Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1889-07-06
A FLAT FAILURE.
IOwa's BurdensOme PrOhibitOry
Law.
How the Obnoxious Measure Operates
and What is Thought OF 1t Now---A
Change Not Unlikely

| While on trip through the interior OF
Iowa last week, an ARGUS representa-
tive was enabled casually to observe and
learn of the working of Iowa's famous
prohibitory law. 1t was in those por-
tions of the Hawkeye state where the law
originally had its most devoted friends
and staunchest, unceasing advocates tina,
the writer had an opportunity to learn OF
its present status. That the measure is
weak in minds where it was once re-
ceived with enthusiasm, it does not take
but a short while to discern. Yet it is a
fact equally true that those whose
confidence in prohibition is waning,
are no less heartily in sympa,
thy with the suppression of the
liquor traffic, but they question now the
means of ACCOMPLISHING the end sought,
and not the end itself. Experience has
plainly taught them that prohibition is
not the way, and while some who once re-
| posed their faith in the doctrines of
| prohibitory enactment, shake their heads
when questioned as to what they think of
their pet scheme, do not hail with delight
the idea of high license simply because
they believe liquor an evil and cannot
consistently favor licensing an evil, are
frank to acknowledge that for practical
results it would accomplish vastly more
than absolute prohibition.
Said one gentleman who two years ago
was one of the most earnest and immov-
able believers In the idea of entire for
biddsnce, II believe the plan of prohlbi-
ton is right. but am beginning 10 doubt
its policy. Iwould like to see it enforced,
but don't believe it can be now. | have
arrived at this conviction not only
tigation of the operation of the measure
in our own state, but have been prompted
in it in no small degree by the recent
overwhelming backsets similar measures
have received in the east don't believe
any law of such nature can be framed
| that cannot be eluded or violated.
have heard the argument raised, to be
sure. that prohibition can be enforced the
same as any other law, but l hesitate to
sustain such an opinion. The liquor
question is one of those things you can
not meet as s9usrely as other issues
treated in the law in the light of crime.
You cannot enforce prohibition Of the
liquor traffic; it cannot be done, and all
| attempts in that direction lead to deceit
and hypocrisy in manners not otherwise
conceived and therefore provoke an evil
that is more to be deplored tnsn the law
full sale of intoxicating beverages.
Another representative Iowan re-
marked; when a man attempts to tell
you that while prohibition is fiat
failure in the frontier cities such
as Davenport, Dubuque, Sioux City
and Council Bluffs, etc, it is a
success in the interior, politely inform
him that he does not know what he is
| talking about, Here is town where the
ordinary observer would think the law
was respected to the letter, and if you
were IN such condition that a drop OF
LIQUOR would save your life, you could
not go to drug store and get it, yet
can take you to a place where you can
get all you want if you want drink.
can show you man who stands in and
that is all that is necessary In any Iowa
| town, care not where it is. So it is, 6
man may need brandy or whisky or beer
for medicinal purposes and he may die
for the want of it in the sight of the law
yet by standing in ay With ibs verv nurnose the
law contemplates denying him of. We
don't have the great amount of drug
store dram shops in Iowa as they do in
Kansas; thes don't dodge the law here in
that way as rule, though there are some
pharmacists who are getting good
livelihood out of their little side
issues But there are plenty of
places in every town of any size and i'm
wants his drink can get it. and he does
get it, too. You might ask how this
liquor gets into Iowa. would answer
Easily enough 1t comes in from such
cities as you hail from-Rock Island
Peoria, Quincy, and even from Chicago
in the shape of packages labelled salt
sugar nails and all such things"
Yes" put in another citizen, land tn,
most obnoxious feature is that in locali-
ties where liquor creates the most crime
the largest cities / mean-the law l:
most openly violated, and it fails wher,
1t is my opinion that the only way yol
can meet t his liquor question fairly-anC
I want to see it downed-is to educat,
the people as to its evils, not attempt tt
drive them"
These are only few of the expires
sions heard on the subject. and all o
which contributed to the formation o
the opinion that within two years a
least, the law which is now disgrace
pealed, and high license substituted
People who were once most conspicuou:
in their advocacy of prohibition, are nov
either quiet or open in svowing thei
disapproval of it, as a result of exper
fence.
The New Building.
The board of education yesterds,
.;..ad tho nnnfranf NTH Ritchau 4 RanI