The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-02-24


Somewhere near squaHd little desert
town down across the Mexican border
man IS hiding from those who have
business with him. Reports say that
he is spending the few thousands with
which he fed in such dissipation and
drunkenness as the Mexican town az
fords, and fleeing into the desert at ev-
cry rumor OF the approach Of those he
has wronged, haunted by the fear that
an avenger viii overtake him. Yet a
few weeks ago that man was a sup
POSED capitalist OF high standing in
one Of the richest cities Of the country.
He was on the boards for the promo
ton of public Improvements. and he
was regarded as q great man. But ons
day a month ago it V as discovered that
he had fed leaving 600 of debts
more than his property v ould satisfy.
Invsstig tion disclosed a double life, a
mistress whose existence was totally
unsupported by a faithful and loving
wife, and career of vice and deceit.
That is one Of the recent sensations
of Los Angeles among the high and
mighty. But there has been one even
more recent among those not SO prom
inent
Some time ago a young Michigan girl
went to the southwestern me
tropolis accompanied by her sister.
They were pretty, modest girls and
readily found employment as mattresses
in one Of the many tourist hotels of that
city. One evening two or three weeks
ago these two girls and a third com
panion We're taken by some gentlemen
friends to a well known cafe for a sup
per. A private room was engaged.
Wines and liquors were served and the
supper became on orgy. Towards mid
night the gentle Michigan girl, whose
friends knew her as a model of mod
esty under the influence of the wine
jumped on to a table and did a dance"
Then she fell on a chair injuring her
spine. Shortly afterwards she became
i'll and was hurriedly removed to the
apartments of one Of her male compan-
ions, and before the sun again shone on
Los Angeles she was a corpse.
An attempt was made to hush the
affair up. but it finally got into the
newspapers. and Los Angeles was
shocked by the discovery that some of
its supposedly respecta Bile cafes where
liquors were served not only furnished
private wine rooms, but also had
apartments furnished for the pro-
mitigation of vice.
Yet very likely few Los Angeles
people connect these events with their
own acts a few snonths ago when they
were given the opportunity to Danish
saloons and liquor from their city. A
great many good people said, 1T
can't be done. We will let the sa-
looms stay. but we will regulate them
and abolish the wine rooms So they
joined with the criminal and vicious
elements in voting for the retention
Of the saloon.
But are the saloons regulated? Wei,
not enough to hurt. Some of the afore-
mentioned good people proposed to re
duce the numbeD from over 200 to about
20, but they have not made much head
way at it. And have the wine rooms
been abolished? Instead their work IS
as bad or worse than ever.
It is impossible to compromise with
vice without vice getting the best Of
the bargain. If you tolerate the saloon
it viii become oppressive. The vicious
are never satisfied. Where there is
prohibition the liquor element wants
high license, and where there is high
it'-FIlSG IL Wdiits low llCtlISG ana p6IIIslS-
sion to do as it pleases.
And vice is no respecter of persons.
It destroyed the career of Henry P.
Barbour. capitalist and promoter, Just
as it killed the pretty Michigan wait
ress.
Vice and righteousness do not flourish
well together, and whisky is always the
accompaniment Of vice. These are facts
the people of Topeka would do well to
remember on March 10 when they are
called on to decide whether The Ring
shall longer rule in the capital of Kan
sas.