Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-05-26
JUSTICE MILLER.
He Replies to Criticisms Of the
Prohibiticnists.
THE ORIGINAL PACKAGE OPINION

Defended by Member of the Supreme
Court-A Current Mistake Corrected
The Decision Fortified by the COnsti-
tuition and Precedent-IndiyiduaI Views
of Moral Right Not Invoived-Liquor
Selling in Des Moines.
DEs MoINEs Ia, May 24.-Justice Mil
Ter has been severely criticised for Joining
the majority of the supreme court in the
Iowa original package case. Among his
critics is Rev J. p Teter, leading Meth
odist clergyman now located at Oskaloosa,
personal friend o; Justice Miller. Rev.
Mr.. Teter has just received a reply from
Justice Miller, which makes interesting
reading. The letter says: II regret to
find that you are in trouble about my con
currence in the recent decision of the su-
preme court in regard to the sale of goods
imported from abroad or from another
state in the original packages.
The Constitution RuIcs.
81 venture to hope that shall not wholly
forfeit your esteem, because, in obedience
to that sense of conscientious duty which
have no doubt prompts you in this mat
ter, | have felt bound To follow the de
cision made by this court more than sixty
years ago, which has never been doubted
or disputed from that day to this. Indeed
that decision, in addition to being de
clsion of this court, was one which fell
from the lips of the greatest constitutional
lawyer that this government ever had. 1t
was based upon Il construction of the con
stitution of the United States. This con
stitution has not been altered since, and
the Judgment of the court has remained
without question from that day TO this
now siNty-three years ago.
Matter of Conscience.
"Many people like you, think, have the
idea that the supreme court is only bound
In its decisions by the views which they
may have of abstract moral right But
we are as much sworn to decide according
to the constitution OF the United States as
you are bound by your conscience to a
faith in the Bible which You profess to
follow. If my views on the true meaning of
the constitution of the United States in
question before me as judge of one of the
courts of the country should compel me
to differ from the whole world, | should do
1t as courageously as, l have no doubt Won
would stand by any doctrine which YOU
believe 10 I've taught in the holy Bible If
should believe everything you believe on
the subject of Prohibition | must still fol
low the constitution of the United States
until it is changed by those who have the
authority to do son
Meanwhile De> Noines Is Wet"
The original package business in Des
Moines is booming. Twelve places are
open with stocks on hand. although they
seem to need frequent replenishing. The
sales of one house are said to have been
$50 the first day. No attempt has been
made 20 interfere with these places of
business, and none is expected to he made.
Mayor Campbell says be intends 10 stop
the sale of liquor in Des Moines, meaning
the retail traffic h. the drink. but his eff
fort so far has been futile Most of the
towns OF the state are yielding their oppo-
sition to original package sales, and in six
months, it is predicted. nearly all the
cities of Iowa Will have licensed them. and
will thus make the best of the situation.