The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-06-13
HE WILL NOT SAY
Governor Hoch Still Silent
About Liquor Question.
People Talk Too Much About the
Violations.
DON'T SEE OTHERS.
Places Where It Is Enforced Are
Overlooked.
Believed That Executive is After
More Information.

Governor Hoch seems to be much
pleased and encouraged by the replies
which he has received concerning the
enforcement Of the prohibitory law in
Kansas.
"Of course there are a few counties.
said Governor Hoch, where the law is
not enforced. but on the whole, I be-
heve the state is in pretty good shape.
These few places where saloons are al
lowed to run are magnihed beyond their
real Importance, while the places where
the law Is Obeyed are overlooked. It is
like spots on the sun: everybody talks
about the spots and fOrgets that the
general surface OF the sun is clear"
What will be the effect of the infor-
nation which you have received on your
future action in the matter?" was asked
Of the governor.
I'm not quite ready to say" replied
Governor Hoch-
1t has been stated by some that the
Information which the governor has re-
eeiVed is such that he feels that no fur
Gher action on his part is required; that
all the county officers have expressed
q desire to do their duty, and that it is
not his place to so back of the re-
turns
On the other hand, there is reason to
believe that Governor HOch is already
taking steps to get other direct infor-
nation concerning the big cities Of the
state. If this is the governors plan. he
will need to establish a secret service
department in connection with his ex-
Qcutive Office. Provided the governor
decides to 90 after information in this
way, there is not likely to be anything
further heard Of his plans until he is
ready to land" on some sheriff and
county attorney with the evidence nee
essary to prove, beyond the shadow of
a doubt that they are failing to obey
their oaths Of Office. If the governor
Is able to get into his possession such
evidence, he would probably start in to
make trouble for some Of the county
attorneys in the state who gave equivo-
cal answers to the questions which the
governor put in his letter asking for in
formation.
1t is reported that Harry L. Pestana.
who resigned not long ago his position
as special assistant in the Office of At
GOrney General Coleman has gone to
his home at Russell for the purpose of
fixing I'D his fences preparatory to max
ing the race for congress against W. A.
Reeder. Senator Pestana was at one
time a candidate for congress from the
Sixth. but it was during the PODulist
days, and he went down with the rest
of the Republicans.
Among other possible candidates for
the nomination are Secretary of State
j. r. Burrow and Senator I. D. Young.
Lieutenant Governor Dave Hanna has
also been mentioned as a possibility
but it is said that he is not after the
place.
Colonel F. D. West of Edwards
county, a prominent member of the
last house Of representatives, was in
Topeka Monday on his way to Chi
cage, where he expects to attend the
national convention of the Auction
GERS Association of the United States
Of America. Colonel West was also
interested in the Santa F'e auction sale
of unclaimed freight which was held
yesterday.
Colonel West is the man who intro
duced a bill into the last legislature