The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-03-24
\ LEGISLATIVE FARCE.

The passage through both houses of
the Halvorson anti-cigarette bill is a
wretched perversion of the function of
legislation. 1t involves not only a re-
Election on those who voted for it, but
upon the intelligence of the people Of
treated as stalking horse for all sorts
of foolish jokes, when, as a matter of
fact. it is quite serious matter, with
nothing in reason or public necessity to
justify it.
On what principle is it that the intro
duction of tobacco into this state can
be or ought to be forbidden? Not only
does this measure inhibit the sale or
giving away of cigarettes. but it is d.
rected even to the sale of cigarette pa
per.
1t is worth while to reproduce here the
only section of the bill which. we are
told. the bill contains. save the enact
ing clause. 1t is as follows:
1T shall be a misdemeanor, punishable
by fine as hereinafter provided for any
person, firm or corporation to SELL offer
TO SELL give away, or otherwise dispose
OF any cigarette, cigarettes or cigarette
paper, or substitute for the same, and a
violation Of the provisions Of this act
shall be a misdemeanor punishable by
fine OF not less than $780,
The author of this singular measure de-
clares that its purpose is to prevent boys
from smoking cigarettes. Then he sagely
observed: las a matter of fact the bill
docs not prevent man from smoking
all the cigarettes he likes, and il he
BIS them outside Of the state the pro-
visions Of my bill cannot. affect him"
Here is the very essence of statecraft!
If you have acquired the demoralizing
habit of cigarette smoking you must go
outside OF the state to buy your ma
terials, because if they are sold to you
here the seller is guilty of misdemeanor
and may be fined; and, we presume in
default Of the money to pay the fine, may
be sent to Jail!
OF course the manufacturers of tobacco
or of white paper have no rights what
ever in this state; at least they are not
expected TO have after this precious
measure becomes a law. What do we
here in Minnesota care for interstate
commerce? If we propose to roast
sucking pig, what is to prevent US from
adopting the Chinese method of burning
down house or any number of houses
to accomplish the purpose? Tobacco is
ordinarily tobacco; but when it comes
rolled up in the form of cigarettes 1t Is
a commodity of another complexion en-
tirely. And what must we say of that
deYilish device known as rice paper
which is used in the manufacture of the
deadly cigarettes? Are we to stand by
and see the tobacco trust go on intro
ducing. those dangerous commodities
into this state, and never protect our
growing youth against the dangers in
volved?
In the language of the day it is up to
the governor. If he does not attach his
signature to this measure he NAV arouse
the intelligent sentiment against him In
response to which it was enacted. If he
does, there will remain an enduring doubt
as to his sanity among a number of his
fellow citizens. So that, so far as Gov.
Van SAINT is concerned, it is a case of
being damned if he does and being
damned with equal certainty if he does
rot
Senator IIalvorson will never go down
TO history in the same category as Ser.
ator McHale He viii have a niche in
the temple of fame which will be re-
served for all time to the preservation
Of his Individual memory as a states
man.