The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-07-16
But the Observance Of it is a
Thing Not Thought
Of
The Utter Failure Of the Prohibi-
ton Statute Of North
Dakota.
Original Packages Plentiful and No State
Revenue DerIved-No Prosecutions
Until After Election.

BISMARCK, N. D., July 15.-The prohibi-
ton law went into effect at exactly mid
night Monday night, June 30, 1890, and SO
far as known has been in effect ever since;
that is, the law is still in existence; it has
not been obliterated from the statutes, but
sad for the active prohibs to contemplate,
the ssoriginal PACKAGE has undoubtedly
come to stay awhile. The prohibition lead
ers are apparently at sea. They have hero
ically cudgelled their brains but cannot see
any possible means of getting around the
artful, redoubtable original package. To
say they are chagrined would be putting it
mildly. They engineered most noble
now, when elaborate preparations
had been made for n grand exulta-
ton over their splendid conquest. little
demon in the form of the conventional bot
tie of beer or liquor, yclept the original
package, SO sayeth the supreme court of the
United States, has suddenly. without mo-
ment's warning, appeared IN the stronRnoid
of the snoring prohibs, and CONSERVATION
reigns supreme. There is some consolation
for them in that should any liquors be dis
pensed, as customary over the bar IN
glasses, they can put the unwary saloon.
keeper through very severe course OF
sprouts. In view OF this they have sent out
down-trodden saloon man If he Is caught
mapping.
it is probable the original package de
cision will be tested in several North Dako-
ia cities, the same as it has been tested IN
the towns of numerous other prohibition
states. The same result is looked for
much ado about nothing. Prohibition does
not prohibit worth a cent in North Dako-
ia. Nor will the cities be deprived of their
regular annual income from the licensing
of the sale of intoxicatinn beverages. The
various municipal governments are deter
mined that if liquor is sold in any shape
whatsoever the saloon men must pay yearly
tribute to the income of the city. How
ever licenses are not issued as in the days
of yore, when a dry regime was never
mits to sell original packages, the city au-
thorities, of course. surprising to know
what packages contain. Twenty-Five dol
lars per month is the average tax for per
mits, and it is comparatively cheap whel
it is considered that in some parts of tn
i state exorbitant license fees were fOrmerl,
collected.
Beer does not go through any specia
process of shipment from the brewery t.
consumers in North Dakota, but liquor i
put up in several convenient sized seale'
bottles or parcels. containing from on
nicely mixed cocktail to dozen. Beer
yet sold by the key, bottle and case of bot
Ties anywhere and everywhere. There
not the least bit of trouble in gettin
liquor; no sign, wink, password or grip
The saloons of Bismarck are all running
just the same as previous to prohibition
None have closed up business. Front door
wide open. Some Of the barkeepers are g
accommodating that the cork is withdraw
for the convenience of the purchaser,
glass furnished and the customer is politel
invited to step behind the bar and drin
lager beer to his hearts content. Indeed
it is predicted by knowing ones tn;
before many more moons shall have gor
hence lager beer will again be drawn fro
the key BY the faucet, which useful artic
has for the time being been laid away c
the shelf. As the matter now stands saloc
men have not dared to risk consequence
by tapping the key. There is said to be
certain saloon in Bismarck that dispens
liquor over the bar in glasses as customar
but this is only rumor. Such is prohib
ton az we have it in the brand new state
North Dakota.
There will be no prosecutions until aft
the state election this fall-that is give
out cold-as both political parties cater
the saloon vote, and warm times are antit
pated.