The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1905-01-14
and there you have it--Vive la
Dubois. Whoopee! #
SUGGESTIONS TO REPUBLICAN
LEGISLATORS

ciple, between progressive Repub'
licanism and enlightened Democ-
racy? We are not going to argue
the question, but there is not the
thickness of thumb nail between
the two old parties, if we take as a
criterion the dominant element in
each. The last campaign disclosed
a barrenness of National issues that
was almost pathetic. Indeed there
was no issue, merely the questson,
Who is the better man, Roosevelt
or Parker? Locally, there was the
other question, Are the Mormons
still multiplying and replenishing
through the instrumentality of
polygamy? Dubois and Heitfelt
said, "they be-" Gooding and
Borah said, they baint," and that
was the beginning and end of the
controversy. All sides agreed that
if "they be- they ought to be
whipped. There was no difference
of principle, simply a question of
fact. There being, at this moment,
nothing between the two old parties,
it might be interesting to speculate
on what will come between them,
for some thing must. There must
be an issue.
In looking over the possibilities,
we are somewhat inclined to think
that the temperance question may
rise to place of first Importance
within the next two years. Forces
are at work within the Republican
party which impel it towards Sc
riously taking the matter in hand.
1t IS we'll known that President
Roosevelt is in favor of regulation
and restriction of the liquor traffic
and it need not surprise anybody if
he SHOULD suggest something by
way of regulative legislation. In
any event, there is fair prospect of
the Republican party taking the
question up with view to securing
practical results.
We believe that the great MAORI
ty Of the people have come to the
conclusion that, at present, absolute
prohibition is unattainable. It is
too far in advance of public senti-
ment. But there is wide field of
operation between absolute prohibi-
ton and unrestricted license. There
is the question of sellers response
bllity, also the question of purchas.
err liability. These are only cover
ed in very, inadequate way by
present statutes.
For the consideration of the
present legislature something like
the following might be suggested:
An act making the vender of in
toxicants liable in damages for
every person found intoxicated up-
on his premises. with a proviso
that after the detection of certain
number of cases, say three, the
vendors license be revoked and his
right to engage in the liquor bust
ness in this State forever annulled. |
This would be but one feature of
the act. Then, the constitution
permitting, there, might be created |
IN each County a board of LIQUOR
traffic supervisors, obligated and |
paid to enforce the law. We be-
leVe that in special board lies the
hope OF regulation and restrictive
measures. That board should have
absolute control, under the law, OIL
Ill liquor traffic within its iurisdic-
ION. 1t should have no other
'lvil Notwithstanding else to do,
No license should issue without its
approval and it should be empower
d to revoke licenses instanter
t Is not necessary here to work
'ut the detail of such a law A
hundred important things will
uggest themselves to a thoughtful
'erson. If the State constitution
oes not permit of the creation of
uch a board, would it not be
GOD way to raise the whole cues
on to propose a constitutional
authorizing the legis- ,,