The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-12-12


about the liquor traffic In Alaska is based
upon Misrepresentation Of the peculiar con-
ditions In that territory. and some of the
allegations designed to bring the admins
tration of the laws in that territory into
ly commendab BILE.
The regulation of the sale Of intoxicat-
ing liquors is always and everywhere a
serious problem and difficult of solution,
and perhaps more difficult in Alaska than
elsewhere. And when a proposition Is
made to change existing laws and adopt
a method SO radically different as the sub
stitution Of license law for prohibition.
there ought 10 be at least very careful con-
sideration of the probable effect Of such
a change.
According TO. newspaper reports, Gov.
Brady OF Alaska has made recommended
ton that high license be substituted for
prohibition throughout the whole territory
OF Alaska, in the laws to be- passed by the
next session of congress. 1t is also al
legged that Secretary Bliss approves Of the
recommendation and that Secretary Gage
Is also in favor OF the change. All the
statements upon which they are said to
base their recommendation indicate a be-
lief that the officers upon whom devolves
the duty OF enforcing the laws have used
and are using their utmost endeavors to
prevent the smuggling of liquor into the
territory and TO prevent the illegal sale OF
1t. as they are in duty bound to do. and
that the present Law y pfcnana6ns faii-
ure That premise must be most en-
phatically denied. Anyone who has been
at all conversant with the history of Of
fetal life in Alaska since the Inauguration
Of the civil government In 1884. must know
that there has been no uniform, persistent
and unfiinching effort to enforce the law
according to its true spirit and purpose, In
which all the officers were working to-
gether and harmoniously during any con-
siderable portion of the time, so as to
make a fair test Of the law under favor
abba circumstances. 1t is true there have
been conscientious officers who had the
courage of their convictions, but they were
handicapped by associates who were in
different or worse. and who often nuli-
fed their best efforts or greatly hindered
their success. These facts are too gener-
ally known to need demonstration.
If. then. the experiment OF prohibition
has not been fairly tried. We cannot prove
it's failure to answer the requirements Of
It's enactment TO be an inherent weakness
by the experiences of the past. No law
viii enforce itself There must be a
sentient agency behind 1t. We are. there
fore, still IN the field of theory and moth
ing short OF absolute demonstration should
Induce the consideration Of proposition
10 substitute a system of license for the
system OF limitation by prohibition. Why
not first demand a fair trial OF the pro-
hlbitory restraints already upon the stat
ute books. reinforcing them If necessary :?
The machinery * In order and only COM
pe,ent operators are necessary to test the
matter 10 the satisfaction OF all
But II is objected that ''the officers are
powerless by reason of the cooperation
and sympathy of almost the entire ropti-
latioa OK Alaska with those who violate
the law and OF the failures Of iuries in
Alaska TO indict and convict after dscov-
cry and arrests have been made"
How do these official wiseacres know that
the offi~trs are poweriess. when no proper
effort has been made? Is II true that pub
lie sentiment is opposed To the enforcement
of the liquor law IN Alaska? And IL IL b.
true. have officers no power 10 enforce the
law without the ald OF public sentiment .
What is meant by the Enforcement OF laws >
Do we moan the punishment OF every Of
fenderr
We have laws prohibiting the commission
of murder, theft and adultery; hut there is
no country on the face OF the earth where
there are no muNierers, TO iarceaists no
false swearing and no violations Of the sew
enth commandment. and no one viii con-
tend that the ysolators OF these statutes
are In all cases punished 10 the full extent
OF the law. Even Eurderers have been
known TO escape Justice. while il is q res,
ognlzed fact that The sanctity - the Judi
cjal and official oath Is 6isregarsle4i 10 an
alarming extent. ard we hang our heads in
shame for the widespread horrors OF ,h.,
social evil Because these evils ara na.
wholly erad!catsa ~ the presence OF laws
against them uIVu cur statutes. shall .Fa
therefore remove all restraints O. pr,h5a,,
tion against them or give free reir under
the name OF high hcease@'' Why m. ay-
eFcise common sense in dealing with ,ha
evils Of The liquor irar.c as vel a. tha
evils of false swearing SAan ne lis
noaace the laws against larceny ana de-
naand the substitution OF license. high Ii
ce5se.' x yca please, hecauss AL Thieves
are not punished - The full extent % tss
Law
In Alaska sales - intoxicating asa;,arS =,
Indians are punished when proofs ara can