The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-01-21
Subject Discussed at the
BAPTIST Church Sunday
n Evening.
people were PRESENT
\ AND MEET|NG ENTHUSIASTIC
Skalason Roundly Applauded-
!. Griffith and Rev. F. E. R. NIL.
Both Gave Powerful Talks-In-
pity to Secure Witnesses and
4 Juries Cause Assigned.

lily 600 persons, 400 of whom
men filled the First Baptist
ch on Sunday night obstacles
he Enforcement of the Prohibitory
ute of North Dakota" was the
3. and B. G. skulason, assistant
es attorney of Grand Forks coun-
n. B. Griffith, president of the
6ibition league of North Dakota
= Rev. F. E. R. Miller were the
lkers.
ia. Skulason was the first speaker.
disclaimed being preacher or
rtaining the idea of giving the
d part of a sermon. He said,
FEVER, that he had some facts from
seamy side of life.
8 The obstacles to be met with in the
eorcement of the prohibition law
i b in getting of evidence and the
karacter of witnesses. Detectives or
pies are discredited men before their
Evidence is given. Patrons of blind
spigs evade and lie to escape giving
Eonvicting testimony. Men take a
solemn oath to tell the truth and af-
fsterwards violate with feelings of
amusement and smartness. The seiz-
kure method, whereby Jaw officers are
empowered to search suspected places.
Eis not always successful. When the
Esheriff or his deputies arrive, often
kthe bird has flown. When juries,
Esworn to bring in verdict on evil
Edence,h and that evidence is con-
Eclusive from the witness whose face
might well be marked exhibit A" to
ssample of the liquor itself, returns
Ia verdict of not guilty, certainly the
procedure is a farce. The sancitity of
Ethe temple of justice should not be
ESQ violated.
Who is responsible for this state of
affairs? The people. This is not an
oligarchy or a monarchy. This law
I is from the people AMI they ought to
support and enforce it. Its enforce
ment meets with opposition from three
sources: The citizens who honestly
think the law is bad; tho men who
engage in the illicit business, nd those
POOR demented creatures who must
have drink anywhere, Of any sort.
Mr.. Skulason put himself squarely
on record as favoring the law and dts
enforcement, and he thought that
what is needed Is education, tho lift
ing Of public opinion of men who serve
on juries. Hundreds think the offense
is trivial and for that reason are not
jealous in supporting the law. The
need is for strong high minded judges
and juries, fearless. pulpit. q clear
headed press, an earnest platform, and
an upright fearless citizenship.
R. B. Griffith gave IN brief history.
of the enforcement league, OF which
he Is president. He said he knew that,
when prohibition was made tie policy
Of the infant state the fight had just
begun, He. contfasted the spirit Of the
temperance people In this prohibition
state to. those found In high license
states and declared our people to be
apathetic. He referred to the difficulty
of securing convictilg evidence, while
commencing the officers of this and
few other counties. He felt that
law ohlcers were often unwilling and
corrupt in the performance Of their
duties. He also spoke of liquor agents
and original packages as Irritating in
vasions of the spirit of the statute.
He made an earnest and moving
plea for total abstinence, for the sup
port Of new measures, and the main
tenance of ofiicials in the discharge
Of their duties.
Mr.. Miller said that he considered
the discussion Of the question Of the
evening we'll suited to the church and
the occasion. He thought the men,
bers of the body Of Christ ought to
follow the example Of the girded Mas
ter washing the disciples feet and
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