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
measures be taken to protect the people
against the abuses under the cover of combi-
nations generally known as trusts or
pools" There Is 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 il has been well executed, there has
been marked reduction in criminal otlenscs,
and also In court expenses. During the last
year. and particularly during its latter half,
there has been Il decided falling of In prni-
Tertiary convcts. and very large number
of county jais have been empty. some Of
them for the first time in years. There has
been marked Improvement In the condition
Of our poorer people, especially IN the families
of laboring men addicted to strong drink.
What was formerly squandcred 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 ana In
q very large majority of the counties, there
are still few portions of the state, particu-
larly some of the larger cities, where the law
is not enforced. This. however, does not in
clude all such cities. for In Des Moincs. 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. on
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, sheriflS.
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
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of this law in certain COM
munitics; and whether the officers there are
nc9lrCtful Of their duties. ! think some
measures should he adopted to quicken the
cOnsCcnccs of the officials. who neglect or re-
fuse to perform their sworn duty; or else pro-
vide a way for their sus pension or removal.
1t is n disgrace to the State to have its
authority so openly dcied Our people are
strong in their convictions that this law
should be enforced rs well as others, and it is
the duty of the Legislature to provide the
means. The authority of the Legislature in
these matters is no longer 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 rs to
make 1t impregnable and final. The chief
and confident hope Of the OppOScIs and
yiOatOrS of the Jaw has been that this
tribunal of final resort would set it aside, or
at least 50 impair its efficiency as to render
its fun ther continuance impossible. On the
contrary, this decision SuStanS the principle
CT the law so completely and sweepin"ly
as to become its strong bulwark of support
and defense. The Court says there Is no
Justification for the claim that such a law
aims to deprive the citiHrn of his COnstItu-
tlOnal rights; "fOr We cannot shut out Of
view the fact within knowledge of all, that
the public health. the public morals and the
public safety, may he endangered by the gen
eral use of Intoxicating 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, traCeable to this evil. II.
therefore. State deems the absolute prohi-
bitiOn 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 OF the people a thus eXdreSSed 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 inherr in citizenship,
and that no ones constitutional rights OF
liberty or property, are intcriered witt when
such manufacture and sale are forbidden by
the State. With this powerful support, it
only remains for the friends of good govern
ment and law and order. in Iowa, to press
patiently, yet reSOlutcly, 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 il thoroughly etfec-
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-. unmindful of the fact that great
care should he taken in the change and
amendment of our statutes. The whole body
Of our laws is growth Of many years. and
it should not be unnecessarily or lightly in
terfered 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 uprightneSs 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.