. The fact is that
they have sent for Volney 3. Gushing, of
Bangor. Maine. one of the ablest organ
iZers Of temperance activity in the coun-
try, to arouse a tempe rance sentiment in
this community. a well known temper
ance advocate told an Eagle reporter yes
terday that Mr.. Gushing would be here to-
day to begin a series of lectures on Chris
tian citizenship" This lady who is abso-
lutely truthful, said that Mr.. Cushing
would surely be here in time to speak this
evening at the Friends University. sun
day morning at the Methodist church.
Sunday afternoon at 2:30 at the Audito-
rum. Sunday evening at the Empona Az
enue Methodist church and Monday after
noon at p. m. at the Baptist church.
Il think that by the time he gets
through with his program" said this lady.
the so-called temperance men will be
ready 10 join with the Woman's Christian
Temperance Union IN saying there shall
be no compromise with the saloon. the
gambler, the slot machine and other
vices"
The outcome Of the matter is hard TO
determine The majority OF Mr.. RoSS
followers seem to think he will not yield
10 the what they call the extra ordinary
demands of the temperance people;
minority think he will The action Of the
temperance people regarding the placing
OF a ticket in the field VIII prove whether
he accepts or rejects their offer ana un-
til then the affair viii be uncertain.
Some Of the leaders of the citizens
movement have formulated another COM
promise offer to the temperance people.
II is 10 reduce the number Of saloons one
half and confine them 10 one block. This
offer will probably be made today but il
rs doubtful whether the temperance peo-
pie w.l consider any more compromise Of
fers till after Mr.. Cushing finishes his
campaign. and they see the result OF il.
1t is hardly necessary to say that this
offer could not be considered seriously
by the temperance people; for they must
be aware that il would be impossible TO
find sixteen or seventeen vacant buildings
in any one block and merchants are not
going 10 move out Of buildings in which
they are established 10 give F'iulSy Ross
or any other mayor an opportunity 10
carry out an election deal.
In the meantime the average hard head
ed citizen and business man are getting
tired of what threatens a disturbance Of
the present harmony and prosperity 81
the city. They got enough Of that KIND
OF monkey work under the errat;c reign
OF Tiger Bill and they are not going TO
forget it in five or six years.