The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-04-14
PROHIBITION PHENOMENA

From. the 14OulSNlliS
In Topeka, the capital of the theo-
retically dry state of Kansas, there
has Just been an election which throws
curiously interesting light upon the oper-
alton of prohibition laws.
To begin with, ii is interesting to note
that although Kansas enjoys the inesti-
mable benefits of statewide prohibition,
which the fanatics tell us ought to prevail
throughout the union, the issue in the
election of the mayor of the state capital
is between VETS and "drys." But the
tale is not half told.
We quote a telegram from Topeka to the
Kansas City Journal:
cat the election here today under the
new commission form of government, j.
B. Billiard, democrat defeated Mayor
William Green, republican, for mayor by
about 1886 majority. Green was up for re-
election
s.These four commissioners were elected:
Pete Miller, NJ. C. Halman, Roy Bone
and w G. Tandy. 1t was non-partisan
election wherein party solidarity did not
count. The democrats are very jubilant
| IOQlRnl, sdlOI6 Will u iot Va iiSN'St -
publicans.
More than II, 600 of the 1900 regis
tered voters cast their ballots All of the
ministers of the city and all of the news
papers supported Green. The Capital was
especially strong in Green's behalf. Bill
lard had to do his campaigning through
the advertising columns and on billboards.
His election, therefore, comes as great
surprise. C. E. Jordon and p /. Bone
brake. two of the most prominent busi-
ness men of the town, were defeated for
commissioner because they tied up to the
Green wagon.
.tThe Green managers openly charged
that 1t was contest between the vets
and drys, and urged the people to stand
by Green the dry candidate, for the eff
feet 1t would have on temperance senti-
ment over the state. Billiard openly de-
clared that he was not in favor of the
| prohibitory law. but insisted that he
would enforce 1t if elected. Green also
stood for Sunday closing of theatres.
Billiard was liberal in this respect.
aside from the liquor issue the minis
tiers and church people injected religion
into the campaign. They called Billiards
fight to prevent the Bible being read in
the Topeka schools as evidence that he
was an atheist In card to the papers
| Billiard denied that he was an atheist and
| showed that he belonged to Odd Fellows
and other secret orders which forbade
atheists from becoming members Still
he said he was not orthodox and had a
religion of his own namely, do unto
others as you would they would do unto
YOU. In other words. he said he wanted
to practice his religion, not simply preach
| It,"
With the press and the pulpit a unit
against him, and under the charge OF
atheism. Mr.. Billiard wins. II would be
absurd to suppose that Topeka is
peopled by atheists and inebrates The
explanation of the result is obvious
The population is not composed of fan.
atics and hypocrites. The majority de.
of the prohibitionists, the preachers ant
the press, whose panacea is not remedy
for the disease they advertise to cure
and whose gallery-play makes them more
akin to Pandarus than to Pandora.
! From time to time there have been pub
lished stories of the farcial nature O.
prohibition In Kansas. This incident II
the capital indicates that the prohibition
law and the: prohihitionists have proven (
I public nuisance rather than public .bene
faction.