The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-05-13
Statement Is Made in Reply to
Attack of Will White.
POINTS TO HIS RECORD
Has Always Voted for Laws to
Suppress Liquor Traffic.
Author Of the Somewhat
Famous "Jug Law"

ody' goes on record strongly in favor |
of the enforcement of the prohibitory |
law. and pledges himself, if elected
governor, to see that the law is en-
forced.
The interview was called forth by
an editorial in the Emporia Gazette
by William Allen White, in which
Mr.. White intimated that the election
of Leland to the office of governor
would mean the notification of the
prohibitory law.
II have been expecting something
like that, said Mr.. Leland, when the
"Bilr' White piece was shown him this
morning. Il have been waiting for
somebody to raise this very question,
and I am glad to make statement
on the subject.
mo man could conscientiously as
sumo the office Of governor of the
state of Kansas without a determina-
ton to enforce all the laws on the
statute books, SO far as lay in his
power. If I was governor Of Kansas.
would enforce the laws.
Prohibition in this state has come
to stay. The people of Kansas are
for it. Furthermore, the experience
of the past few years has demonstrate
ed that the prohibitory laws can be
enforced. The sale of liquor can be
stopped. There is no further chance
"As a member of the legislature,
have always voted for laws intended
to suppress the illegal sale Of liquor.
introduced and had passed the So
called jug law which prohibits the
shipment into the state of liquor to
fictitious names, to be called for as
needed by customers. This law has
had a good effect, for several of the
express companies refuse to handle
that class Of shipments any more.
They don't want to act as retail Ii
quor dealers, and that is practically
what they are when they handle such
shipments I understand that con-
gress has under consideration a SINH
lar piece Of legislation for interstate
shipments. sfc 81
II might also add that my home
county, Doniphan. has always been
a dry county. The officers have en-
| forced the laws. We have no joints
up there. This is well known fact.
''Mr. White says in this editorial Of
his that it is common knowledge that
the whisky sellers of the state are
for me for governor; that the matter
had been commented on freely by the
| press. I read a good many news
papers, but have not seen this COM
mented upon by many papers
noticed, however, that Mr.. Stubbs
that Mr.. Stillings recently gave out a
strong interview in favor of Leland
for governor. and pledged him the
| support of the breweries and saloon
! men, StillingS never gave out such
| an interview and never pledged me
| men for governor. Mr.. Stubbs simply
| over reached himself in that state
| ment, as he did in the same article
where he declares that I and my
| friends have for years opposed all
reform legislation, and that we repre-
sent a class of people who should be
| in the penitentiary. Anyone who
| cares to inspect the records will find
| that 1 voted in the legislative session
for practically all of the reform
credit of having passed, and further
| I will say that Mr.. Stubs could not
| have secured the passage of some of
that legislation without my help"
The White editorial. which ap-
peared in the Gazette yesterday, was
as follows:
"'HOW ABOUT IT?
"Uncle Cyrus Leland, who is en-
deavoring to ride into the governor s
office on the wooden horse of Troy,
is talking a good deal nowadays, as
| becomes a statesman who would win
the affections of the people; he is al
so writing a good deal, or having
writing done for him, and his an
nouncements in Kansas papers call
attention to his sterling worth and
noble qualities of mind and heart,
and all those shining attributes of
which you read in the Sunday school
books.
"But upon one question our revered
uncle is silent; and that question is
regarded by a good many earnest peo-
pie as the question paramount in this
campaign; overshadowing all those
topics which are being strenuously
forced to the front as the real issues.
ssThe booze business has been broken
up in Kansas; it has been broken up
so well that the brewers have removed
, their fixtures, and the jointists are in
, fail. or on their way there, and the
druggists have learend that the law Is
something more than a chrome on the
wall. A great deal has been accom-
plished in the course of Few months
hv fearless and determined officials
and it is of the highest Importance
that the ground gained should not be
lost.
! "Hope springs eternal in the booze
|, Dealers breast, however, and the men
, who want to make easy money by
, selling poison in Kansas are not with
ont hone. They are for Leland to a
man. and they believe and expres:
. their conviction. that if he is elected
? Governor the campaign against rum
, holes will slacken, and that he will be
, conveniently shortsighted when the
| whisky sellers take down their shut
tiers and again embark in the rotter
| business.
..rhis thing is Of common knowI-
. edge and is commented upon freely by
MANY papers. Mr.. Leland knows wha'
will be expected of him by the gros
element if he is elected, and he makes
. M sign. Not in any of his writings oil
: his preachings is there word indicat.
, | ing that he will stand up for the strict
) enforcement of the prohibfto-- law Il
) he is elected.
+ 's4ow about it, Uncle Cyrus?
"The question is really worth few
moments Of your valuable time"