The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-01-28
ON SECOND THOUGHT
BY JAY e. HOUSE.
tFrom Philadeiphia Public Ledssr.l

We already are sorry we registered
vow to participate only casually In tnS
Daniels-Sins war. Our dilemma ~
that of the speculative gentleman VINO,
his friends learned, had become the
patron of a brace game operated in
one of the community's sink holes OF
iuiquity. His friends promptly gave
him the office Stay away from
it," they advised, you can't beat it:
hts crooked II know it's crooked"
retorted the speculative gentleman.
| but it's the only game in town THAT'S
open in the forenoon"
Some such situation confronts the
column. Nobody can win IN the
Daniels-Sims war. but it's the only one
that's open at the present moment.
| We were unable, the other day, to
recall the flag under which we fought
in the Sampson-Schley war. We have
since refreshed our memory We were
with that gallant seaman. Admiral
Schley. The circumstance of our en-
listment under his battle flag comes
back to mind. An editorial writer
with whom we always quarreled over
matters of public policy was for Samp-
son.
Surprising as, at first thought, it
/
much of the deep and abiding convic-
ton. is arrived at in the same way.
1T is hard to see any difference in
fanaticism." says a correspondent OF
the New York Herald, whether con-
vince with smooth platitudes as brutal
in its nakedness. VIII people. most
people submit to 1t. while our law
makers revel in well-stocked cellars,
and our judges run no lack of supply"
J We were on the point of going over
to the prohibitionists. but the corre-
spondent of the Herald gives us pause.
We shall study his argument with a
view to finding out what It is before
finally committing the column to a.
position in the matter.
We have no kinship with those
whose business 1t is to make virtue
odious. but we doubt that anybody
has ever gone further. or said less.
than those upon whom the chains OF
the eighteenth amendment rest heav-
/ lily.
II the Indians still think they drove
a shrewd bargain when they unloaded
Manhattan Island on the Dutch. let
them take their s24 and see what they
can get for 1t.
So far. the Hearst newspapers have
taken no credit for the sale of the New
| Oih I1SIdl0 " VhunScy, Oh the
Sun. But. undoubtedly, il the Herald
is successful under its new manage
| ment, the Hearst newspapers gladly
will assume responsibility for the fact.
We should be more enthusiastic over
the discovery, by one of the popular
periodicals. of the identity of those re-
sponsible for the death of the car IL
we thought anybody wanted to know.
We have no knowledge as to the
manner in which soviet rule Is sue
feeding in Russia. but the war depart
ment at Washington has tacitly admit
/ ted it was a failure in the federal
prison at Leavenworth. where It was
tried for several months.
Certainly, had it been a success
neither Mr.. Secretary Baker nor his
subordinates would have taken the
conduct and government of the prison
from the convicts to again place the
unfortunate men under the brutal and
heartless military arm of the service.
We have referred to Mr.. Secretary
Baker. OF course, you remember
him? He is the pacifist gentleman
who was made the head of the mill
tary establishment of this country at =
the moment the greatest war in his
tory was being waged.
While we do not string along with
the New York assembly, Mr.. Hilquitt's
tacit threat that the assembly is open
ing the 'sluices of revolution" does
not alarm us. The Socialist gentle
men have been at 1t twenty-five years
| and they haven't started anything yet.
! And if the Socialist gentlemen will
pardon a suggestion. we shall take the
! liberty of offering it. This is an in
| opportune time to do SO. Better wait
until the country goes to sleep again.
Doubtless, Governor Edwards of
| New Jersey, rests under obligations to
which the public is not privy. but all
he has actually promised is to give
the state a sound. economical admin
istratIon md nullify the eighteenth
amendment.
Governor Edwards is warier than
| most. In the circumstance. some men
| would have promised things they
could not possibly perform.
"You have commented on Miss
Andrews's gowns writes a reader.
| What do you think of her hack"
We are in much the same position as
the Londoh busman. Backs are no
treat to US.
But we believe the unwapted spec
| tacle of woman's ear would again
entrance us.
Raymond Hitchcock, we fearn from
those who have attended the specta-
Gle over which he presides, is bestow.
ing his blondes and brunettes upon
his friends with a prodigality that Is
unusual and amazing. We hope Ray
mond doesn't forget his old sidekick
from Hicks Crossing.
Quesfions-AnstOers