Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-12-22
FOR AND AGAINST The STATE
C0NSTAbULARY
(Keokuk Gate city,

D.
The proposition is Objectionable
1. Because it is in fragrant viola-
ton of the principle of local self-gov-
eminent. Under our American syS-
tenn of government 1t Is the right of
each individual community to regulate
Its own local affairs. For the most
part, wisely, these matters are left to
the several communities. Upon some
things all communities are agreed-for
instance, that murder and theft are
crimes and should be punished as
such. Laws preventing these and like
offenses and providing for their pun
ishment have everywhere the support
cf unanimous public sentiment and
can be enforced without difficulty. On
the other hand, there are certain 9TH
er matters concerning which different
communities hold different views.
This is particularly true regarding
sunptuary regulations. Even the same
community at different times holds to
directly opposite views on the sub
ject. One community will by law de-
clare liquor selling misdemeanor to
he punished to the full extent of the
law Another community will content
itself with licensing and controlling
the traffic in intoxicants. At another
time, Under the local option privilege,
either rnay, and sometimes does, re-
verse its attitude What was declared
lawful one. and what was lawful may
at another time be declared unlawful.
These things are mentioned to show
the wisdom of allowing each comnlun-
ity to settle for itself the matters
about which, in the nature Of things,
there is wide difference of opinion.
1t may be set down as automatic that
no law can be successfully en-
forced that is not supported by pub
lie sentiment.
2. Because attempts to enforce
such a law would result in more law
lessnass and disorder than non-en-
forcement of the details of the liquor
law. The matter is as well and gener-
ally enforced already in most commu-
and warrants, and attempts to go
further would only entail expense and
possibly violence without the attain
inent OF any good end The measure
is pregnant with danger.
8. Because 1t would greatly in
crease the cost OF government to the
tax payers without corresponding gain.
The till drawn up for presentation to
the legislature provides that one-third
Of all the mulct tax collected by the
counties shall Il go to pay the state
| rtnpshals. and their deputies for en-
deaFt ring to enforce details of the
law which the people do not want
CilAVENSu. Lit tllECl. u ILLS QlNGrSlOIl
OF the public revenues from the road
and other funds Of the various coun-
| ties into the private pockets OF q lot
of paid spies and disturbers Of the
peace would necessitate increase Of
the general tax levy. which is quite
high enough already. No Iowa tax
payer as far as heard from Is
! tax receipt. II any change is to be
| made reduction would be much pre-
| ferred.
Again. the proposed law contem-
plates that "said marshals shall have
| power to appoint in writing as many
| deputies as shall be necessary to aid
| them in the full and faithful perform
| ed" There is no limit to the expense
the marshals under this provision may
saddle upon the tax payers OF the
state. They may appoint a dozen or a
hundred or a thousand, and the prop
erty owner will have no alternative
but to foot the bill. Moreover, It is
provided that the marshals may en-
| gage attorneys ad 1ibitum, their fees
to be taxed as costs in the cases, and
| in the event the defendant is not good
for the amount said attorneys fees
shall be paid by the county" One can
readily imagine why certain attorneys
should favor such a law. but 1t is not
1
man who pays the freight. In addition
| to their salaries the marshals and
| their horde OF deputies are to be al
lowed Office and travelling expenses.
clerk hire and 'incidentals." Still fur
Their. "the legal fees now taxable in
liquor prosecutions both civil and
criminal, for the services of sheriffs
shall be taxed in such causes for the
services Of district nnarshals and their
4 deputies
4. Because It would open up unlim-
tied opportunities for graft and cor
ruption. 1t would make Iowa not only
a seething caldron Of discomfort,
suspicion and disorder, overrun with
paid spies and informers, but it would
put premium en- bribery and con-
nivance at infractions of law.
5. Because the legislation proposed
discriminates in favor of one law as
against all other laws. 1t would be
class legislation in its very worst
form. 1t looks only to enforcement of
the liquor law, that is already as well
enforced as it can be.