The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-03-09
ToMORROW's ISSUES.

shawnee county viii decide what snaA
be the policy OF the county government
for the next two years. At least 1t is
hoped that the Republican voters Of
Shawnee county viii do the deciding.
The term is used with some doubt. FOR
there have been occasions in the past
when repeaters and thugs have decided
the issues.
Possibly many voters may think the
only issue is whether the joints shall
be allowed to run or whether they shall
be closed during the next two years.
but that IS only minor proposition. To
be sure, on the settlement of this ques-
ton hinges the other results. but the
other results are far broader and win
not be for two years only. If the IN
huence of tomorrow's primaries are for
two years only it would not be such
serious matter.
In the first place Topeka is DESTROYS
of growing. with that end in view. it
expects to celebrate the Semicentenniai
of Kansas as a state IN 1911. and it will
ask the state as a whole to aid in that
celebration. But there is a decided
sentiment over the state to oppose such
a celebration in Topeka unless Topeka
shall demonstrate tomorrow that the
laws of the state shall be enforced in
the capital city and not trampIed I'M
der foot. There is little doubt that
considerable number Of the mem bers CT
the next legislature win come to To-
peka to oppose any SemicentenniaI APP
preparation unless Topeka cleans
house The State Journal reproduced
a lengthy editorial along this line from
the Olathe Mirror two or three weeks
ago Numerous other papers have ex-
pressed themselves in the same way,
and this week in the Emporia Gazette
William Allen White takes the same
position, although he is a member of
the SemicentenniaI committee. Under
the heading, Not a Cent" Mr.. White
says:
Until Topeka cleans up her saloons,
and ceases to be a law-breaker, the
country papers Of Kansas should op-
pose the Semieentennial idea. There
Is no reason why Kansas which came
into the union as a child OF a move
ment that demanded the enforcement
Of the law, should celebrate her birth
in a town that haunts the state laws
OF Kansas so outrag eously- The peo-
pie of Kansas have done much for To-
peka. Bu1 they snoua stop uI1LlI TO
peka shows by obeytng the Kansas
laws that she appreciates the friend
ship OF the Kansas people.
The time has come when decent
people S0OGlQ snow the laNI6SS In1L
decency pays and that indecency costs
money, and here and now is the time
to do it. The Gazette has been in
favor Of the Semicentennial idea. but
until Topeka can show clean police
docket and clean streets without open
law breaking. the Gazette Is against
the SemicentenniaI idea, and will fight
it. This is just one little country pa
per. it is true. but there are others.
and this thing Will cost Topeka her
show unless she cleans up.
One of the results of tomorrow's pri-
maries. If Shawnee county votes 10
continue the joints. will be to kill the
semicentenniaI proposition and retard
the growth Of the city.
That is just a material consideration.
The moral influence Of tomorrow's pri-
maries will be even more serious. It is
not simply a question of wet or dry
it is a question Of vice or virtue; Of
law or anarchy. Of decency or corrup-
ton; Of honesty or graft.
No community can tamper with vice
and go unframed any more than can an
Individual A vote for the Joint tonor-
row is also a vote for the house Of
/ dishonor- It is a. vote to turn manly
boys into vicious and dishonest men.
It Is q vote to send more young girls
to Crittenden home. or, worse, to a life
of debauchery in lae Sums It is
vote to bring dishonor and disrespect
| to our laws and to our. courts. It is q
vote to. encourage crime. And all that
that a few individuals may reap the re-
ward of graft and political gain.
Topeka has reached a critical point in
! her career. On the outcome tomorrow
| rests her history for years to come If
/ she votes tomorrow for law and de-
cency she will be able to maintain her
former high reputation as the best city
for homes in the west. If she votes for
vice and graft-but let US not contem-
plate such a calamity.