The Kansas herald of freedom., 1855-05-26
Fsr lie Herald q Freedom.
The Liquor Traffic.

The Liquor Traffic.
TorExA, X. T., May Is, 1855.
Alta meeting Of the citizens of Topeka,
convened at Mr.. Moore's boarding house,
on the evening Of May 18th. Capt. GREI
was called to the Chair, and DIR. MERRIAM
was chosen Secretary.
DR.. MARTIs was called on 10 state the
object of the meeting, and said
ssIt is well known that liquor has been
sold here. and not only to Whites, but &c
the Indians thereby, not only has the
morals and reputation of the place been
injured. but our property and even lives
endangered Hardly man can be found,
either Northerner or Missourian who
does not condemn the traffic in ardent
Spirits
Capt. HENRY then followed with some
very forcible remarks urging the neces-
sity of prompt and decided action in this
matter, and moved that a committee be
appointed to draft resolutions to be sub
-mitted to this meeting. Messrs. Dyer,
Ritchey, and Emerson were appointed by
nomination.
While awaiting the report of the COM
mittee, hessrs. Trot, Irish, Mcintyre,
Merriam, and Stratton, were successfully
called for and responded in brief, butper-
tinent and forcible remarks.
The committee then reported the fol-
lowing preamble and resolutions -
Wksreas;; We, the citizens of Topeka,
believe the sale of ardent spirits. as a
beverage, to be pernieious to the commu-
nifty, an unmitigated evil, producing
drunkenness. debauehery and disorder
on the Sabbath. ceirupting the morals,
disturbing the peace, ifjuring the repu-
tation. and hindering the prosperity and
growth of the place And, whereas, the
Topeka Association have. prohibited the
sale of ardent spirits-as they had right
to do-upon lots by them Donated, and
as proofs are abundant, that one of oul
citizens is violating this regulation b.
selling whiskey, not only to Whites, bu
also TO Indians; therefore,
RESOLVED. That we, the citizens of, To
peka, do hereby pledge ourselves tostant
by each other in the enforcement of the
above prohibition .peaeeaJty if we can
forci6ty if we must;'' and that in broae
daylight.
Resolved, That we recognize the prin
icipies of the Maine Anti-Liquor Law, a.
being of binding force among us, and
hereby declare the same to be the law o
this city and vicinity.
Resolged, That we pledge ourselves
individually and collectively, to do al
that lies in our power for the enforcement
of the above law in this vicinity.
RESOLVED, That to this end, we hereb.
appoint Capt. Sanford Henry as our Con
stable, whose duty it shall be, on being
presented with written complaint, 0
any three responsible citizens, to immedi
ately enter and search the store, dwelling
or other place of which complaint i
made, and seize and take into his posses
sion, until otherwise ordered, such Ii
quors as he may find.
Ites0sVed, That MeSsrs. Case, Bliss
Ritchey, Pierce, and Trot, shall be /;
committee, whose duty it shall be to taxi
into immediate consideration, any cas-
arising under these resolutions, and adj
judge whether the liquors in question
were intended for sale as beverage; ant
if so, to order their destruction, if not, t.
order their return to the owner.
RESOLVED, That we unitedly pledge our
selves to uphold, in word and deed, on
Constable and Committee in the perform
ance of their duties, and that we vii
mutually bear all attendant expenses.
1t was then voted that Messrs. Irish
Weymouth, and Whiting, be redueste,
to wait upon Mr.. J. F. Jones, and inform
him of the action of the meeting, an,
present him copy of the above resolu
! tions.
Voted, that a report of the proceeding
be forwarded to the Lawrence paper
with a request for publication.
Voted, to raise committee of three t
draft Constitution and Bylaws for
Temperance League. Messrs. Merriam
Stratton, and Adams were appointed.
| Adjourned one week.
| J.F. MERRIAM, Chr.
SAMUEL GRAY, Sec'y.