The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-02-10
hit THE Bull : EYE
James Lawrence Tells a Long
Suppressed Story
ABOUT PROHIBITION LAW
1t Is as Dead as Caeser and
People Know 1t
ABOUT PROHIBITION LAW

Topeka, Kan. Feb. s.-Representative
James Lawrence Of Sumner county has
hit the bulls eye in the legislature By
telling an immense lot Of truth about
the prohibition law. It was in the dis
cUssion Of Richardson's biL which pass
ed the house. The bill provides that
any county attorney who may have
reason to believe that a public ofense
has been committed in his county is here
by authorized and empowered to issue
his subpoena for such persons as he may
have reason to believe have any knowl-
edge concerning such orense. recurring
them 10 testify concerning the same
Witnesses shall be required to testify IN
der oath as to any knowIedga they NAV
nave as to the violation OF the laws Of
the state The testimony Of every such
witness shall be reduced to writing and
signed by the witness. If the testimony
so taken shall disclose that public Of
tense has been committed the county al
torney shall forthwith file in court com
plant against the person or persons an
pearing to be guilty thereof and shall
attach to the complaint the testimony Of
such witnesses as disclose the commits
sion Of the offense charged"
representative Nantey, after an al
tempt had been made to defer the con-
slderation of the bill, moved 10 strike OUT
the enacting clause Representatives
Richardson BuckIin, johnson of Decatur
ana Durham spoke against the motion
declaring the law to be a good one and
IN the interest Of law enforcement. Mr.
Mason Of Ffnney said that the law was
not a new one but simply an old enact
ment 50 arranged as 10 be constitutional
and said It was applicable not only To
the enforcement Of the prohibitory law.
but to the inquiring into of any pubic
onense.
I would not be doing my duty 6y my
people If voted for this bill declared
Representative Dooley of MONTGOMERY.
This law IS a dangerous measure. Il
makes a county attorney an inauisitor
and makes him prosecuting attorney.
court and jury. II puts a premium on
law breaking and makes perjury
virtue"
., come. come" CALCULATED Mr.. Jol-
life Of Marion.
That's what 7 said" shouted Mr..
Dooley savagely. 81 say its an infamous
bill It will create a lot Of spies and
sneaks who win spend their time trump
ing up charges against respectable bust
ness men As matter of fact the pro-
hibitory law is a dead letter and my peo-
pie are glad of it,"
Mr. Griffin of Jefferson favored the bill
and started of by giving a few quota
tons from Shakespeare and saying that
he had noticed that whenever he spoke
in favor Of a bill if was promptly killed.
but he thought he would take the chances
on this measure. He said that the very
men who so earnestly condemned mob
violence few weeks ago are now oppos-
ing law enforcement.
Mr. Lawrence of Sumner created
small sensation by his speech. He de-
clared his opposition to the measure, say
ing it was dangerous to delegate such
power with the county attorney.
The prohibitory law has never been
in Sumner county ne declared. !
"and never viii be. It never. has been
enforced in Shawnee county. and doubt
if 1t ever VIII be. The supreme court has
already declared this law unconstitudon-
al, and viii do so again, believe. Why
is it that we have on our statute books
pages about prohibition and
but six lines about murder? Which law
IS obeyed? The trouble with the en-
forcement Of the prohibitOry law is the
county attorneys. They could close ZIP
every saloon in Kansas If they would .
They won't because they want 10 be re-
elected. Every time p liquor case is on .
trial business men. supposedly respect +
able citizens, hagrantly perjure them .
selves. know Of hundreds Of cases.
and so do YOU"
What makes them periure them
selves?" asked Mr.. Grattan
THE prohibitory law" rejoined Mr
Lawrence.
"Why don't YOU resubmit the law" in
CURED Mr.. johnson Of Decatur in a 5eer-
ng tone
when YOU Populists were in power
shouted Mr.. Lawrence in reply. "you
were too cowardly to attempt IL. The
same IS true Of the Republicans now.
Mr. Mason Of Finnev moved that the
bin be reported favorably. Mr. Dooley
amended by making IL subject 70 amend
meut and debate The amendment vas
voted down by 81 20 81 and The bin fav-
1rably recommen7ed. The vote was not
m party lines. quite a number on both
SIDES voting against the favorable re-
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