The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1882-07-14
PROHIBITION FOR WISCONSIN,
By WALLACE MYGATT

AT varying intervals cCmmunica-
tions reach the public which contain
averments that prohibitory laws are
not, and cannot be enforced in states
where the same have been enacted. It
is noticeable that most, if not all these
effusionS, contain the fiippant inquiry:
Does prohibition prohibit? That in
quiry has been repeated with such fire.
quency that one is inclined to ask why
those words have not been stereotyped
and placed in readiness for instant use.
The utteranees contained in the pub
legations referred to are often (appar-
entity strengthened by statistics having
the nature of mathematical demon
stration. Referring to those comnu-
nications and their accompanying stat
istics, one inquiry naturally forces
itself into consideration: Do the
writer's intend to miSlead the minds of
men, or do they, with laudable purpose,
enter upon an endeavor to educate the
public mind to a painful knowledge of
the fact that the liquor traffic is an II
repressible evil that law and human
endeaYor cannot overcome? If one
was disposed to be charitable he might
allude to the compounded figures as
the irony of circumstances otherwise
he would need to comprehend that be-
tween strong drink and the writers
there was an irresistible affinity. Sa-
loon keepers as well as burglars have
their pards, and the last named, though
they may have some mental acquire
ments, have also acquired appetites,
which to satisfy. they often produce
statistics as deceptive as the work of
the practiced magician. who Go out
ward appearance swallows Ratchet
land thereafter draws the same forth
from the leg of one of his boots.
These statistics are promulgated to
show that public sentiment does not
support prohibitory laws, consequently
they do not receive such enforcement
as to cause them to be respected, valid
and effectual. Within, and in the
vicinity Of the saloons in Chicago, the
average murder list reaches to about
one per week Nine-tenths of these
red-handed murderers escape the halter
and the largest portion of them escape
punishment altogether. The same re-
mark applies to thieves, burglars and
| highWaymen. In view of that fact,
and reasoning from the data used by
those who antagonize prohibitory legis-
lation, is not the argument fully as i'm
pressiYe, urgent and fair. that would
demand the repeal of al criminal laws
in Illinois, as for the repeal of prohib-
itory laws in Kansas, or in other states
where the same have been enacted.
| But the statistics which the experts
employed by distilleries and retailers of
strong drink prepare exhibit to the
public deductions that show a larger
number Of arrests for violation of en-
actments restraining the liquor traffic
in the prohibitory states, in proportion
| to population, than in states where
license laws prevail. Those statistics
will stand nothing more than the strain
of superficial investigation. Stripped
and Invested Of exaggerations, the same
photographed with fidelity to. the
human mind, merely show that trans
gressors in states where prohibitory
laws are in force are hunted by the
officers Of the courts and brought
to constrained repentance. The OBJ
verse of that picture is the well known
| fact that so far as relates to punish
ment for offences arising out Of the
liquor traffic the law walks upon
crutches in states where license laws
prevail. In, Wisconsin the liquor in
terest dominates in the legislative as
sembly, and saloon keepers are enabled
to dictate, fashion and shape laws hay
ing relation to their pursuits. Arts
ing from this condition of affairs the
restraining laws that have reference to
this subject are loose garments that
open the door to legal posturing in the
courts. But flexible and defective as
the restraining laws are, the fair en-
forcement of the same in Wisconsin
during single week would carry more
offenders before the legal tribunals
than the rigid enforcement of prohibit
DRY laws in Maine during an entire
year.
The noble enactments upon this sub
iect in Kansas date back but brief
period. In that state the bud indicates
the Towering that is to ensue, and the
full fruition can only he expected to
come by one degree and another
Though cold, though frost, though snow the
new year bring,
| What follows next except the bloom of spring.
In Kansa S, so far as relates to pro-
hibitory laws, the Universities OF the
! new year have been followed BY the
sweet scented blossoms Of spring; and
everywhere one may behold al i'm
proVement in the moral and material
condition of the people of that state.
With the exception of two or three
centers of population, the prohihitory
laws are as rigidly enforced in Kansas
as airy other criminal laws of that
state. AT these two or three centers
of population, now morally bleak, pub.
lie judgment will ripen by one degree
and another, and an improved sentiment
will hasten the present tardy footsteps
of the law. 1t is usually noticeable
that the minds of men have been ele-
waited to a higher and better standard
upon the question Of the liquor traffic
following the enactments of prohibit
DRY laws; and though the altered con-
dition of the public mind may come
with a slow pace, it is continuous, ado
descent and steadfast.
With the exceptions above referred
to, the conditions relating to this ones
ton in all portions of Kansas are be-
coming more and more suspicious and
virile, consequently one may joyfuny
notice that the antagonizing clouds are
moving steadily away from before the
glinter of. the sun. The people of that
state have indeed passed successfully
through two notable struggles, the first
of which prevented the introduction
of unrequited toll; the second strife
between debauchery and sobriety. Her
noble executive, his excellency John P.
5. John, may, standing upon the steps
of her capitol. building, read with JUS
tifable pride the first and thereafter
the second declaration of state indie
pendence.
One may not perhaps be justified in
removing the ashes that cover a foul
stencil; but pointing the readers of the
TELEGRAPH to any one of the centers
of population within the boundaries of
Wisconsin what do they behold /?
Kenosha contains a population of foe
4 J a