The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-03-12
Prohibition in Kansas.

To any one who has followed the
workings of the session just closed, il
Will be needless to say that the State
Legislature has been controlled by eX-
tremists. men Of narrow, empirical
views and mediocre ability.
Compromising principle to save par
ty, thousands of republicans who are
opposed to prohibition voted to make
the Legislature of this StateOverwhelm-
ingly republican,; and they did so with
the hope and assurance that liberal and
enlightened legislation on this question
would free the State from the disgrace
full hold of an arbitrary and unjust law
But instead of relaxing the severity of
the law it has been made more arbitra-
~. more rigid. The new prOhibitOry
law of Kansas is a cast-iron, seamless
affair. Governor MARTIN signed it
with few admonitOry swallows, and it
is now i'll force The REFLECTOR
takepleasure in laying it in full before
readers.
Personally, the REFLECTOR ID not
concerned about the law, but the great
principles Of Democracy, which guaran-
tee to the individual the largest liberty
compatible with good government, are
opposed to such restrictive, arbitrary,
hide-b0und laws. The thousands Of re-
publican reSubmisSiOnists who voted
the republican ticket last fall, under
protest, had a right to expect better
treatment at the hands of the men they
elected to represent them. As it is
now, they must see it is folly to longe
think that the republican party of this
State will represent their views, and if
they are honest and sincere in their op-
position to prohibitOry law they
must enter fully into the democratic
party, the present and traditional pol
icy Of which is opposed to the principle
embodied in the law. The democratic
party of this state should not, and we
believe will not. make any further COM
promise with republican TeSubmiSSion-
lists. The democratic party of the
State will be direct in its opposition to
prohibition, and its anti-prOhibition
republican friends are invited to join
its ranks. If prohibition is to be done
away with it must be through the DEM
ocratic party.
Gov. MARTIN, during the last cam
paign, threw around himself a halo of
virtue by declaring that he would not
take an oath to support the constitution
and laws of his State with lie upon
his lips and perjury in his heart" He
has put upon record his intention to
enforce the laws, and he must, perforce,
use the power of his Office to enforce
the new prOhibitOry law, the main pro-
visions of which are:
l. \ druggists permit is required
for the sale of liquor. This may be OBJ
tanned from the probate judge, on pre-
sentation of a petition signed by twelve
freeholders, certifying that the appli-
cant has good moral character and is a
bona fide druggist. The power to issue
the permit is discretionary. The per-
nit must be posted in conspicuous
place.
,. Physicians may give prescriptions
stating name of purchaser and for what
purpose the liquor is prescribed in cause
of manifest need, but if such prescrip-
ton is given to evade the law, the ply
stefan is subject to both fine and inn
prisonment.
8. At the end of each month the drug
gist shall file in the Office of the probate |