Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1853-04-01
PROHIBITORy LIQUOR LAW.
Proceedings IN the assembly ana. final action on t
Liquor LaV.

On motion of Mr.. Haertell, the House
went into committee of the whole on the
bill to abolish the traffic of intoxicating drink
as beverage, Mr. Barber in the chair
Mr.. Palmer moved to amend the bill so as to
prohibit the drink of such liquors as well as
the traffic. If men wished to legislate as to
what people shall eat or drink, he wished to
compel them to vote directly upon that cues
tion and not whip the devil around the st1mp
by directing their efforts to the traffic. Mr..
Donaldson SAID If any other bill had come
before this body, endorsed by so large num-
Der of petitioners, it would have been esteem
ed worthy of serious consideration. The
object of such amendments was to make the
bill odious. Mr.. Sholes said there was a
law prohibiting the sale of tainted meats
Why did not the gentleman from Milwaukee
Mr. Palmer,) act consistently, and have tina.
law so amended as to forbid men from eat
ing tainted meat? The law would be more
direct We every year passed laws reoula-
ting the sale of articles, but never lerislated
directly what men should eat and drink
Mr. Bartlett was surprised that measure so
reasonable and just SO loudly demanded,
should be treated in this manner. He then
proceeded to show that the principle involv-
ed IN the bill was not a new one: and had
clearly been sanctioned by the state and the
u. - IN their laws with respect to the Indi-
ans. If 1t was good when applied to them.
it was good when applied to white men,
Mr.. Belden was opposed to the amendment,
and thought it proposed to enact law which
we had no power or right to enact But it
was competent for us to regulate the traffic.
Mr.. Taylor said the bill already contained a
provision, the same in the effect as the amend
ment. 1t provided for furnishing men found
intoxicated. We might as we'll punish drin-
king as its effects. Mr. Sholes said, men in
that state frequently committed crimes of
which they would not other wise be guilty.
They were punished for these, and this was
furnishing the effects of drinking.
The amendment was adopted.
Mr.. Kicker moved to amend. by making
it crime to drink tea or coffee, or smoke or
chew tobacco. Mr.. Sholes said it was under
a conviction that 10000 people of the state
had asked for this bill, that this course was
pursued towards it. 1t was very manifest
what was the spirit of the House. 1t was
not necessary that business should be DELAY
ed by further considerations and he would
therefore move to report back to the House,
that direct vote might be had upon its
merits.
The committee rose
Mr.. Dennis vas onpqsnA 10. tl4aulItt.l las
it was doomed to be lost, the test vote might
as we'll be taken now as at any time. He
moved that It's further consideration be in
definitely postponed.
Mr.. Sholes would not occupy much time.
Gentlemen's minds We're already made up
with regard to it, This bill had been care
fully drawn up 50 as to avoid the constitu
tional objections raised against similar laws
in other states. The question of passing the
bill was one of expediencv. No one would
dispute the evil effects of lntemperance, or
deny, in good faith, but that the state would
be indefinitely benefited could we suppress
tipping. Doubts may be entertained wheth-
err this bill is likely to effect this. 1t is pro-
posed to submit the bill to the approval of
the people of the state, If a majority are
opposed to it, it becomes dead letter; if
majority favor it, it can be enforced. If APP
proved by the people, it goes into effect I'M
mediately; if not, it does not take effect till
after the next session of the Legislature, who,
in that case, would unquestionably repeal it.
Gentlemen thought this an improper sub
iect for legislation, and talked Of moral sua-
sion. He too was in favor of moral snasion,
but did not therefore think all laws unneces-
sary. There are many other vices which he
expected to see removed by moral suasion,
but in the mean time let lis have laws. IN
moral suasion was the ascendant now. The
submission of this law to the people, the
consequent discussion of this subject prior to
election, and general attention which would
be called to it would give new energies to
moral suasion, and would give healthy
tone to public sentiment upon it.
Mr. Bartlett spoke in favor of the bill, and
gave statistics showing the cost Of liquor
drinking, aud the amount of crime produced
by it.
Mr. Donaldson thought if the petitions
for this law were disregarded, they would
come here next time--wITH BOOTS.
Mr.. Lees said the friends of the bill CON
tended a majority of the people were in fa-
vor of it; the enemies that large majofity
were opposed to it. He should vote for the
, bin, that the lines might be drawn, and we
might know which was correct. If this was
a practical law, it was desirable. Mr. Den
mis- thought it better to have no law on the
subject He moved to postpone, as a test
vote, but if desired would withdraw the mo-
ton. The motion was withdrawn.
Mr.. Kicker thought he could make long
and tedious speech if he should try, but he
would not This law would 20 in force at
one time if approved by the people; at an
other if they did not approve it. 1t remin-
ded him of the Irishman who was determin-
ed to whip his wife if she sat up to wait for
his coming and if not. he would whip her.
Mr. Sholes then explained that it was so
worded to avoid constitutional objection. a
session Of the Legislature interviewed before
it went into force, if not approved, and it
would then be repealed. Mr. La Due would
support 10 bill on the subject except one
simply submitting the question to the PEG
pie, whether they wished it. Mr. Bacon
thought such bill useless and was surprised
at the manner in which this bill was oppos-