The Osceola times., 1885-11-14
ARKANSAS STATE NEWS.
The Efforts to Enforce the sunday Law.at
Little Rock . Faiiure--Novel Way Of Pre-
sentIng Q Petition ct MerriItOn.


Tho Efforts to Enforce the sunday Lsw..at
Little Rock Failure-- Novel Way Of Pre-
senting . Petition st Msrriiton.
Tho Grand Jury of the Circuit Court OF
Pulaski County, among other important
questions, considered the Sunday liquor
law. The Little Rock Legislature, some
years ago, passed an enactment closing up
dramships of whatever nature in all cities
of the first class in Arkansas. This law has
since remained upon the statute books
dead letter, so far as Little Rock Is con-
cerned; at least 1t was practically disre-
garded by the authorities until Prosecuting
Attorney Leah went into Office last fall.
He had rattling up Of dried bones Of the
saloon keepers for the first few weeks after
taking his seat, and finally succeeded in
closing the front entrance TO all dramshops
on Sunday, but the lover Of "schnaps" had
TO have q drink on Sunday the same as
Monday, and pretty soon the Prosecuting
Attorney discovered that many of the sa-
looms were receiving custom through their
back doors. Many Of their owners were
indicted and heavy fines imposed when
brought before the courts Of justice, but
"schnaps" were sold just as though the law
sanctioned this unlawful traffic.
Mr.. Leah determined to let the matter
rest until the Grand Jury met at the pres.
ent session of the Circuit Court, when he
expected effectual evidence would be pro-
duced to put an everlasting quietus on the
back door system of Little Rock rum sell.
ing. But his disappointment was great ON
being called by the Grand Jury and re-
quested to tell all he knew concerning the
matter. He, however, informed the Jury
that he was ready to prosecute any
and everybody brought before him in an
official capacity, but must say that
when he was elected Prosecuting Attorney
the position of private detective was as
signed to another man. Several other per.
sons were examined, all Of whom had
heard that whisky could be bought in Lit
tie Rock on Sunday, but no one would
testify to personal knowledge of the fact.
The jury decided to let the Sunday law
rest and also the infringing dramshops.
shutting the front doors Of their houses.
There is no mistaking the fact that it is a
practical impossibility to close and keep
closed the saloons of city the size of Lit.
tie Rock on Sunday. The temperance ele-
ment tried that last year, but met with
signal failure.
Morrilton is flourishing little city on
the Fort Smith Railroad. The other day
some Of the best citizens Of the town, men
and women, circulated a petition asking
the County Judge not to grant the saloons
then running in the town license for 1886,
and after obtaining the desired number OF
signatures thereto, marched in a body to
the court room, the District Court then be.
ing In session.
Rev. B. B. Greathouse, Methodist min.
lister, in an appropriate talk presented his
Honor Judge Blankenship, the petition.
The Judge read 1t, and on informing the
petitioners that their prayer should be
granted, the ladies In a crowd struck
up . long metre doxology, and at
its conclusion Bro. Greathouse was re-
quested to lead in prayer. Permission
was obtained from the Court, and 1t is
said the reverend gentleman fairly shook
the shingles on the old Courthouse with
his thanks to Great Jehovah and the
County Judge for the blessing that day
granted the people of Morrilton.
The funny part of the above proceedings
Is that on the petitioners finishing their
singing and praying and Withdrawing
from the room, the Court becoming 50
wrapped up in what was transpiring, for.
got himself, and walked down from the
platform and out Of the courthouse, think
ing church services were over and the con.
gregation dismissed.