Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1888-01-12

conditions, which are set forth in the deed.
Having no authority to accept such dona-
ton on behalf Of the State, respectfully
refer the matter to the General Assembly.
"Trusts."-I recommend that prompt
.measiircs be taken to protect the people
against the abuses under the cover of combi-
nations generally known as trusts or
pools" There Is a common belief that these
and similar combinations suppress competi.
ton. enhance the cost of the necessaries of
life, and lay heavy burdens upon those least
able to bear them.
PROHIBITION.
Much progress has been made in the enforce
ment of the ProhibitOry Law. Not only has
public sentiment much improved in relation
To IT, but judicial officers are more disposed
to secure its enforcement. Many judges give
strong testimony in its favor, showing that,
where ii has been well executed there has
been {; marked reduction in criminal oticnses
and also in court expenses. During the last
year. and particularly during its latter half,
there has been decided falling of in peni-
Tertiary convicts, and very large number
of county jails have been empty. some OF
them for the first time in years. There has
been n marked Improvement in the condition
of our poorer people, especially in the families
of laboring men addicted to strong drink.
What was formerly squandercd In the
saloon now goes to the support of wife and
children. Hundreds of witnesses to this can
be cited.
While there is very little difficulty now in
enforcing the law in the rural districts and in
A very large majority of the counties, there
are stil q few portions of the State, particu-
larry some of the larger cities. where the law
is not enforced. This. however, does not in
clude all such cities, for In DeS Mones. Sioux
City and Cedar Rapids three OF the largest
and most rapidly growing cities of the state.
the ProhibitOry Law is now, and has been for
the past year. well enforced. The COnstitu-
ton makes 1t incumbent upon the Govern
or to
ENFORCE THE LAWS.
There is not much difficulty In complying
with this Injunction In reference to the laws
generally. The law for the suppression OF in
temperance however Is. in some places an
exception Citizens have again and again
called upOn me to enforce the PrOhibitOry
Law In the few counties and places where.
as vet but little regard has been paid to it.
| in turn have called upon the Judges, Sherils,
and other officers to aid in accomplishing
this. but, ! regret to say. without success. !
know of no means at the command of the
Executive which can be relied upon TO secure
better results in the future. | therefore
recommend that a joint committee OF the
General Assembly be appointed early IN the
session to inquire into the reasons for the
nOH-cntOrcemcnt of this law In certain com
muniticS: and whether the officers there are
npIlrCtiul OF lltli duties. ! llllUh some
measures should he adopted to quicken the
conscienceS of the officials. who neglect or re-
fuse to perform their sworn duty; or else pro-
vide Il way for their SUI pension or removal
Ii Is n disgrace to the State to have its
authority so openly dehcd Our people are
strong in their convictions that this law
should be enforced as we'll as others, and il is
the duty of the Legislature to provide the
means The authority of the Legislature in
these matters is no longer II subject of dis
putc. The recent decision of the supreme
Court of the United States settles that qucs-
ton. and on grounds so broad and just. as to
make II impregnable and final The chief
and confident hope Of the OppUsclS and
violators of the Jaw has been that this
tribunal of final resort would set ii aside or
at least so impair its efficiency as to render
its further continuance impossible. On the
contrary, this decision sustainS the principle
CT the law so completely and sweepingly
as to become its strong bulwark of support
and defense. Tie Court says there is no
justification for the claim that such law
aims to deprive the citiz"n of his cOnsttu-
tiOnal rights 'fOr We cannot shut ont OF
view the fact within knowledge of all, that
the public health. the public morals, and the
public safety, may be endangered by the gen
eral use OF ntONCatiu" drinks; nor the fact,
established by statistics accessible to every
one that the idleness. disorder, paupcrism,
and crime existing in the country are. IN some
degree at least, traCeabe to this evil. II.
therefore. q State deems the absolute prOli-
btiOn of the manufacture and sale within
her limits. of Intoxicating liquors for other
than medical, scientific, and manufacturing
purposes. to be necessary To the peace and
security of society, the courts cannot, without
usurping legislative functions, override the
will Ofthe people n thus eXdrcsscd by their
chosen representatives. The Court further
declares that the right to manufacture intOX-
iCating drinks for general or individual use,
as a beverage does not lnhere in citizenship,
and that no ones constitutional rights OF
liberty or property, are intcripred witt. when
such manufacture and sale are forbidden by
the State. With this powerful support, il
only remains for the friends of good govern
ment and law and order. in Iowa, to press
patiently. vet resUluteIy. forward with this
great reform, until the saloon and all Illegal
manufacture and sale of Intoxicating liquors
are utterly destroyed. Such amendments
should be made to the law as are needed and
best calculated to make it thoroughly eifec-
tive In accomplishing its purpose.
CONCLUSION.
have now. to some extent. set before you
the condition of the state. and have recon-
mended such matters as seem to me eX
pedient. | am not. and feel sure that you
will not be-. unmindftIl of the fact that great
care should he taken in the change and
amendment Of our statutes. The whole body
of our laws is Il growth Of many years. and
it should not be unnecessarily or lightly in
tertered with Only such additions and
changes should be made as justice and the
public welfare clearly require. Relying upon
the continued favor of Divine Providence.
and with great faith in the uprightncsS and
patriotism of the people, shall gladly CO.
operate with you in the adoption of such
measures as seem TO be best calculated to
promote the advancement and prosperity Of
the State. WILLIAM LARRABEE.
January 10, 1888.