The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-06-15
WHO WILL BE THE WATCHMAN?
(By a Railroad MANI

/
In olden times the safety of the people
of cities and villages in many European
countries was guarded throughout the
night by watchmen placed in towers or
| belfries that protection might be thrown
around all, crime thwarted, guilty appre-
hended: and from this ancient custom has
come the patrol of the policeman now in
vogue in all municipalities and towns, all
| for the safety of the citizens, the preser-
walton of property and the reduction of
| criminal depredations, as well as the e..
forcement of the laws, all tending to bring
about peaceful law abiding condition in
every community.
Now If it is proper, and certainly it is
right, to throw around the citizen the
from the onslaught of the criminal, why
is it not equally desirable to protect
the laborer from the wilful carelessncss
of his co-laborers, wherein life has been
taken or body injured or MANNED
OF course will be met with opposition
in this statement, but I will make tile
prediction that if the same measures "a e
not adopted by employees of our country.
engaged in the industries and railways, TO
thwart the taking of life or injuring CT
body, wherein it appears it is wanton
wilfuI or without that care due from one
to another. rules stringent in their char
acter will be placed in the book of regu-
lations, and enforced by employers of la
Dor for the general protection of man
kind. In this state O<ansas) wherein pro
hibition reigns supreme, and the liquor
business is wiped out of existence for the
uplifting of society and the preservation
of the people from the effects of the
liquor habit until it has become a state
wide question, both political and religious
discussed by political parties on the plat
form, by the churches in the pulpit, and
through organized temperance associa-
lions. The end to be obtained is the edu-
cation of the people to thoughts that in
toXicating liquors are hurtful to ones
health. shortening of life, and in many
instances its loss, thus preventing any
army of families from being destitute
and dragging those afflicted with the liquor
habit from the gutter of destruction-all
of which sounds well. and is a humani-
tartan act on the part of the state in the
enforcement of such laws, and the pro-
lection of the people from the ravishes
of such a business
1t has come to my mind that while these
proper, wherein do we find any move
ment to throw around the careful en-
ployee protection for himself or family
from the careless act of his fellows. Is
not this of equal Importance to the pro-
lection of the citizen from the act of
the liquor traffic from our state. Certain
" it is and should receive from the hands
of all huma nitarians the same considera-
ton. Human life is just precious in
the shop, or on the train, and entitled
to the same protection as in any other
impaired by the careless act of another
We are told this is a progressive era
in the history of our government Cor
porations and trusts are to be bridled Of
tenders of such laws banished-no guilty
person can escape. All this is well enough
during a political campaign, but where
such laws do exist. and they are for
the good of the people, not ccnfiscatory
in their character, there is no reason why
they should not be enforced. General