The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1899-01-12
HIGH LICENSE ADOPTED.
The Policy is a Part of the New
Alaska Law.

washington, Jan. 1Z.-Ihe mouse yes
terday completed and passed the bill for
the cOdifcatiOn of the criminal laws of
Alaska, upon which it has been work
ing internationally for a week An
amendment was adopted approving
high license system in the territory with
a species of local option. Local liquor
dealers by its provisions are to pay a
license of 200 year, and the consent
of a majority of the white citizens re-
siding within two miles of liquor deal
er'S eSta adjustment must be obtained be-
fore a license can be secured. An at
tempt to recommit the bill for the pur-
pose of securing the adoption of a pro-
vision excluding convicts from service on
jurieS was defeated,
At the conclusion of the reading of
the Alaska bill the subject of licensing
offered by Mr.. Warner Qll) and Mr..
Tongue (Ore.) but both were ruled out
on point of order.
Mr.. Moody Rep., Mass) offered an
amendment substituting the present
law, which prohibits importation of Ii
quor into Alaska. On a yea and nay
vote the amendment was defeated, nays
"a; yeas "A.
The committee amendment was again
offered and Mr.. Knox and Mr. Moody
stated that they made no point of order
because, since the defeat of the Moody
amendment unless the committee
amendment was adopted there will be
practically no liquor law in Alaska. Mr.
McEwan (Rep., N. j. thought the pres
ent lay should be given another trial.
Mr.. Todd Dem., Mich.) believed it a
shame to have to admit that the gov
eminent could not enforce the present
laws in Alaska. The amendment was
adopted. 1t provides that a yearly III
cense may be issued for the manufac-
ture or sale of liquor in quantities of
not less than five gallons, not to be
drunk upon the premises, upon the pay
ment of a fee of $1,000 No license how
ever, can be issued unless evidence is
before oh inc hot
a majority of the white citizens within
two miles of place for which a IL
cense is asked shall consent. The
amendment prohibits the sale of LIQUOR
to minors and gives every husband, wife
or child, parent, guardian, employer or
other person injured in person and pro-
perty in consequence of intOxication the
right to exemplary damages from the
person who by the sale may have
caused such intoxication. The sale of
liquor by drug stores is permitted upon
the prescription of physician. The
sale of liquor to Indians or half breeds
is prohibited.
Mr.. Tongue Rep., Ore.) said the bill
was deficient because it permitted GRIM
inals to sit upon juries. AS a represent
tative of the west he protested vigor-
ously against such legislation by the
east The west, he said, had already
suffered enough from the criminals
from the east. He did not want muir
derers, robbers and forgers to sit upon
juries to try honest men.
The jury system had received many
severe blows, but this bill was the worst,
making as it did the jury box in Alaska
Ravens of rest for eastern criminals.
Mr.. Dayton (Rep., w. Va.) and Mr..
Payne Rep., N. W thought such crit
icism OF the east unjust and it was
suggested that all the states are east OF
Alaska
Mr. Underwood Oem., Ala) moved to
recommit the bill to the committee on
revision of laws with instructions to in
corporate a section barring convicted
felons from sitting on juries.
Mr.. Underwood's motion was lost, 81
to 55. and the bill was passed without
division.