The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1915-01-11

and respect them and obey taem-
inere are In KansaA. as elsewhere.
evils to correct. abuses to reform, new
conditions TO meet. Theoretically, our
Representatives meet IN biennial ses-
sion t~ consider what changes are nec-
essary to our state statutes. that our
people may deal justly with one an
other; to make the rule of public con-
ouct ana private transaction clearer
and palmer: to correct injustice be-
tween man and man; to protect the
pl bic health and morals-these os-
tensibly are the objects Of the deliber-
ations of ur legislative bodies A
certain amount of legislation is nee
essary, but in practice how often do
we find personal motive or a pri-
e interest prompting the introduce
sr:. Of bill: how often do we find
members voting with small regard to
the intent or effect of measure: with
the result that hastily drawn, ILL
advised measures are enacted into
laws, cumber our statute books, breed
nugation. and work hardships to a
patient and lOng-su5fering people,
hope the Kansas legislature Of 1915
will give most careful reconsideration
to the need. the intent and the form Of
every measure which comes before it,
that our people may have constructive
legislation and be spared a flood of
unnecessary and confusing laws. Let
our effort be toward speedier and
cheaper administration of Justice: the
utmost simplicity of form nd lam
guage: neutrality-suspicious. of intent
and even-handed justice for every cit
lien OF Kansas no matter what his
condition. color or creed.
Kansas has been greatly blessed in
material things. But these are not
our greatest glory. The pioneers who
q aoA ft,1 To-
were hardy men and women, strong
OF heart and great of soul. They laid
the foundation for a great state 1t
was Kansas that led the way in the
great struggle for human freedom in
the SOS and the Kansas conscience.
during the last quarter Of a century,
mas done much in the nation to ele-
vate the moral and commercial stand
ards Of the people.
Kansas Has Constructive Laws
Kansas has a shining record of accom-
pifshment In the field of successful. con-
structive Hesitation: Its prohibitory law.
bank guaranty law. its primary election
law. its anti-pass law, its pure food law
and state text book law. show the Pre- :
Kansas people.
There has been a genuine effort in Kan
sas to incorporate into our body polite,
fundamental, moral ideals; we have tried
to base our laws upon eternal truths
which tend to righteousness. Kansas
comes nearer giving every man. woman
and child within its borders an absolutely
square deal and equal chance in every
department of life than any other COM
monwealth in this Union. And this has
been true because our Kansas citizenship
is made up of men and women dominated
by. Christian ideals of right living, high
thinking. decency honesty. sobriety. in
dustry and the noblest things of life Our
material prosperity. our high standards OF
PUBLIC morals. our personal well-being are
largely due to the fact that for more than
| thirty years the open saloon has been an
outlaw In this state. Our physical de-
velopment has not been blunted by the
degenerating influences of drink. And we
1914 forever settles the saloon question in
this state. That vote emphasizes as never
peiitcai nolicy Of Kansas Tbere st can Ne
no turning backward from the course
which has brought such manifold bless
expect the liquor evil like murder, arson
and highway robbery, to show itself al
times. but promise ycf, this administra-
| the most -searchin.. stringent. vigorous
and continuous enforcement of the pro.
hibitory law There cannot be any tenn
be any compromise with its partner In
| crime, the redlight district.
| To Lead in National Prohibition.
The record Kansas has made in proving
that prohibition does prohibit: the bless
as part of our fundamental law, make.
it Incumbent upon us as a duty to til,
nation as well as policy of self-protec
ton. to take the lead in an active propa
ganda for national prohibition. We mus
make the happy conditions We hav,
achieved known to the world To this ex
tent we are emphatically "our brother
keeper" We cannot evade the response
bility. It is our duty to say to the peopI
of the United States: 1.-The public health
the public peace the public morals, an,
the public welfare demand the comp1et,
eradication of the saloon and the absoltt
prohibition of its wretched and DESTRUCTIVE
traffic
III Many Of US who live in Kansas an
have learned to take prohibition as a mat
ter Of course, do not fully appreciate tn
intensity and the proportions of the strug
gle now waging in every part o
the United States for Nationa
Prohibition The victory is com
ing Just as surely as the Amerl
Il can people retain their sanity and 1udg
ment. But the battle will not be wol
H without herculean effort. From this tim
-