Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1883-07-13
AN EXPECTED RESULT.

AnOtner attempt 10 enforce the pro-
hibition law in this county has met
with complete failure, and we believe
we express the sentiments of three
fourths of the citizens of this county
when we say that the result meets with
general satisfaction. The case referred
to originated in the city council in
structing the city marshal, W. III. Weld
ner to make complaint against any per-
son he had reason to believe was selling
liquor contrary to law. Weidner Sc
lected Eli Smith, druggist, as the per-
son To make a test case of, and when
his complaint was filed and warrant
issued on his affidavit, the prosecuting
attorney went heartily into the prosecu-
ton. A large number of citizens petit
toned the justice and the prosecuting
attorney to discontinue the prosecution
giving good reasons for the request.
The petition was not granted. Then the
prosecuting witness, Weidner, resigned
his office, and in writing asked leave to
withdraw the complaint, alleging that
he had been misinformed as to his du-
ties as an officer. This request was re-
fused. So the case came to trial and
resulted as most everyone supposed it
would, in the defendant being acquit-
ted.
We leave aside the details of the case,
further than are mentioned in our local
CpIf1nfna nn1 ,rlr hnf
generally regard the result as a
fitting rebuke to the justice
and his hackers who have been instru-
mental in these prosecutions. They
ARE pleased that test case has been
made and the city council defeated in
their attempt to wreak vengeance on
men who dared oppose their election.
The people are glad to see these cases
settled for all time to come, and
it is hoped, that there may be an end to
piling up great bills of costs against the
tax payers of the city and county, with
out any consequent benefit following.
The people have never demanded these
prosecutions, and they have seriously
objected to them being instituted. If
further proceedings are instituted there
will be protest go up that will amount
to something; but we hardly think that
any further proceedings will be had at
present.
There is now, we believe, DISPOSE
ton on the part of citizens to have the
old order of things, as carried out by
the former council, reenacted. 1t is the
general opinion that a reasonable occu-
patton tax, or it may he called fine,
should be assessed monthly against the
parties who sell liquor. This will pro-
duce sufficient revenue to pay city
marshal to preserve order, and might
without being oppressive on the liq-
or dealers, put small balance in the
city treasury after paying such an off,
Ger. Then if these men will use judg-
ment in selling their wares, observe
reasonable hours, and prohibit bolster
GUS conduct around their places of bus
mess, they will have the protection OF
citizens generally. There will be nc
danger of a drunken mob. and should
any such attempt to take the city, it,
career will be short lived.
We hope this matter will be duly con.
sidered, and that the city council will
exercise common sense i'm arriving al
their conclusions rather than being in
tiuenced by any class of religious OF pro.
hibition fanatics.
If the council will do the fair thing II
will receive the cooperation of all good
citizens.