Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1888-04-26
STRANGE But TRUE.


Gently interviewed the Internal Reven-
ue collector appointed by the Govern
ment for the state of Kansas. The
object of the interview was to learn
who in this city pays a tax to the Gov
eminent on the business Of selling in
toxicating liquors.
The druggists of this city who have
permits issued by the Pro bate
Judge may sell without violating any
law. Any others may pay tax to the
General Government and engage
in the business SO far as the General
Government is concerned, but this
furnishes no protection in the VIOLA
ton of state laws Anyone who sells
without having paid the tax to the
General Government subjects himself
to heavy penalty from the Z. S. courts
Anyone who having paid such tax to
the Government yet who violates the
State Prohibitory law is subject to
heavy penalty under the laws by the
state of Kansas.
1t was supposed therefore that any
one in this city who had not drug
e;sts permit, but whose name should
| be found on the Collectors books at
Leavenworth might be reasonably sus-
pected of being engaged in the business
unlawfulIy. Also that persons who
violated the state law, and had not
paid the Government tax might be
prosecuted under both laws. Hence
the object iii obtaining the names.
But tbs Collector in answer to the re-
quest replied in substance as follows.
There is no way you can get the nam
es. The department has ordered that
they should not be given. If we gave
them, these parties engaging in the
business would not pay the tax as it
would be evidence that they were vio-
lating state law; and that would make
the Interal Revenue Office kind of de-
tective agency for the enforcement Of
state law. Then if we accept their
money for the business we are under
reasonable obligation to not expose
them in the business. They pay their
tax and register their names, and the
registration books are open for public
inspection, but the books are kept in
such a manner that the public cannot
tell much about them. We have
means Of knowing who they are with
out placing their names on the books
III such way as to be recognizable by
the general public. Yon may send us
a list of the names of persons suspected
of selling, and if any have not paid the
tax we will prosecute. If they have
you will not hear from US.
A few observations are reasonable.
l The Prohlbitory laws of the state
of Kansas have been by the U. S.
courts decided constitutional; and
therefore not in conflict with the laws
Of the General Government.
2 Violations of this law are accord
ing to our statutes criminal offences.
) The Government receives money
for business il state that has decid-
edthat business criminal. and that decis-
ION has been sustained in its own courts.
4 1t permits persons to register
names that are not their own with the
end in view that criminals may not be
punished.
D The Government and the parties
SO registering are co-partners in the
crimes Of false registration, and the
sale Of Intoxicating liquors, contrary
to law
6 Strange that great Government
like ours should form such an alliance
with the criminal classes; but stranger
still that it should resort to the methods
1t does to protect them from just pro-
secuton. L.