The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-07-30
As Independent Candidate for
Governor.
KANSAS TIRED Of PROHIBITION
So Declares Former Mayor of
Topeka.
Defines Planks in His Personal
Platform.


nounced his candidacy for governor.
With his announcement, he presented
a personal platform on which he will
stand for election to the governOrship
as an Independent candidate.
The former Topeka mayor declares
ne Will campaign on the theory that
Kansas IL tireo Of prohibition, both
because OF the expense of its enforce
ment and the fact that the constitu-
tional amendment was adopted nearly
clares there are too many laws on the
statute books and not enough Justice
In their provisions. He also points to
the light vote on the prohibitory
In his platform and declaration of
principles, Billiard says:
BILLIARDS. Platform.
In announcing myself as an inde-
pendent candidate for governor Of
Kansas, do SO feeling that the para
mount issue is still the resubmission
or the prohibltOry question. Candidates
and legislators have for years lodged
the question and the voters of Kansas
nave been denied the right to express
their sentiment at the polls.
Ihirty-four years ago, prohibition
was adopted by a majority of only
1898 of the votes cast on that ques-
ton, which was 7,168 votes less than
half the vote cast for governor at the
same election. So. that prohibition
"e-Ss IA A0Cts d0OQlcQ anu DlaCGQ IN our
state constitution by a minority vote.
AT that time the people did not
understand what prohibition meant;
they voted for prohibition to correct
the evils of intemperance. Now, that
they have seen how it works and the
are better able to decide whether it is
best to continue or make a change.
The laws made to enforce prohibi-
tion nave been made SO stringent as to
deprive the people of nearly all their
personal rights and liberties, even to
the extent of ignoring the constitu-
tlonal reservation that Intoxicating
LIQUORS could be sold for medicinal
scientific and mechanical purposes.
Kansas Tried Prohibition.
Il shall make my campaign on the
theory that Kansas is tired of the pro-
hibition farce and tyranny, from
platform unfolding and strongly ad-
vocating the resubmission Of the ques-
ton. After thirty-four years of pro-
hibition. the people should vote on the
question again. The voters Of today
should decide and not the voters az
the past generation.
However. 1 do not believe that re-
submission Is the only question in
volved in the approaeh hing camnaipn
The people of Kansas are clamorine
Tor release from the burdensome taxa
ton which they are now called unon
TO pay, and feel that the prohfbitory
law is the cause of a large per cent Of
this ever-increasing outlay of money.
Lower taxation, the initiative ana
referendum, and truly effective BUSH
ness administration should perhaps be
termed the paramount issues. This
would not conflict with resubmission
being my principal plank, as that ia
merely an application of the initiative
ana referendum to the prohibitory
For Personal Liberty.
Il believe in the PRINCIPLES of frdi.
viduaI liberty as enunciated in the
declaration of independence and fur
ther guaranteed by the constitution OF
the United States; that all men are
endowed with certain inalienable
rights. among which are life. nhertv
and the pursuit OF happiness: to Sc
cure these rights governments are
esta olsned, and all laws, state and
national, should conform to this wise
declaration Of our forefathers.
Long ON LAws-Sh0rt ON Justice.
favor the repeal Of all sumptuarv
Jaws. which are now an INFRINGEMENT
on the natural rights of the Deonie. 7
beheve that all innocent amusements
should be permitted to run on sun
Gays the only day that laborine men
can ENJOY themselves with their fam
lies. We have too many laws and not
enough Justice. Our laws should he
made so clear and simple that ali
could understand them; SO lust that
ali would be ready to uphold them.
Ihere ID no such thing as q sentf-
ment against the enforcement of laws
against murder. robbery, arson or kim
oreo crimes and all are ready to assist
the officers In enforcing such laws
Sucn, however, il not the case where
me- me laws interfere with personal lib
erties. The citizens of Kansas are law
abiding, but have greater respect for
justice than for law.
Voted for PrOhibitory Amendment.
Although opposed to prohibition 7
want 1t distinctly understood that +
am not fr favor of excessive drinking
nor the evils which attend it Nearlv
- years ago. I voted for the prohfbi-
tory amendment. hoping that It would
correct the evils connected with the
class OF saloons that existed at that
time. Experience has long ago con-
WINGED me that prohibition has not
produced the desired results: on the
other hand. 1t has produced far great
er evils IT has created q general dis
regard for all laws, disrespect for pub
lie officials. degraded and made per-
turers and criminals of many good cit
liens; this has resulted In a general
decentralization far greater than any
good it may possibly have accom-
plished- The citizenship Of Kansas
mas not become better. nor more sober
edy for excessive drinking and the
connected evils. II proper education
and development Of self control.
Il agree with the advocates of tenn
perance and prohibition as to the ends
to be attained. but differ from them
as to the means to be used in attain
ing those ends. I would gladly CO.
operate with them in any course which
in reality would tend toward the ele-
walton of good citixenship, morally and
intellectually, or that would make
better men. better women and better
communities In which to live. I be-
lieve that such ends can only be ac-
c0mplished ~ proper education and
the individual development Of self con-