The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-07-13
KANSAS coAAENT
DIFFERENT OPINIONS.

William Allen White, Samuel E.
Moffett and Arthur Ruhl-write ex-
tensively regarding the late Chicago
convention: Mr. White, who is q
ly lauds Taft, the administration can
didate, stating that onry as Roose-
welt represents the beliefs, policies
and interests Of the people has he
any power. He finds fault with the
vice presidential candidate, Mr.. Sher-
man man who Is Of the machine, and far
from the people. But the people had
regarded the vice presidency as a
thing OF minor Importance, and
therefore there was no insistent de-
mand that certain man should be
given the berth. The platform
ADOPTED MI; White also finds quite
commendable. 1t is far superior.
he says, 70 the one upon which
Roosevelt made the race four years
ago.
Samuel E. Moffett is more pessi-
mistfc Granting that Taft is quite
fellow, he seriously questions whether
ne could have been nominated by the
people, had the people been given a
vote. AS to Sherman. he is certain
ne could have commanded a nominat-
Ing majority in a single state. And
the platform he finds weak and COM
promising. Particularly is the tariff
plank of worthless timber. AS finally
adopted it contains no word to which
the stanchest stand-parrer could not
heartily subscribe. Indeed, he says,
the party might live up to its plat
form, and raise the already exor-
6itant schedules of the Dingley bill.
Concluding. Mr.. Moffett reads the
doom of the national political con-
vention. II has become too perfect,
he says; too much like a well-oiled
machine in the control of one man.
He sees a possible substitute in a sort
OF primary. Why" he asks. may
we not find such a substitute in a
plan of double elections. requiring an
absolute majority for a choice.
opening the first election to all
corners, and combining the voters to
the highest two candidates in the
Mr.. Ruhrs contribution is perhaps
of less interest, being largely a kick
on the speech-making, something
anyone might do. although perhaps
less entertaining. All are agreed on
one point, that Roosevelt named the
man. and how easily Roosevelt
might have named himself. Also the
three realize that Bryan doomed large
In that Republican convention; in
deed, next to Roosevelt, he probably
welded the widest infiuence-Atchi-
son Globe.
NOT A PASSING WAVE.
The mayor of Coffeyville has been
ousted from office and the city of COT
feyville has been enjoined by the SUI
preme court of Kansas, and all because
OF the liquor business. The city of
Goneyville, according to the decision Of
the court, knew the prohibitory law
was being violated and accepted money
from the violators of the law, and the
mayor knew the city was accepting
money from the jointists.
The city of Wichita also has been
on1Oined from apnpnfinO from
the joints and the city's defense against
the complaint of the attorney general
was denounced by the court.
There have been similar cases in the
Kansas supreme court within the last
few years and the news value Of such
cases has been considerably decreased.
We have had SO many lessons" that
we have begun to tire of them. But in
this case there. is a new feature which
VIII be impressed at least on the minds
of some persons.
When the dry wave of two or three
years ago struck Kansas the vets and
many others prophesied that 1t would
be of short duration and that before
long former conditions would prevail.
Men who had successfully evaded pun
ishment for continued violation of the
law had grown so strong that they
did not believe they could be brought
tie pay the penalty the law provided
for their offenses. But they soon learn
ed they were mistaken.
Even after this many of them told
their friends to wait until another adj
ministration was to be elected, when
it was promised that the old times
would return, but in this case they
were also doomed to disappointment.
The times did not change save to grow
dryer. The laws grew to be still more
rigidly enforced.
And it now seems that the fellows
who are not in accord with the pro-
hibitory law might as we'll realize now
that the prohibitory law is to be en-
forced. Conditions may revert to their
former state, but it will be years before
such is the case. The men who oppose
its enforcement must not hope to some
time continue it's violation. They must
knock out the law If they are to do
anything, and it goes without saying
that the man who contracts to do this
should allow himself plenty of time
Salina Journal.