The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-01-25
THE IOWA PROHIBITION LAW.
Opinion of the Governors, the Late and the
Present One, Upon Its Efficiency.

Ex-Governor Sherman, in his retiring mes
sage, thus spoke of the prohibitory law of Iowa.
as seen from his standpoint, as the executive
officer of the State:
notwithstanding the adverse opinions and
unfriendly criticisms INDUCED in by the oppo-
nents, there is no doubt the prohlbitory liquor
law has been reasonably successful That the
principle of the law is still dominant with the
people must be conceded, for, while not in direct
made so by the saloon interest, and by
deusive argument and false statement
sought to be brought into contempt; but
the scheme failed and the people remained firm
IN the determination that prohibition must con-
rinue the order of the State I am aware that
the law is violated in very many Of our cities,
but this argues nothing for its repeal-the same
may be said as regards the law against burglary
End other graver crimes, yet none desire their
modification. am persuaded there is less OF
liquor drinking in Iowa than previously-less OF
crime. which outgrows its sale and use and
therefore of public and private good. All this
should stimulate its better enforcement. After
quite thorough and patient investigation, | am
satisfied the law is very generally. observed
throughout the State, and has more of the intel
ligent public Endorsement than when enacted
two years ago. It must be continued, therefore,
and, as far as reasonably possible made more
rigorous
In his inaugural address, Governor Larrabee
said:
''The monstrous train of evils growing out of
the use of alcohol, or rather its abuse is at
tracing more and more each year the attention
of the intelligent and thoughtful people not only
OF this country, but of the whole civilized
world The magnitude of those evils can hard
ly be overstated. This is admitted by all; that
stringent measures should be adopted for their
correction is also admitted by ALL Yet how to
efectually remedy them is question vet to be
solved. The remedy is not as manifest as the
evil The person who has entire confidence in
his remedy is either blinded by self-suficiency
or is ignorant of the many difficulties attending
the solution of this problem. Many experiments
to check the excessive use OF alcoholic liquors
have been made, and various remedies have
been tried, but the success of no one of them has
yet been such to prove conclusiyely that it Is
better than some other remedy; and this is.
therefore, a subject for further experiments
ton. Questions of this kind require for their
final solution calm and cold reasoning, on clearly
recognized principles and the Punishment of sem
tlment The enormity of the evil should prompt
unanimity of action among those desiring to
correctlt No such unanimity is attainabe I'M
less Difference is paid to the will of the majority
OF those who interest themselves in the cause,
and whatever remedy is agreed upon by the ma
Jorlty should be heartily and earnestly sustained
by all. The dram-shop should never again have
a legal existence in Iowa. This much should be
apparent to all
THE saloon is the educational institution
which takes no vacation recess and whore the
lowest and most prenicous political doctrines
are taught. It's thousands of graduates may be
found in all positions of wretchedness and dis
grace and are the most successful candidates
for our poor-houses and penitentiaries 1t is the
bank where money, time, strength, manEneSs,
self-control and happiness are deposited to be
lost, where drafts are drawn on the widows and
orphans, and where dividends are paid only to
his satanic majesty Let it perish For thirty
years our statutes prohibited the sale as bev-
erage, of strong liquors, and permitted munich
palities to prohibit or license the sale of wine
and beer. Those engaged in the traffic how
ever, invited by the persistent demand OF their
patrons and political allies for more freedom of
trade, constantly dsregarded the restrictions
imposed upon them by law Their course pro-
voked such of our citizens as were devoting their
best energies to the advancement of the temper
ance cause to demand entire prohibition of the
sale of all intoxicating liquors. A proposition to
amend our State Constitution for ibis purpose
was submitted and agreed to byyEwo General
Assemblies, and then referred, at non partisan
election to the people, who ratified it by ma
jority of nearly thirty thousand votes. At least
three fourths of the voting population of the
State favored the amendment
THE law has not yet proved failure, nor has
it proved an entire success. Reason and justice
dictate such action as will give the law fair
trial. A fair trial implies not only that the law
should remain upon our statute books for suf
fcient time to test its constitutionality and the
honest and determined effort should be made to
secure obedience to it.
''Self-respect imposes the obligation upon us
to ascertain whether the saloon and the Liquor
League are stronger than the State government,
and whether these elements shall be permitted
to treat the laws of Iowa with contempt. The
question is not between prohibition and license,
but whether law or lawlessness shall rule. In
any event. whatever may become necessary to do
must not be done at the dictation of the enemies
of law and good order. True Americans are
law-abiding and recognize the right of the ma
jority to rule. and the duty of the minority to
yield obedience. In the large cities and in com
munities where public sentiment is opposed to
the law, it is openly and fiagrantly violated.
The honor of the State compels us to vindicate
its majesty Private individuals and private
contributions cannot be relied upon TO enforce a
law which the ill-gotten money of the saloon
and the partisan intrigue of the demagoeue con-
stantly aid to defy. 1t is, under such circum-
stance. clearly the duty of the State to come to
the rescue of the individual. Public funds
should be appropriated, and. if necessary the
whole power of the State should be brought
into requisition, to secure obedience. Whatever
authority may be vested in me will be unhesitat
ingly exercised"