Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-02-02
ABRAMS NUCHP[EASED
Decision Upholding Dipsomania
Law Gratifying to the Anti
Saloon League Agent
ABRAMS REAL AUTHOR OF LAW
In the Decision of the Court, Criticisms
of the Law Were Fairly Met and ov-
ercome-Not Every Person Addicted
to Intoxicating Liquors Amenable to
Its Provisions.
Special to Times Republican.

Special to Tlmes-Republican.
Des Moines, Feb 2.-The decision of
the courts in this county upholding the
new Iowa law for u dipsomania ward
in the state hospitals was highly
pleasing to Fl. III. Abrams, the state
agent for the Anti Saloon League, for
merly resident of Des Moines, but
now living in Iowa City, Mr.. Abrams
was in the city last week making some
inquiries in regard to the law. He has
been confident all along that the law
would be upheld on general principles
even tho similar statutes in some other
states have been knocked out. Mr..
Abrams was the real author and pro-
nloter of the dipsomania law He
pushed it before the legislature because
he believed that something ought to be
done to provide for the irresponsible
victims of drugs and drinks. The de-
cisioD rendered by Judge Moyey, which
was in fact his opinion and that of ex-
Chief Justice Given sitting with him on
the district bench. as related to the
general policy of the law is encouraging
to those who have upheld 1t in the past.
Judge McVey said:
TT has been said in criticism of the
law that it Is far-reaching in it's appli-
cation and that 1t is a dangerous exer-
else Of the paternal powers of the legis-
lature. On the other hand the law has
been highly commended as a long step
toward the suppression and control of
the evil resulting from the excessive
use OF Intoxicating liquors. 1t is per-
haps true that both the opponents and
the defenders of this law have taken
more or less exaggerated views of its
provisions. 1t may be we'll to say that
1T Is not every person who Is addicted
to the use of Intoxicating liquors or
narcotics that is amenable to the pro-
tE;sions OF this statute. So long as Il
person Is not dangerous to society or 10
those associated with him in family or
Ineighborly relations. and so long as he
is able to take care of himself and his
property he can not be lawfully COM
mitted under the provisions of this stat
ute. 1t is only when he becomes an in
ebriate and consequently endangers so-
|ciety and those associated with him,
and becomes unable to take care of
himself and his property, that the pro-
visions Of the statute apply, and II the
statute is administered according to
the true intent and purpose of the law
there is very little danger to be appre-
hended from it's enforcement"
While Mr.. Abrams end others of the
ti-Saloon League and the various
Temperance and refofmatory organiza-
tions Of the state are fairly we'll pleased
with the operations of the law they are
mot unmindful that 1t has some pro-
visions that call for amendment of the
law at the next session of the legisla-
ture. It is, therefore, morally certain
that they are going TO devote some time
to consideration OF the candidates.
which spring up in various parts Of the
state for members o. the legislature.
They desire legislature that will be
friendly to the law end revise 1t In
spirit of friendliness rather than other
wise. They will especially look after
the speakership in the house to see that
they do not get one who will antagonize
He
laws they purpose bringing before the
Legislature and they are solicitous for
them.
Mr.. Abrams believes that the result.
of the muddle into which saloon mat
tiers are getting in various parts of the
state, the failure OF enforcement IN
some counties, the constant warfare In
others, the dissatisfaction in some
towns and cities. and all the various
Weaknesses and deficiencies of the pres
ent prohibitory law and its adjuncts,
tends toward the establishment OF the
dispensary system for the state OF Iowa.
A step in that direction is. being taken
by the formation of the clubs under
Rankin to secure law for state con-
stabulary in order to end the local con-
t,ol of police regulation as affecting the
LIQUOR trade Another step will be to
openly urge the establishment of
state dispensary System and the aboli-
ton of all privately owned saloons In
eyery part of the state. Those who are
considering this as a probable termina-
ton of the matter in Iowa are not say
ing much as yet, bur they are Keeping
LAD Oh affairs ullu D-llSSS ~ - SoAAAAANs9'
The special election in the Second
congressional district is likely to be held
on good day-Lincoln's birthday. II
the call is made today by the governor
for this special election the earliest
date he can fix on is Feb. IL. That
might be as good a way as any. or ceie-
brating Lincoln day IN the six counties
of the Second congressional district. IL
that should be done the man elected
could probably get to Washington with
his credentials by Monday. Feb. l6, ana
be sworn in. 1t would cost the district
anywhere from $4,000 to S15,ooo for the
special election, but the success1ul can
didate would get $4,000 for occupying
seat in the house for two weeks. He
would be utterly useless as a member
of the house unless there should be
sc1ne close vote WHERE he would have a
chance to decide something. Governor
Cummins and all who have considered
lit agree that the holding of a special
election in the Second district at this
time is sheer waste OF money and
that If 1t can be avoided 1t should be.