The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-04-01
Documents Bearing on Mayor
atty Campaign Unearthed.
Show Mr.. BILLIARDS. Connection
With Union Liberty Club.
PURPOSE SET FORTH.
Organization to Prevent Elec-
ton of PrOhibitionists.
Candidate Admits 1t But Says
He Would Enforce Law.

no " Uu1O 11MlVA 70 low
It has been found through a search
Of the records of the Office of sheriff
that ]. B. Billiard, candidate for mayor
under the commission form of govern
ment, is treasurer of the Union Liberty
league of Topeka. The Union Liberty
league is an organization of men who
are opposed to the prohibitory law and
men who pledge themselves not to
vote for men in city, county or state
offices who take their Office to enforce
the prohibitory law.
The pledge taken by the men of
this organization is as follows:
Il resident of
county or state of Kansas
and over the age of 81 years, do here
by make application for membership
in the Kansas Liberty league and do
hereby pledge myself on my honor as
man not to vote for any candidate
for state, district. county or city Of
flee, whether administrative. legisla-
tive, judicial or ministerial. who will
not pledge himself to stand and work
for the repeal or amendment of the
present sumptuary laws on the statute
books of the state of Kansas. includ-
ing the recent absolute prohibitory
law: and I Furthermore pledge myself
that until these pernicious laws are
either repealed or satisfactorily
amended so as to be beneficial to the
individual and not tyrannical; that in
casting my vote / will entirely diSre-
gard party lines and cast my vote for
one such candidate as will stand for
the principles of American liberty and
Individual rights. 1t is understood
that in national politics I am in no
similar condition of affairs should
arise nationally that has arisen in
Kansas. I furthermore pledge myself
to endeavor to obtain at least five
other members who will subscribe to
the principles of this league.
ST pledge myself upon my honor to
devote portion of my time in dissem-
mating amongst my friends and ac-
quaintances the principles and objects
Of the Kansas Liberty league.
Ny occupation is -----.--.
my present address is 1890.
with this pledge and application
hereby contribute the sum of So.
The fact that ]. B. Billiard is treas
urer of the organization was found in
the communications. records, books,
receipts etc, which were captured by
Sheriff Norton during the raid of the
Beavers club about four months ago.
These records have been exploited for
the purpose Of conducting and carry
ing out the campaign against Billiard.
One letter in particular is interest
, ing. 1t is a letter from the Union
N1eague to the brewers cf Kansas City
asking that they start an Independent
aad1y newspaper in Topeka for the
p1irpose of furthering the "wet' in
-terests. Tt reads:
Union League of Topeka.
Topeka. Kansas - 10
ITO the President and Directors Of
Brewing Co
'Gentlemen: We want to call your
attention to a state of facts in this
community which concerns your bust
ness interests and also is of vast i'm
citizens. Tt ie a we'll known fact that
the newspa pers are the moulders of
public opinion and men who are too
busy to study out political complica-
tions are as rule governed by the
opinions of the papers which they
am this city of over $4,000 popula-
ton. we have two daily papers and
both are rabid advocates of prohibit
ton, and the proprietors are getting
rich rapidly from the advertising pat
ronage which, they receive.
ssThe club members and the liberal
element who have formed an Organi-
cation to represent them. have no
chance for a hearing in our local pa
pers. and. although we tried twice to
start weekly papers on our side, the
people must have the daily news and
for that reason we appeal to the
brewers and ask them to start an in
dependent daily in their own interests
and ours in The city.
1--WE do not want to have anything
to do with the matter except as sub
scribers and advertising patrons.
editor, only that he has grit. and that
ne has the ability to make it interest
ing for the cranks in Kansas.
1--WE are of the opinion that such an
enterprise could be made to pay its
own way after the first year.
I'VE want to say further than we
are officers of the Unicn league which
was revived the beginning of this year,
and we are now forming branches all
over the state. The object is to get
the liberal element to vote their senti-
g. RI 1asrfx
Affiliations
1--WE would be pleased to send a
committee of our members to meet
your representative men at any place
YOU may name to further discuss this
matter.
ave enclose copies CT the literature
we are mailing to all parts of the state
and you can Judge of the work we are
doing. Respectfully yours.
an. B. ARNOLD,
mike HEERY,
"ABE KLEIN.
&C. w. PAYNE,
IRA NJ. ORNER.