Omaha daily bee., 1890-06-02
LIQUOR HAS THE WHIP HAND.
The Whisky Element of Iowa Laughing In
It's Sleeve.
DEALERS REAPING THEIR HARVEST
Lively Contest Imminent Between the
Prohibition and License Crowd
The Anti Saloon Idea
Knocked Over
the Ropes.

DEs MONIES Ia, June 1.-fSpecial to
The BEE. The enforcement Of the
Iowa liquor law is just now in allegiance.
Before the recent decision of the United
States supreme court there was some at
tempt at the enforcement by ambitious con-
stables who were after fat fees. If they
could get their fees without enforcing the
laws, the laws were not enforced. But what
liquors was sold was with some show of sec
recy Now matters are somewhat different
The obnoxious "searchcr' has disappeared,
in great degree, though in this city the
bootleggers' and illegal "joints" are under
the strict surveillance of the police But
under the new order of things the sale of
liquor is almost absolutely free. A number
of original package houses have been estab-
lished in the vacant rooms about town, estl-
mated all the way from FIVE to twenty-five.
The latter is Colonel Eiboecl1's estimate, and
there is probably no one in the city in a bet
ter position to know. Everything is open
and above board There are no bars in
these houses, but the original packages are
placed around the room in an attractive
style, the beer kegs being utilized as seats
for customers and gentlemen of leisure"
WIN tlOp liz uNS dli an detllIlGS luI SbUC
eastern firm, designated by glaring signs,
and wagons are freely run about the city dis
tributng the goods. Just now the liquor
dealers are rcaping harvest, the cities and
towns are getting little or no benefit and
most of the money, a large sum in the ag
gregate, is going to enrich manufacturers in
other states. Just how long this will con-
tinue is not known. The prohibitionists are
praying for relief from congress IN the pas
sage of the Wilson or a like bill, and are re-
ceiving assurances from Washington that
Iowa will soon be permitted to control the
traffic within its own borders, whether in
original or other packages.
Meanwhile in many of the cities, ordinances
have been passed for the collection of licenses
from the package houses and saloons, and in
all cases so far as heard from the fee is
being paid. In many of the smaller
towns the attempts to establish package
houses have been met by violent public oppo-
sition and indignation meetings have been
held, so that prudence has kept the liquor
sellers away.
Should no relief be afforded by congress
the question of an extra session of the legiS-
lature is being agitatcd. This comes not
from the prohibitionists, as might be imag-
ined, but from those who have heretofore ad-
vOcated high license and are honestly in
favor of the control of the traffic by means
which, while controlling, will give revenue
to the treasures and ease the burdens of tax
alton There is also a disposition among all
shades of opinion toward having the money
spent lOr liquor KepJ Wltnln Jne SJaJeuS lnuCn
as possible by permitting the manufacture of
liquor within its borders. 1t is said Governor
Boies would not hesitate to call an extra ses-
sion of the legislature could he be assured
that any relief would be afforded by that
body. On the other hand it is claimed that
under the present circumstances enough re-
publcans could be induced to join with the
democrats to modify the present law in the
direction indicated. 1t is also pretty gener-
ally conceded that had the decision of the su-
preme court been made before the legislature
adjourned it would have made a material diff
ference in the action of that body on the
liquor question.
The fall campaign will depend largely
upon the action of congress in the matter
Should the Wilson or a similar bill become
II law, that will likely end the contest so far
as this state is concerned. Should it not, it
is morally certain that the liquor question
will become an issue in the congressional
elections Should no relief law be passed,
the republican state convention will be asked
to restate its position on the question, and
there will be n lively contest between the
prohibition and license elements of the party
as to what that statement shall be. 1t is
conceded that the original package decision
knocks the anti-SaloOn idea clear out, and
that the issue must be clearly drawn between
utter prohibition and license, and the license
people will have the best of the argument.
If relief law is passed by congress, the pro-
hibitionists will be on tap, and in that event
the further supremacy of the republican
pttlly III tllio oIulS VII NC III uOupG'
THE RAILWAY COMMISSION.
History is repeating itself concerning the
railway laws Of this state Two years ago,
after the passage of the maximum rate law
by the twenty-second general assembly, the
commissioners were enjoined by Judge
Fairrell's court at Iowa City from putting in
force maximum rates. The history of that
contest is familiar to all, and it finally ended
in victory for the law and
the commission. The TWenty-third
Il
passed law empowering the commission to
establish joint rates over separate lines of
road which should not exceed the rate for the
same distance over single line of road. This,
in most cases, would be less than the sum of
the local rates over the lines affected by the
joint rates, and on this ground the railways
protest. Therefore the commission has again
been enjoined before the same court by the
Burlington, Cedar Rapids Northern road
from establishing and prOmulgating joint
rates of tariff between SAID Burlington, Cedar
Rapids q Northern and other roads,
The case will come up for hearing on June
10 next, and in the meantime no Joint rates
can be established in connection with that
road. The commission Immediately instructed
Attorney General Stone to file a motion for a
dissolution of the injunction, and if this is
denied the matter will be taken at once to the
supreme court and pushed TO a conclusion as
soon rs possible.
Numerous complaints continue TO come be-
fore the commission. Among those the past
week was one from citizens of
Kcosauqua against the Chicago, Rock Island
& Pacific, alleging that said road is violating
its agreement in not furnishing requisite
train service on the plug which connects
Keosauqua with the Keokuk branch of the
Rock Island at Mount Zion.
Chittenden x Eastman of Burlington COM
plain that the Chicago, Burlington Il Quincy
is receiving and transporting freight from st.
Louis To points ON the Chicago, Rock Island
& Pacific in Iowa via, Burlington at less
rates than from Burlington to the same points
and the board is asked to establish maximum
rates which these roads may charge to these
Rock Island points in order that no discrim-
nation may arise
d. IL. Talbot of Sioux City complains of
unjust charges for switching cars by the
Sioux City & Northern company.
John Potter of Lynville complains that he
was elected from freight caboose which he
boarded upon Information that it carried pas
sengers. The conductor refused to carry
him, although he had purchased ticket.
Killed by Fist Blow.
LNPoRTE, Ind, June l,-Yesterday after