The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1889-10-17

a1d take the chances OF dominan. public sen
tmcnt that destroys IL without mercy or re
muneration whenever In the judgment OF the
majority the public good demands II: know
that most OF the men who clamored for this
legislation and who now clamor for its COM
plcts enforcement cia IN TO be honest men, VINO
love justice and abhor wrong. and when
tEfnk of III / am fiIicd with alnaZemcnt
that i Las not occurred TO them that II
the public good demanded the practical de-
struciion OF such large business interests and OF
the property employed therein. every dollar in
value Of which has been acqu red under tho
sanction OF Law, simple honesty required that
The rubiic should pay for that good with dol.
lars and cents instead Of stealing IL through
the sid OF the ballot. II has been well said
that there IS no Tyranny like that OF major.
tfies An angry mob IL stranyic . human
being without conjunction OF conscience in
any Of rs members, when not one OF all the
thrOng would meet his victim alone and with
his single hand send him into the presence OF
hts Maker. great party BY the deposit of Q
littl. ballot In the hands OF each OF its mcm.
bers " Ill destroy, without compensat on. mill.
ions uron m lions in value of property as
legally acIu red as any In the State, aud yet
not one OF these would amply the torch to the
very least OF all ths accumulated wealth.
There Is not living to-day u ruler Of any nat ON
OF tho earth who, II he had tho power. would
dare. sfns handed and aionc. 10 issne an cdict
contlscating tho property Of his subjects to the
extent thatis done BY the law in question. III
be did an army OF impuvar.shei men, crazed by
tho loss Cf fortunes ard smartn- under
what TO them would seem an incoIlpara.
BILE wrong. would seek and take his fe.
That the law was harsh and cruelty un-
just In some OF its features was known 10
the men who made IL. That its enforce
ment would meet with the most determine Of
opposition was equally apparent and SO the
Legislature undertook TO provide for what
every one knew must come. There is not in
all the penal code Of Iowa another statute
armed with such extraordinary means for its
enforcement. Judges are admon shed that
they must call the attention OF grand jurors tc
its provisions At every term Of court. All
peace 0fiicers arc strictly commanded to sec
that its proyis ons are faithfully executed and
any neglect in this respect 10 made penal
h.nse. Mags must issce warrants
for the arrest OF citizens on the mere belief
OF informers without the statement OF Il
single fact in support of that belief. Courts
and jurors are enjoined to construe the law SO
as 70 prevent evas ion and SO IS to cover the act
Of giving - well - selling. Any Tcrson upon
a mere affirmation OF his belief may procure o
search warrant and send the officers OF the law
into any OF our pl aces OF business and even into
the dwc!linR-hOuses Of citizens, which the laws
OF every civilized nation defend as the castles
OF Their :rowners. An army Of spies and inform
ers are turned loose upon society. and no place
is SO sacred that 1t can not be invaded in the
mad rush for the enforcement OF this law. The
whole rower OF the civil tr bunals OF the
| land Ii placed at the disposal OF those
! who feel il their duty or undertake rs a matter
Of personal gain to sec that the law IS ex-
ecuted. Cruel ind excessive punishment is in
| ficfed upon all who violate It's PROV ons.
Fines fhat impovcrish and dungeons that do
/ stroy are penalties for acts innocc nj IN the
| eyes Of nne-tenths OF the civilized world. 1t
| is with this fact, unpleasant us Il may be, tha;
| the people OF Iowa must ceai In the present
!. campaign. No onc will deny that olcn def.
ance OF estabi' shed law by IL majority OF the
people of amy section is public misfortune
| that calls loudly for . remedy Of some a,nd