The Iola register., 1901-02-15
W. c. 7. U. COLUMN.
THE CITY TO BE SUED For DAMAGES.

THE CITY TO BE SUED FOR DAMAGES,
Southwestern Advocate: A gentle
man, whose name we are not at liberty
to use, the father of two sons growing
into manhood, has been taking legal
counsel on the question as to whether
If his sons should 90 to town and be-
come intoxicated, arrested, fined or
otherwise injured or disgraced, he
could sue the city and obtain damages.
He has talked with his lawyer and
several business men and is confirmed
in the belief that the city is liable. The
following are some of his arguments:
l. If the city permits "a defective
sidewalk or obstruction upon the walk
or street by means of which persons
are injured or damaged, the persons
so injured may sue the city and re-
cover damages.
=. The city of Winfield as well as
as other cities recognize their right to
protect their citizens in the fact that
men have been arrested for allowing
their teams to runaway and damage
property. But intoXication was the
cause of the runaway; the joint the
cause of intoXication and the city
authorities responsible for the joints.
Therefore if drunken man should
permit his team to run away, break
my buggy, bruise, wound, or kill me,
the city is responsible.
If woman whose husband spends
his time and money in drink fails to
support his family, she or any of the
children may sue the city and recover
damages at least sufficient for support.
If "A widow whose son is her depen-
dence for support is deprived of such
support on account of the running of
joints sues the city, she may recover
damages.
3. In Illinois law was passed
twenty-five years ago making the
saloon keeper responsible: but it is
argued that under a acorrect interpreta-
tion of common law the cities are
responsible even in the license states:
but more especially so in Kansas be-
cause the constitution and statutes
make it illegal for liquors to be sold
and the authorities permitting it be-
come particeps criminis. There are
persons ready to contribute money to
make test case. If this succeeds, it
will make cities responsible for the
keeping of widows and orphans whose
husbands and fathers are killed in
drunken riots or die from the effects of
drink. The farmers are becoming
aroused on this question and it would
not surprise us if some farmers boy
came into the city some day, and
cost the city several thousand dollars
Instead of being fined to keep up the
expenses of the city, his father will sue
he city to keep up the expenses of the
farm; pay off the mortgage, etc, This
is holding the city responsible as
corporation the same as railroad COM
panies and other corporations are
vantage of placing the prosecutions in
the hands of persons who are dnan.
cially interested.
Epworth Herald: A temperance
society has recently been organized
among the Armenians of Tabriz-the
first of its kind, so far as is known in
Persia. 1t has about seventy pledged
members at present among the Ar
menians, who almost universally
drank.
Selected: The police reports from
the cities show a promising decrease
in arrests for drunkenness. This is
due in some degree to the number of
modern industries which can be car
ried on only by men whose nerves are
steady. Athletic sport aid, as men
who engage in them must not drink.
The bicycle is also factor.
Fort Scott Monitor: The success of
the anti canteen movement indicates n