The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1895-02-09
WHISKY FIGHTS HARD.
It Shows It's Strength in the
House
IN 4 VOTE ON A BILL

ITO CnuueI Convicted y01nG1stS ~
Work Out Their Fines on the ROCK
nfge-The whisky Crowd strong, but
Af~afd to show Their Hands Com
pIeteIy.
The prohibition question was before
thu whole house for the first time IN Oh
rect form, yesterday. Mr.. Knipe's Dill
which directs that any person imprisoned
for violating the prohibitory law, VINO
does not pay his fine within thirty days
after being imprisoned, shall work 1t our
on the rockpile or on the roads or IN
some way. which may be provided, was
bsfore the committee of the whole. Inc
first part of the bill reduces the present
fine of 800 to $50, and the rockplle Is
not an additional penalty but means OF
collecting the fine if not PAID.
There was swift and violent opposition
to the bill as soon as the committee OF
the whole reached it. The bill was
finally disposed of by being indefinitely
postponed.
Representative Knipe of Riley county,
the author of the bill, opened the debate
with d few words of explanation Mr.
Cole of Barton spoke in opposition. 81
am not in favor" said he, ''Of enactlng
into law the punlshments of the lnquisi-
ton. If you make the punishment too
severe. you will not be able to secure
conviction at all. Good citizens are
sometimes on trial for violating the pro-
hibitory law, and the rockpile is dis
graceful punishment"
MIR. Cubbison came to the support of
the bill. He said: "This house by
resolution the other day de-
clared to the world that Kansas
was unable to enforce the prohibitory
law and appe aled to the national gov
eminent to come to the rescue. He re-
ferred to the resolution regarding gov
eminent licenses II we want this law
to stand, let US provide the means for
enforcing il. Most of the counties en-
force it, but some cities publish it to the
country that it is a farce"
''Do you think this bill will help to en-
force it?" asked Mr.. Cole.
''In my judgment it will" said Mr..
Cubbison-
"MAy 1 ask what bill the gentleman
has in his hand?" queried Mr.. Eckstein
thinking the gentleman from Wyandotte
was talking to another question.
sit makes no difference what bill
have in my hand" answered Mr.. Cubbi-
son spiritedly.
Every one knows what I am talking
about, and if the gent. eman from Sedg-
wick had been paying the attention he
ought to have done, he wouldn't need to
ask the question.
"M g must either enforce this law and
back it up with statutes which will dc
it," continued Mr.. Cubbison, 'or go back
to license. And every one knows that a
punishment of fines means that"
Mr.. Beekman of Cowley opposed the
bill in glowing speech. Il am a FRIEND
of prohibition" he said, "but am afraid
that some Of the gentlemen who have &c
eloquently championed this bill are no
sincere in their support, but rather wish
to destroy prohibition. If severity O
punishment insures enforcement why
not pour hot lead down the throat anC
boiling oil in the ears? It is not severit7
but the sentiment of the people which
makes enforcement of the law sure. A
one who knows something of the evi
effects of liquor I hope the motion It
strike out the enacting clausel will pre-
vail"
Mr.. Glenn said if man didn't pay hi
fine he was in favor of having him worl
1t out
Mr.. Veale presented new theory. 81
is hell in the soul of a man which make
him sell liquor and if you take that GU
the law won't be violated" said he.
"May l ask the gentleman a question
said Campbell (Pop) "How will you &c
that hell QUIT"
Mr.. Veale said there was a power higl
enough and great enough to take it GU
of any man.
Mr.. Knipe said: 81 don't know as nue.
about technical law points here as m
legal brethren. but if it came to infan
baptism, l could perhaps hold my owr
l want to say however, that this bill
makes the fine lighter instead of increas
ing it and then provides for working
out if not paid"
The motion to strike out the enactin
clause made by Mr. Moore of Saline, wa
lost
Mr.. Glenn then moved to strike on
SAND" and insert "or" between the word
fine and Imprisonment
Trueblood, (Pop.) said: ."To do thi
nulIlfies the whole law. It simply put
low license on the joints and lets Their
run"
vote was taken and the motion clear
Iy carried, but a division was called fc
and when it came to standing up and be
Ing counted, it was a different thins
The count showed 40 for, 4S against,
MT. zimmerman didn't see why tn
working part should be objected t.
these are times" said he wit smiI
when lots of people are out of employ
ment and when they would like to q.
work.
"But this BILL" he continued. adoesu
increase the penalty, it simply provide
tor Its collection. I agree with Mr.. Veal
and cannot help but think if the Ell
quence which has been directed again
thIs Dill had been expended in missio