The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-09-19
ON SECOND THOUGHT
BY JAY E, HOUSE.
From Philadelphia Public Ledger)

THE national prohibition of the to-
bacco traffic" writer's a prepayment of
intolerance, as both a war and q
peace measure" We fear the propa-
gandist UNDERSTANDS his case. The ma
ticnal prohibition of the tobacco traf-
fic is much more than that.
| Having set UP the dictum that the
correspondent has expressed himself
/ in terms of repression, we take the
liberty OF restating his case. National
prohibition of the tobacco traffic Is
plain meddling by self-appointed CEN
sors of the code of personal behavior
with a matter which does not in the
least concern them. 1t Is self-compla-
cency and offensive personal egotism
sitting at ease upon liberty and right.
We go further. It is fanaticism
STEPPED In the poison of intolerance;
zeal gone stark. staring crazy, and
sense Of proportion wandering dazed
and alone in the realm of bigotry,
malice and oppression.
If that doesn't hold the propaxand-
list gentleman, there's more where that
came from.
The Hon. Dempsey is to receive an
honorarium of $225,00O for a season
| of fifteen weeks, in the vaudeville
theaters. We have hitherto mem
|
writing convincing brief for honest
toll. The Hon. Dempseys career not
only adds to the completely of the
task but also casts a reflection upon
the advantages of patriotism.
For those who take the responsible
lty for the Hon. Dempsey's appearance
\ in the temples OF dramatic art, the
episode resolves itself into specu-
lation in gullibility. The odds, we
should say, are about eight 10 five that
the public falls for it.
One of the peculiar notions of this
country is that It is all right for a
FARMER to make a lot OF money, but
reprehensible, If not actually criminal,
Tor anybody else to do so.
One who sees newspapers fron, Tho
agricultural regions reads frequent
boasts that this years crop equals. or
exceeds. the value OF the land on
which it grew. That sort of showing
" = manutactory or public service
corporation would make it the subject
or criminal prosecution.
Those who recall the episode in
which George Creel was thrown over
BOARD Will be interested in the news
that Mr.. Creel has come to the sur
race bringing with him a book writ
ten in his odd moments at the bottom
of the sea.
Mr.. Creel not only is a clever writ
ing man but he has the resilIency Of
an ex-consressman.
Il am a poor married man." writes
reader. II it were left to you which
word in the quoted phrase should you
consider superfluous?
In at least one aspect the kaiser
rises little above the level of his
| KIND. If is
was caught with the goods. He has
SO far, failed to file an alibi.
Entering. for the moment, the field
of horticulture. we note that the cob
In the blackberry is smaller than
usual this year and that the forma-
ton seems to carry less limestone.
1t has been a banner year for fruit.
The green bugs in the Strawberries
t were larger and juicier than ever
before.
. The spectacle of Senator Lodge
marching hand in hand with Borah,
: Johnson. Poindexter and others of the
|, bitter-enders" has provoked some
! comment here and there. A good
derstand the connection of the re-
pressed, cultured and intellectual
= Massachusetts senator with the "rab-
5 BILE rousers" from the far west. In
E Washington they say Senator Lodge
had his ambition. 1t was to be the
= great mollifer of the Republican par
{ ty. He hoped by his individual efforts
! to mold the differing and recalcitrant
E groups OF the Republican party into
I one smoothly, cohesive mass forma-
ton. One may concede that It was a
laudable ambition. And so, Senator
Lodge went about placating here,
I yielding there, dripping honey in one
! spot. amounting with healing unguents
in another. His attempts to oil the
way for his party brought him much
into contact with those who were in
. surgent. The first thing he knew he
! was out on a limb with them.