The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-08

a twirler, and with the practice which
they will get during the coming week.
it is certain that tight game will re-
suit.
The Wichita Beacon, the city in which
it is being published by the way, is a
candidate for q Western association
franchise, gets out it's "big stick and
has the following editorial concerning
the Topeka Ministerial Union and the
determination of that society to pass a
law in the next legislature to knock out
Sunday baseball:
Announcement comes from Topeka
to the effect that the Ministerial as
ISOLATION of that city is preparing to
organize the preachers of Kansas In q
fight before the next legislature for a.
law prohibiting Sunday baseball. There
will be ten ministers in the next legts-
lature and the hackers of the move
ment hope, with their assistance, to Sc
cure legislation such as is desired
1T is respectfully suggested that if the
ministers of Kansas want to do the
state q real favor, they organize for the
purpose of urging legislation bearing on
corruption in state government. That
is of vastly more Importance than Sun
day ball playing. Possibly violation OF
Sunday laws is a matter of concern to
la large percentage of the states pop
ulation, but in the light of the fact that
SO many grave abuses exist that de-
mand united action on the part Of all
good citizens, 1T would seem waste or
energy to devote attention only to Sun
day ball playing. There are good
many things infinitely worse than base
ball that might engage the attention of
young men on the Sabbath day. The
argument that Sunday ball games de-
crease attendance at church is not a
reasonable contention for law pro-
hibiting baseball, but a reminder that
something else is lacking If a ball game
has greater drawing powers than
church service. 1t is safe to assume
that the man who goes to a Sunday ball
game would not attend services II the
law prohibited baseball on the Sabbath.
Observance of the weekly holiday as a
period of religious thought and exercise
is not a matter of Legislation, but OF
education and inclination. But these
are questions open to argument. Much
can be said on both sides. As before
stated, there are so many questions OF
more vital character before the people
of Kansas today, that minor matters
may we'll be left to adjust themselves.
For example, if the ministers of Kan
sas desire to take part in reform legis-
lation let them direct their attention
to the state treasury scandals. Let them
organize for the purpose of giving
moral backing to the next administra-
ton in the promised cleaning out OF
corruption in the state house. The
promises come from Governor-elect
Hoch, whose attitude during the cam
paign was one of compromise with
grating. He urged the reelection of
State Treasurer Kelly in spite of that
Official Known IecOIu' III spiIe VI LhO
fact that the state accountant had dis
covered shortages. in the treasury ag-
gregating $31 900. After election he
made the promise to turn on the search
light and discover who is responsible
for the woeful conditions that have
long been known to obtain in Topeka
1t is evident that If the next governor
of Kansas meant what he said after
election he will need assistance from
all good citizens. He will have to go
back on all his political friends and
associates, on those who assisted him
in securing the nomination and aided
in his election. He will have to re-
nounce Senator Burton and his nefar-
ious influence. 1t is a gigantic under
taking and will require rare moral
courage. 1t is evident that here the
backing of the ministers of Kansas
will be of value. 1t will assure Cover
nor-elect Hoch that the good people OF
Kansas are in sympathy with his eff
forts -