Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1905-08-09
,avwE MATTER OF LICENSES.

Willmar has succeeded far better
than most of the prohibition towns In
keeping the violators OF the law, IN
der subsection. Ever since the citi-'
z,ns learned the necessity OF electing
officers willing to do their best to en-
force the law it has been enforced 80
thoroly % to make Willmar . model
city In this respect. Thanks to our
clean admtnistra alton, and especially
to our tireless chief of police, the
blind pig industry has dwindled to
very Insignificant proportions.
But there still remains one trouble
to contend with. 10 spite Of the fact
that our citizens have voted against
licensing the sale OF intoxicating H.
quor Uncle Sam cody ignores the
wishes of the people and hands out IL
censes for both: retail and Wholesale
liquor selling. The retail license Is
not much bother, for it does not legal.
lie the sale of liquor until local H.
cense is granted. 1t merely protects
the piggers from interference from
Uncle Sam; It does appear small
business for the national government
to overlook violations of the law for
the sum If twenty-five dollars. But
the Wholesale license to beer houses is
the great bother, for they need not ap-
ply for . local license, and can there.
fore with the backing of the great ma
tionsl government override the wishes
Of the people Is long as the quantity
sold 10 large enough to cover the regu-
lations. This Is IN outrage. The
theory of the government in general
10 that local questions should be de-
cided by the people affected. This
licensing ct booze joints should be
forbidden. The temperance people
all over the country ought to make a
determined effort to relieve Uncle Sam
from the disgraceful position ofbacking
blindpigs. We believe that this ques-
ton rests with the internal revenue
department., which is under the secre.
tary of the treasury. An effort should
be made to have him issue regula-
tions stopping this business. Should
it be found that he has not the author
ity to refuse license, tho he has the
power to grant it, congress should be
appealed to.
Meanwhile, something ought to be
done to in some measure check the
business here. These houses are, es-
pecially during summer, regular
nuisance. Parties of travelling hoboes
and sometimes local hoboes too, get
kegs of beer and camp near the stock
yards and other outlying districts,
where they indulge in their wild or.
giles. Sometimes they even get 90
bold as to camp on the root of busi-
ness houses in town. Mr.. Bonde and
his assistants are kept busy At certain
times breaking up these gangs. The
prohibition Of liquor selling in 80.
looms has removed the hobo nuisance
lfO@ OOT mO1u bAOI O1O1O0s IA We
could close up the beerhouses We would
almost entirely be free from it in other
parts of the town. It 10 the opinion
of many that these places can be pro-
ceeded against rs common nuissnces'
It is worth trying and should be tried
There 10 law on the states statu.
ties prohibiting the establif hment Of
Wholesale liquor houses In prohibition
towns. This is the socalled Thorpe
law. While many declare that it Ii
unconstitutional, We are informed tha'
It's author, Senator Thorpe, still
thinks it is good law. The city au'
thorities should investigate this matte,
and try what the law is worth. This
10 q matter that Is In the hands Of thu
council and the mayor, and they
should have the law tested, If ther.
seems any probability that it will hole
good.