Richland beacon. [volume] (Rayville, La.) 1869-1890, 1881-12-10

Effects 0f Prohibition.
LINCOLN PARIsH, La, Dec. 3rd, 1881.
EDrroR BsAcoH:
Dsar Sw-ln response 10 your inquiry ~ TO
the effect prohibition has rad on this parish,
herein give yon the best Information can
obtain, in;,uling tina, obtained by observation.
Since the prohibition Law wen, into effect
last January, | ar officially informed, there
has been sone falling of in the a erag. csimi.
nal docke, Of this parish; Lu, very few cases
of concealed weapons, assault and bal:e'y, dis
turbiGg the public peace. etc. This speaks
we'll for its moral effects ON the parish at
large.
The effects of prNhibi,ion are perhaps more
noticeable in viennan the parish capitol, than
oil other portions Of the parish combined.
Before the Law took effect there were fou;
saloons in operation and all seemed to be do,
ing pretty fair business; when we take into
consideration the fact that the town has only
about five hundred population, we might say
they did a remarkable business Arrests
| were not infrequent, and rs the town was not
possessed Of q suitable boarding house for
| viols,ors of her sacred laws she decided 10
build house s,;c:y .H their use, which she
did a short W.. before mo license was
voted and CAV :: the euphonious name Of
sCalaboose ;:.ce prohibition assumed con.
troll the number Vi arrests have not exceeded
twelve, and think there have been only two
or three violators confined in the calaboose
This argues we'll for the moralizing influence
i, has had at the capitol.
The change has worked a great deal Of
good Throughout, the parish in a moral sen-e
and would have done great desl more could
the law have been properly enforced. " his
Ky being allowed en- sale fer medicinal pur'
poses, it is generally believed that prescrip
tons have been given by physicians, or sup
posed 10 have been kiven by physicians. il
numbers of cases where the patients condition
was no worse than a crszed desire TO be nnde
the influence of whisky; it is also though
tina, druggists have taken advantage Of ,tei
authority to that extent that they themselve
have prescribed. when the price Of the whis
ky hes been rendered them, even in case
where there was no complain, Of sickness
All this may or may not be true, but opinion
is in favor of its ruth.
There have been two jury terms OF co"'
here since the prohibition law took effect. an
Notwithstanding the energetic efforts Of LIN
coins worthy and efficient District Auorne
and the untiring efforts OF the grand jurie:
they have fa,'ed to unearth sutficien. evidenc
to convict any Of those whom the public lon
|, 6rger has been pointing to As infractors o. IN
license" Jaw The court has done all il ccul'
but have the peop!e done their duty !" assis
, ing the COURT Thisis question thu. oil pr
hilton communities viii rave 70 wrest!e viii
There seems to be . relucssncy on the part I
tho people to see this law enforced; ina
laboring under the srro"es.us belief tho: Il
law 10 unjust that 1t is s,hiiy taking away "
liberties OF TIE lar srepef anu gtv'nR " I" "
e druggist. and therefore wit, n.a give in az
evidence that may have the Ieas, tendency Z
ward conviction. ~-
= That prohibition. in effect as wDs1n nam
|. il great moraiizer ami pr11scss Va
! !, amount of good to country. no we'll reg"'
4 ted mind can deny. But prohibition does
= make honest men Of rascals, nor does it NAL
= constitutional prsvaricssors tell the truth eve
= time therefore. if il fails to accomplish u
sood for which it is intended you can r.
Q under the cert.in conviction that there il
, rotten egg in the nest, and the SOONER IT
q smashed the better, for If allowed to Fems
. hs putrsfying Influence will havs So''a'i
8 mating effect on others. w.