The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-01-30
NOTES FROM THE LEGISLATURE.

John P. st. John, a former governor
of Kansas, as matter of fact the first
prohibition governor and VINO l1Ved III
OIathe while he made his home In
Kansas, was a visitor at the state
house yesterday and passed some lit
tie time on the floor of the senate
chamber. Governor st. John is now
located at Brownsville, Tex, and he
bowl of the world He says that
more tons of sugar to the acre can be
raised there than in any other locality
in this country. Recently Mr.. St
land, about seven miles from Browns
Vile. for $4,000 to A. G. Brokaw of
California. This particular section of
the land was a part of the battlefield
of Resaca de la Palma.
Alvin Law, who had the honor some
years ago Of representing Graham
county in the house. was a visitor
around the legislative halls today He
is one of the land kings of western
Kansas and the prairie chickens con-
gregate in the vicinity of his home.
When the season is ripe to shoot these
birds Mr.. Law insists on being the
host of his friends who are nfmrod-
ically inclined.
An anti-cigarette bill has been in
troduced in the house by Representa-
tive Edwards of Greenwood county
which makes It unlawful to sell or give
away cigarettes or cigarette paper to
any person whatsoever. Effective leg
islation has been confined to that re-
stricting the sale. That is, to prevent
the sale to children. or the use of
cigarettes by minors. One of the cry
ing evils is cigarette smoking by chill
dren. To undertake the absolute pro
hibition of the sale of cigarettes is
going at the matter in wholesale
way which might produce law which
hn ~ nd nh n
would not really accomplish the prin-
cipal result desired, though far be It
from this item, to defend the vicious
cigarette habit in any one of whatever
age of discretion.
1t is pitiful sight to see school chill
dren smoking cigarettes and there
sh ould be some law to stop 1t. The
physical health and the minds of
pupils demand that measures along
these lines be taken. Indiana has
tried a bill which prevents the sale of
! cigarettes to all persons. but the law
has been declared unconstitutional.
Minnesota has a law which prohibits
the sale to children, has been pro-
nounced constitutional. and is said to
work with considerable satisfaction.
1t is drastic in its provisions.
The Edwards bill as it stands Will
be difficult to enforce. There is not
| that prejudice against the smoking Of
cigarettes by adults as there is against
the same habit By children. If the
! legislation against cigarettes is 10 DC
| effective and get after the real trou-
BILE. it would seem to be advisable
| that the Edwards bill be amended to
correspond with the Minnesota law
! A provision in the Minnesota law
4 places the penalty upon any one who
| sells or gives away cigarettes. cigars
or tobacco to any one under eighteen
wears old, or to any minor who is a
| pupil in any school. It also goes fur
| ther and Furnishes the minor who
| smokes the cigarette in any public
| place and also Furnishes the owner of
/ the property on which children may
gather for the purpose of smoking.
| This gets at the seller, the user and
| the owner of the ground. while the
| Edwards bill is simply against the
| seller.