The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-11-21
new LIQUOR LAW.
City Council at Last Enacts an
Ordinance.

In passing the new liquor law, the
council divided as follows: For-Miller,
Belts, Elliott. CLANCY, Warner. Round
tree, Swendson. Hughes Against
Morgan, Myers, snattineer, Weber.
Councilman Morgan said he was
afraid one or two sections would not
stick. IF the fine imposed was only
another name for a license, why not call
it a license openly2 If prohibition is a
failure let the legislature change it. The
city of Topeka has lost thousands OF
dollars in witness fees. When we go into
court we get turned down because we
go against the state law
Councilman Myers thought the meas
ure differed little from those that have
been annulled, and its passage meant
simply an increase in taxation. Elliott
thought the city attorney and police
committee had got the ordinance Just
right"
Mr.. Snattinger said: Hughes SAYS
we ought to have more laws, but great
men differ" He considered the new or
dinance meant doubling the city's ex-
against rs cents at present Taxes are
high now and debt will pile up more
His idea was to educate people not to
patronize Joints and they would quit
business themseIves-
Councilman Weber didn't believe the
new ordinance will hold before the
courts.
Councilman Hughes favored the or
dinance Yehemently. IF this council
had confirmed Frank Stah1 there would
not be a joint in the city in 4S hours
time When we are underneath the
thumb Of the jointiStS and laaWbreakeFs
it is time to call a halt. The last or
dinance went to that court that dies
January land it's well it does We
want this law to work with and a chief
of police to enforce it If you had en-
dorsed Chief Stahl, a man who can not
be controlled by lawbreakers, you would
have no joints, no houses Of Ill fame in
this town"
Imprisonment is left out Of the new
ordinance. and the title has been ex-
banded to read:
IAN ordinance to prohibit the sale Of
scientific and mechanical purposes; to
prohibit and suppress tipping shops
saloons, dram shops and club rooms
BY the ordinance it is unlawful to
sell or barter intoxicating liquors in this
city except by licensed druggists for
purposes named. Mixtures of whatever
named called that will produce intoxi-
cation are held within the meaning of
the ordinance Giving away is also I'M
lawful within the meaning. The city
marshal has power to shut up and abate
places where the illegal sale is carried
on, as common nuisancess by taking
possession of all liquors and fixtures
found and destroy them on order of the
police judge.
Club rooms where liquor is received
and kept for distribution are put under
the ban also When written complaint
is filed the police judge shall issue q
warrant, the city marshal search the
premises and arrest the keeper. When
arraigned such prisoner shall plead to
his or her real name.
Under this ordinance it shall not be
necessary to state the kind of liquor
sold nor describe the place state name
Of person to whom sold, nor for the city
to prove that the party did not have a
permit for the expected purposes Per-
sons who have bought the liquor are
competent witnesses No person shall
be excused from testffying touching any
offense committed by another against
any of the provisions of this ordinance
by reason of his testimony tending to
incrimfnate himself. but the testimony
shall not be used against him. The
possession of a United States internal
revenue or a United States license tax
receipt shall be priTna faeie evidence
that the holder is engaged in the sale of
intoxicating liquors.
No prosecutions now pending are
affected by this ordinance The pen
atty to be imposed by the police Judge
upon conviction is q fine of not less than
500 and not exceeding $500 for each
OffenSe.