The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-11-09
REr0RN N TEAvEvw0RTH.


After looking Y the returns from
the state. Leavenworth has concluded
that It means law enforcement. re-
gardless Of who is governor. At least
this is the conclusion of the Times.
While the result was still in doubt, the
Times stated that even though &Gov-
ernor Hoch were reelected. as he is.
the demand for the enforcement of
law is so strong that he will be obliged
to heed It, Further than that the
Times itself joins in a demand for a
better condition Of affairs in Leaven-
worth. It says:
Whether Hoch or Harris is elected
law enforcement was squarely the is
sue in Leavenworth county, and re-
parkable as it may seem in view of
conditions here, outside of the Sol
diers' nome a majority of the people
voted for law enforcement.
There is no question but what a
great wave Of sentiment for the en-
forcement Of all laws has swept over
Kansas. If Harris is elected, Leaven-
worth would just as well prepare for
the inevitable. The open saloon Will
be closed.
And II Hoch is elected, although
his candidacy was not committed to
the enforcement of prohibition in
precedence of ali h laws, the wave.
Of sentiment here mentioned might
sometime force the executive maehin-
cry to action.
but the point is this: Independent
of who may or might have been
elected governor, there is an aversion
to the wide open license which pre-
walls in Leavenworth. Vice never was
so glazing and u~nrestrained in Leaven-
worth as it is at present. Not only
SHOULD Leavenworth have observed a
Sunday closing practice strictly and
the city authorities have accorded the
church going people the privilege of a
decent Sabbath day. but many of the
own dives Of the city should imme-
diately have been blotted out. The
wave of law enforcement demands
hat this at least shall be lone.
I'm the election Tuesday the liquor
interests of the state, particularly in
Leavenworth. showed that they were
actuated only by a selfish desire to
promote their welfare. t has always
been true Of the saloon interests in his
town that they have objected to the
least curtailment of their latitude,
they nave reDe1ied at every reStrlc-
ton. they have made war against the
men who sought to have their places
conducted in a way that should be
least Objectionable to the people of
this community. but at the same time
to give them an existence that would
be tolerated, because the saloon, prop
erly regulated. seemed to be the best
solution of h whisky problem. As a
rule the liquor interests know no po-
litical principle. they have no consid-
Grafton for the men or the COM
munity IN cases where they should
feel some sense of obligation.
THAT Is why in Kansas they have
been caught between the upper and
political miIlstones; why Har-
ris was pledged to a policy of law en-
forcement and why Hoeh, if elected,
viii not likely be allowed to have any
choice other han to introduce a sea
son of law enforcement. in obedience
to h general wave which spread over
the state for enforcement of all laws"
All of which is worthy of the COM
mendatiOn of every good citizen. with
the understanding that the season OF
law enforcement" is to be a continuous
performance.