Buchanan County bulletin and guardian. (Independence, Iowa) 1866-1869, 1867-03-26
Gov. Stone on Violations of the LIQUOR
Law:

From the Iowa City Republican.
A petition was signed by many Of our
citizens asking Gov. Stone to remit the fine
imposed by the Court on J. b. .Seyhera for
violations Of the liquor law. The petition
was forwarded to the Governor bv Col. Will
Jams, hence the former direescd his reply to
the COL, which is as follows:
Knoxville, Iowa. Feb 18th, 1867.
Col. JONI WILLIAMS, Iowa City,
Ny DEAR SIR Yours Of the 22d ult.,
In closing petition for the reverb IN of a fine
imposed by the District Court of johnson
county agains, J. b. Seykora, for selling
liquor in violation of law. is before me.
This reques. of Executive clemency being
urged with apparent earnestness. am in.
duced by the cordial respect entertained for
the excellent gentlemen whose names are
appended to the petition to give it something
more than silent refusal. Applications to
relieve persons from penalties incurred for
this offence, have become SO numerous of
late. that | have been compelled to adopt
rule declining to interfere with the courts,
except in cases of manifest hardship and
injustice. The open and persistent disre,
gard Of the prohibitory liquor law, in many
portions Of our State, and tie difficulties ex.
perienced in successfully prosecuting this
class OF criminal offenders seem to require
that the executive authority should be- ex>
er;ed to assist the Judiciary in its praises
worthy efforts 10 suppress this illegal and |
pernicious traffic. In my opinion, the man |
who deliberately sets an enlightened public !
sentiment at defiance by wiliully violating
the provisions Of this salutary law, thereby
entailing pauperism and crime upon the
community in which he lives, is not, as a
general rule, proper subject for Executive
favor. Several years experience and careful
observation in public life have impressed me
with the conviction, that the hardened and
defiant dram-seller is more dangerous man
IN community than he who, merely Welding
to temptation, steals horse OF picks his
neighbours pocket. am advised, however
BY the paper before me, that the applica ut
regrets his past conduct, and has firmly re.
solved to abondon this disreputable bust.
ness. His penitence, though somewhat late,
is certainly quite commendable, and I trust
his example will exert wholesome infiu.
ence upon others. But the intelligent gen.
tlemen who indorse this application cannot
be ignorant Of the fact, that Mr.. Seykora is
j OsS Va NhooC CApttiCuSSu 6tlu DOlu Ollie nut Is
who, receiving encouragement for IMMUNITY,
imagine themselves beyond the reach of law,
and who, when finally overtaken by its
merited penalties, express abundant sorrow
for past errors and become emphatic in Their
future good conduct. have but little faith
In compulsory reformation, under any circum
stances, and much less in that produced BY
the hope OF exemption from pecuniary pun,
ishment.
am also Informed that, shaving obtain,
ed the usual Revenue license for the sale o
liquors, he supposed it gave him the right t
sell without regard to the laws Of the State Z
Inasmuch, as the Revenue law expressl,
provides that the license shall be used il
subordination to State laws, and the court
throughout the &C unry have always so held
thi innocent supposition Of Mr.. Seykoras i
quite remarkable and especially SO, whel
we consider that his associates and custom
ers are gentlemen Of character aud intelli
gence, three of whom, at least, are disting
uished members CT the legal profession.
In short, all the matters now urged q
grounds for Executive interior ence coul
and should have been presented 10 the lea, I
ed Judge who tried the case, nor does il az
pear but what. they we're duly considered b
him in assessing the ine,; and in the at
sence Of any specific and controlling cirun
stances, cannot believe that it would sui
serve the Interest Of your community TO Sc
aside that deliberate judgement.
Allow me in conclusion, to suggest tbs
the active zeal manifested by the advocate
Of temperance, and the increased vigor di,
played by Jurors and courts in the enforc,
ment Of the prohibitory law, are source {
qualification TO every friend OF order and b,
manity in our State. The growth of th
reformatory sentiments should be encourar
ed and strengthened until the faithful exec,
ton Of this law can be everywhere secured
During its entire history, the State OF low
has been comparatively exempt from III
evils Of an unrestrained traffic in arder
spirits, and as legitimate Consequence, "
have, according to public statistics, less VI
grancy and pauperism, and smaller ayel
age number Of convicts in the penitentiar,
in propotion to our population, than an
. other State in the Union. We must M
falter in this good work. Let the citizens {
Iowa feel that they live in q land Of Law on
order; and let the stranger who come
: within our borders know that be is among
people where temperance and sobriety 81
cardinal virtues.
Your Friend,
WI. NJ. STONE.