Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1912-01-13

we Deleve In dividing the Dur
den of taxation equitably and justly
and win bend our efforts to that
end"
THAT is simply empty vaporing%
cried the general "And it has been
in every platform for twenty years
without meaning anything The plat
form that I stand on this year must
declare for a nonpartisan tax commits
sion. empowered to investigate condi-
lions in this state-wild lands, corpora
lions and all-and report as basis
for new legislation
In the silence that ensued they could
hear Arba Spinney continuing his ha-
rangue.
Il suppose you have the resolution
all drawn suggested Theismer
Thornton dryly.
Il have and drawn according to
good constitutional law" replied the
general He drew the paper from his
breast pocket.
Incorporate it, Wasgatt, ready for
the final draft and Wen all go over the
thing tomorrow morning" The duke
was grimly laconic. That resolution
whacked his pet interests. Wasgatt
received the paper and went on
1--WE reaffirm our belief in the prin-
ciple of the prohibition of the liquor
traffic and pledge our earnest efforts to
promote temperance
Across the corridor jewellers were
bawling over and over in chorus:
Lets take drink
Let's take 1t now.
God only knows how dry ami
That's a good thing to reaffirm-l
don't mean the song they're singing in
l. 49,
thing to pledge ourselves to promote
temperance. said the general, sbut
that isn't the point at issue. 1 have
another plank that I've written for
our platform
He drew a second paper from his
pocket.
Gentlemen, we have in our constitu-
ton a law that forbids the manufac-
ture and sale of intoxicating liquors
in this state. There is no option in
the matter. Just so long as our party,
the dominant political power fuses that
option it is in disgrace with all decent
men. r.
There was a knock at the door-the
private door.
81 have drawn a resolution. Here
| it is: AS a party we deplore the fact
| that temperance, through the so called
| prohibitOry law, has become a matter
of politics, its football to the extent
| that holders of public office. sworn to
enforce the laws, turn from that en-
| forcement in order to cater to pubisc
| opinion which otherwise might deprive
| them of office. We declare against this
| intolerable system of protection of law
breakers. Until the people shall re-
| peal the law we. the dominant party.
of the state and in control of enforce
ment, do pledge ourselves to faithfully
enforce it, employing such law as we
now have and Invoking new powers
| through the legislature to assist US, so
long as the prohibitory law shall re-.
main in our constitution T"
1t was now Chairman Presson's turn
to look uncomfortable
Look here, Vard,' exploded Thorn
ton, 1--WE been pretty patient while
you've been amputating few fingers
and toes of the Republican party of
this state, but I'll be hanged IL I pro-
pose to see you cut it's throat
There was fresh knocking at the
door, but the group within the parlor
had enough to think about just then
without entertaining callers.
Now you're talking simply about
yourselves and your officeholders and
your dirty profits. You're calling that
mess of nasty confsderacy our party"
declared General Weymouth passion
ately. when honesty kills a party
let it die. Let its men get out and or
ganize another one. But tell you you
can't kill it by being honest, Thelis
mer. The trouble is you're sitting here
and building for tonight, for tomor-
row. I'm a Republican. You can't
take that name away from me. But
the badge doesn't belong on men who
are using that name to cover up rum
selling business"
Chairman Presson was livid. He
leaped from his chair and drove his
fist down on the table.
Now some one called to them from
outside the door, repeating the rap
ping.
The duke came along to the table.
He licked his forefinger against the
paper that Weymouth was holding.
Ward, you're pledging yourself in
advance of election to the most rabid
of the prohibition fanatics
I'm pledging myself to obey the one
state law that occupies the most space
in public attention, causes the most
discussion, makes the most row. It's
a damnabIe bloodsucker to be hitched
on to any political party. But it's on
ours, and I'm going to grab it with
both hands,"
"Hold a proxy from the ramrodders,