St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-10-05
WHAT THEY WILL DEMAND.

No doubt many of those who gave
their votes to the apparently successful
attempt to make prohibition a feature
of the constitutions of both the Dakotas
were influenced by the knowledge OF
the fact that the supreme court had de-
cided that states could not interfere
with the shipment of liquors into their
limits, so that there would be no obsta-
Gle in the way of obtaining ample sup
plies, even if the drinking shops were
closed. Many of the politicians who
find it profitable to advocate prohibit
ton keep WeIl-stocked cellars, and i'm
bibe much OF their inspiration from the
bottle. 1t is remembered that Iowa
passed law prohibiting railroads or
transportation companies from recelv-
ing liquors as freight for any points in
that state. In consequence of this law
the roads rejected freight of this char
acter. In 1856 the Northwestern
road refused to accept at Chicago 5000
kegs of beer consigned to parties in
Iowa. suit for $4,000 damages was
brought against the road, and the case
was taken to the United States supreme
court, which held that the state law was
10 defense for the railroad. The statute
was not an inspection law, nor quar-
antine or sanitary law, and was not a
legitimate exercise of police power by
the state, in the view of the court. 1t
is held in Iowa and the other prohibition
states, that there can be no effective
barrier to the use of intOXicants unless
they can be kept out. If they are
brought into the states, their Use is un-
avoidable. Congressman KERR. of
iowa, in letter written the past month,
says that this denial of the state control
of the railroads lis great hindrance 10
the effective execution of the states
policy" Other friends of the policy
still more plainly assert that ''prohibi-
ton in Iowa is a farce" as long
as the shipments from abroad are
allowed. The relief sought for
this difficulty is through congress.
1t is insisted that congressional action
shall be had eOnceding to states the
right to exclude whatever they regard
as detrimental to public health and pub
lie morals. Mr.. KERR says the senate
recognized this principle IN reference
to the transportation of diseased cattle
at the last session, and insists upon its
application to liquors. In the last con-
greSS bills covering this ground were
introduced in both houses. In the SEN
ate it was presented by Senator IN
CALLS, of Kansas. and referred to the
interstate commerce committee, which
failed to take final action on it. Senator
WILSON, of Iowa, says that, if the Kan
sas senator does not present the meas
ure again the coming session, he will.
Mr.. KERR pledges himself to see that
the bill is introduced in the house.
The temperance clause in the Repub-
lican national platform is quot
ed by the senator as evidence
that the party will come up to the line
in congress. This is, of course, fanci-
full as related to actualities, but the hon
est prohibition element of the party will
work for it i'm good faith. This may be
regarded as the immediate object of the
prohibition supporters. Since the pro-
hibition states have been Swelled by the
addition of the Dakotas, the matter
takes on much larger proportions, and
will no doubt be pressed with far
greater vlgOr than before. If congress
ca n and does grant permission. all the
prohibition states will enforce eXclu-
sive measures, and destroy vast traf-
fc. There would be smuggling, but it
would not take Oh anything like pres
ent proportions. There is disposition
among the Iowa Republicans to force
Senator ALLISON to take explicit
ground on this question. He is under
stood to belong to the class of pOliti-
clans who are fond of their toddy,
and want prohibition i'll theory
only. 1t is claimed that his earnest
support would secure the passage of the
proposed measure in the senate. He
belongs to the oleaginous class of pol
iticians, who slip around and are not
often put on the recordon dubious ques
| tons. He is to be reelected by the next
legislature, and if the prohibition men
we're very much in earnest, or there
! were enough of that sort controlling
legislative votes, they might make it
very uncomfortable for the aspiring and
variable statesman. There are others
besides Senator ALLISON who would
! not like to make a clear record Oh this
question. The fact that so many of the
states have refused to accept prohibition
as local policy will tend to concentrate
| effort unOn cOnUrpSS