Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1879-05-08
II OPIUM LAW.
Action Of the Authorities.
ITS PROVISIONS TO Be VIGOROUSLY EN-
FORCED.
INTERESTING READING FOR PROP
EgTY OWNERS, WHOSE PREMISES ARE
LOCATED IN CHINATOWN.
Sellers, Smokers and Owners Alike
Responsible.

Ine "lnbrOuuctlon ana use OF opium IL one
OF the many evils that followed the advent
OF the Chinese on the Pacific Coast. As
long as its use was confined to the pig
tails themselves it excited but little COM
ment, but during the past decade it has
made such inroads into all grades and
shades of society as to create the l~iveliest
apprehension in the minds OF the great
mass Of our people, and our lawmakers
and others have endeavorcd to prevent its
spreading, but thus far without success.
Wherever a Chinaman has gone Opium has
been iusiduously introduced, and there is
no doubt that the children and other men,
bers Of many families where they are en-
ployed as servants, are slowly and surely
falling victims to this most terrible of all
vices. To prevent its sale and introduce
ton, and thus remove it from the reach of
those addicted to the habit, and Of those
likely to become so, has been the chief aim
of our legislators, and through the exer-
tions Of A~sscmblyman Smith, of Eureka,
who gave considerable time and attention
to the subject, the law approved February
Q, 1877, was amended during the last SEES
sion Of the Legislature. Its chief proyis-
ions are as follows:
a Stringent Kaw.
Section 2 specifies that any person or
persons who shall be found guilty of viola
ting the provisions OF the act, shall. on
conviction, be punished by a fine not ex-
ceeding 81 900, or by Imprisonment not
exceeding two years, or by both fiue and
imprisonment as the Court may adjudge,
and if the term Of Imprisonment extend
beyond a period Of six months it shall be
in the State Prison.
Section 4 Of the act OF 1877 is changed SO
as to providc that any person or persons who
shall Keep, or who knowing thereof, shall
knowingly permit to be kept any house,
room, apartment, or other place of any
kind, to be used as a place Of resort by any
person or persons for the purpose OF in
dnlging in the use Of opium, or any prepa-
ration containing opium, by smoking or
otherwise, shall, upon conviction, be pun
ished as provided by this Act.
Section 8 specifies that if any person
shall knowingly permit any house, room,
apartment, or place owned by him or her,
to he used for the purpose Of a resort to
indulge in the use OF opium, or any prepa-
ration containing opium, by smoking or
otherwise, 10 oi shs shall, on conviction
thereof, be punished as provided by the
Act.
Section 4 provides that Judgments OBJ
tanned under this Act shall be a lien on
the property where the otsense was COM
united, and the judgment shall not be dis
charged until the fine has been paid. This
will not attach in cases where the owners
may prove themselves ignorant of the
violation Of the law upon their premises.
Section 5 provides that the lease upon
any premises whore Opium may be sold
or used, shall be forfeited at the option Of
the lesser.
Section 6 provides that any person who
shall resort TO auy place for the purpose Of
indulging in the use Of opium, shall be
subjected to the punishments specified in
section 2.
IL VIII be seen by the provisions OF the
act above given that the parties who own
the premises On which the drug is used or
sold. the parties who use il and the parties
who sell II are all placed on the same foot
ing, . Subjected alike 10 fine aud i'm
prisoDment. No man in our community
can afford to take the chances OF leaving a
Chinaman in possession of his house un-
der this law, as he will be liable at any
time to be muleied in damages to such an
extent as would require many months
rent TO pay. This is the most rapid and
effective way Of checking the evil, and
proves that Mr. Smith appreciated the mag
nitude Of the task and struck at the roots
as well as the branches Of this rapidly
growing and pernicious habit.
Resuiss that May Follow.
The prevention of the sale and use Of
opium is not the only good result that may
be achieved by the vigorous enforcement
Of this law in Eureka. As stated in the
provisions OF the act the use of OPIUM on
any premises ~vitiates tho lease. Many Of
the houses in Chinatown are owned by our
white citizens, and they have now an OPP
%portunity Of getting rid of what at all
times must prove undesirable tenants. and
Of supplying their places with poor fami-
lies and lahoring men burnt out by the
fire. Should they pursue this course, and
other property ownsrs refuse to rent to
them within a specified limit, it would be
but a few months before the Chinese prob
lem would be solved. at least so far as it
relates to Chinatown. This is a field in
which Captain Rock and the ti-Chinese
Association can perform good service.
The Las TO be Enforced.
The District Judge is empowered by this
law to see that its provisions are enforced.
1t went into effect on the LIST of the present
month, and Judge Rives and District At
torney Merrill went to work promptly.
A circular, drawn by the Judge and Mr..
Merrill, was forwarded to the owners OF all
houses, whore the drug is used or sold, by
Sheriff Kyle, of which the following is
a copy:
NOTICE TO RoaIBIT THE SALE n USE OF
OPIUM.
To Mr.. john Jones You are hereby no.
tilted that the building situate on lot | 900,
in block 100, in Monroe survey Of the
Town Of Eureka, Nevada, and now owned
by You, is being used for the purpose of a
resort to indulge in the use of opium, and
selling of the same.
You are further notified hat the provis-
ions of an Act of the Legislature OF the
State Of Nevada, entitled, can Act amend
atory and supplementary of an Act enti-
tied An Act to regulate the sale or dis
posal Of opium. and to prohibit the keep
ing OF places OF resort for smoking, or
otherwise using that drug approved Feb
ruary 8, 1871" Approved March 8, 1879,
and the provisions of the Act of which the
foregoing is amcndatory, will be strictly
enforced with respect to said property, and
the occupants thereof.
Change Of Quarters.
Mr.. W. p. Haskell has commenced work
on n hsti11iuo m, AHA Urnnn1 xvbapa A..