Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1897-10-16
SATURDAY, OCTOBER io.
MORE LAW AND ORDER.

]. II. Morgan, representing the
Law and Order League, called on
us few days ago to inform us that
we were mistaken in our judgment
as to the objects of the League and
endeavored to impress upon our
mind that they had no desire TO
prosecute or even prosecute or pun
ish anyone; that the sole object
was to stop the unlawful sale of in
toxicants. Now we know that Mr..
Morgan and Mr.. Nugent, who seem
to constitute the major portion OF
the League, are reputable men, and
believe they are honest, earnest and
sincere in their efforts, but think
they are mistaken as TO their duty
as citizens. We believe they are
making themselves, innocently no
doubt, the catpaws of men who are
not honest in this matter. I'VE do
not wait TO prosecute anyone. We
simply want them to quit violating
the law" That is their oft repeated
assertion. Now let us see IL there
is anything in il. ]. NJ. Cooper,
Price d Co. were arrested by the
local authorities for violating the
prohibitory law. While the case
was pending information was filed
on quite a number of counts by
men who don't care a continental
about the enforcement of the pro
hibiiory law. but are the pei sonal
enemies of Cooper X CO., and sent
to the attorney of the League for
him TO commence prosecution on
the part of the state. He was in
doubt as To whether the League
ought 10 prosecute.
I'VE do not want to punish any.
one: we simply want them to quit
selling" This information was
conveyed to Mr.. Cooper and he
went to the probate judge and sur.
rendered his permit. thus quitting
business. When Mr.. Wiswell was
appraised of this fact he said: well,
Mr.. Cooper must be prosecuted. He
is bad man aud must be pun.
ished;" thus showing the insincer.
ity of the oft repeated cry, We
don't want to prosecute; we want
them to quit the business" Mr..
Cooper did vuii the business. The
League had accomplished it's I mr..
pose, but Mr.. Wiswell was not salts
fed. He must sit in judgment up.
on Mr.. Cooper's character. not in
connection with the liquor ques-
ton, but other affairs in no sense
connected with il. In his opinion
Mr.. Cooper is a bad man" and Il
must punish him"
Does Mr.. Morgan sanction such
things: Does he term this an hon
est desire TO see the law obeyed "r
does he think il a deliberate effort
to crafty personal malice or re-
venge for some wrong, real or inn
aginary, that Mr.. Cooper has COM
United, according TO Mr.. Wiswell's
idea of right aud wrong:
Again: The Law and Order
League went before the commits
sioners with II proposition in sub
stance as follows: The. commits
sioneIs were to turn over all the
prisoners incarceIated for violating
the prohibitory law, now and in flu
ture, TO the League, who would
board them at an expense 10 the
county of ten cents day. They
would put them to work breaking
rock for the benefit of the city of
Columbus. So sure were they that
the commissioners would accept
their proposition that they had par
TALLY arranged with quarry man
for the stone and Mayor Wiswell
had called a meeting of the coun-
Gil to consider the question of
building Jail TO keep these stone
breakers in. OF course the com.
missioners would not even con-
slider such an absurd proposition.
But in the face of the League max
ing il, what becomes of that alb
surd cry, I'VE don't want to pun
ish." What in the name of CON-
mon sense do they want: When a
man is in prison certainly he is not
selling liquor contrary to law. Why
do they want 10 continue to punish
him by making him break rock, If
their only object is to stop his sell
ing liquor:
We believe the Law and Order
League would do well TO purify
themselves while purifying the
community.-Galena Republican.
IT, nn~,.AA.,