The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-04-20
VAR IS THREATENED
On the BootIeggers of Arkan-
SaS City.
T0RRENCE CUTS The LAW
He VIII Send Perjurers 10 the
Penitentiary
TORRENCE CUTS The LAW

Arkansas City, Kan, April 19.-County
Attorney Torrance yesterday isued the
statement printed below. which will be
interesting reading to those who may be
called upon to testify in cases against
booueggers:
THE late act. making the county at
torney the grand jury to investigate vio-
lations Of the law, is so far reaching and
varied in its effect. It requires the ccun-
ty attorney TO issue his subpoenae for
witnesses whose names may be handed
him by citizens when informed that the
witnesses know of the violations Of the
law, and a failure or refusal on his part
makes him liable to a penalty; but the
liability is not all on the part Of the
county attorney. If the witnesses should
refuse to obey the subjoenae or refuse to
testify when brought before him, or
should refuse to sign the evidence when
reduced 10 writing or disclose to others
what their evidence was afterwards, the
law makes it the duty OF the county at
torney to prosecute them for misde-
meanor. If they testify falsely they are
liable to be prosecuted and convicted of
perjury and sent to the penitentiay.
1.-THE operation of the law in my judg-
ment viii have two effects: First, con-
scientious men who do not care to violate
their oaths will be disinclined 10 buy and
drink liquor, but upon the contrary viii
be inclined to forego that pleasur> or pro-
cure it in legal way, if such q thing is
possible in Kansas. Those who are in
clined to disregard their oaths or screen
the parties from whom they have pur-
chased, viii find very soon that they are
up against a serious proposition. Fer
instance. John Doe is brought before the
county attorney and questioned in re-
gard TO illegal sales and he states posi-
lively that he has bought no liquor from
any one or has seen no one sell any
liquor. These questions are put to every
witness and he is obliged to answer them.
Perhaps the next witness who is brought
up is little more conscientious and an
swers the questions in the affirmative,
and on being asked whom he say buy
liquor at a certain time and place. and
another and so on and the county at
torney discovers that John Doe has tes-
tilted falsely. There is nothing for the
county attorney to do but to get out 2
warrant for John Does and prosecute him
for perjury and before he realizes the
effect Of having tried to save his friends,
he is on the way to the penitentiary and
to the coal hole. In my judgment it VIII
be impossible for any person to boot leg
or run joint for any considerable length
of time under the present law. without
being found out and convicted.
law viii have and that is to occupy the
major part Of the county attorneys time
If he comes anywhere near living up to
the demands of the citizens who furnish
him information. At present the situation
to me is rather appalling. The county
have cut the salary of the
assistants to minimum and have not
even made an order that win warrant me
to employ an assistant at al so that am
without any assistance do not make
this statement for the purpose Of com
planning, but for the purpose Of showing
the real situation. I think can do as
much work as any one man in a law Office
and the courts, but there are limits to my
ability. We have two second class cities
in this county, both of which are prolific
Of violations OF the laws being discussed
and it seems to me necessary that there
should be a prosecutor in each of these
cities. For instance, there are two cases
set for trial at Arkansas City today while
have witnesses subpoenaed to appear
before me today under this law, and not
being twins, it is impossible for me to be
in two places at the same time"