The Butler weekly times., 1908-10-10
OTHER MATTERS OF LITIGATION.

OTHER MATTERS OF LITIGATION
II time permitted me to do so, ! should
like TO review other important and inter
esting matters Of litigation which my Of
nee has conducted during the last four
years. In the fight that was waged by
the people of Missouri sgainSt rsce-track
gambling | took an active part nj the
request Of Governor Folk. not only In
the supreme Court Of Missouri, but also
in the conduct Of prosecutions in the Cir
cuit Court Of st. Louis County. And at
my own instance | began suit in the
supreme Court Of the State IN forfeit the
charter of the Delmar Jockey Club which.
protected by official and political iufiu-
care. had long dehed the laws OF MIS-
souri,. This suit was bitterly contested
hv the ahlest lawyers, through the Su-
preme Court Of Missouri and the Supreme
Court of the United States. and within
the last six months. a decision was Sc
cured from the highest tribunal in our
land ending the existence Of that no.
torous but once powerful. organization.
Another important matter Of litigation
that is deserving ot mention, in view OF
the plank in the Democratic platform IN
reference to lawlessness In 81. Louis
County, are the prosecutions that have
been conducted by Mr.. kennish and my
self 10 suppress the iawless saloons and
/ liquor clubs in that county. And 10y the
use of the ordinary processes Of the Law
I In the courts OF that county, these sa-
looms and clubs which Were conducted
I not only to the injury Of the licensed ga
loon. but which were also the cause Of
/ frequent disturbances and lawleSSness.
have now been practically suppressed. At
al events. the laws regulating the sale
Of intoxicating liquors, through the active
efforts of my office. are as well enforced
| In 81. Louis County today as they are In
/ st. Louis and Kansas city. and II IN O.
significant fact that every one of these
saloons and lid clubs which furnishes the
occasion for this plank in the Democratic
platform, were open supporters of Mr..
Cowhcrd for the nomination and are to-
day actively supporting him for election.
/ Further comment upon this situation
would be supcriluous.
In addition To the suit against the Del
mar Jockey Club which | prosecuted
against able counsel to successful de-
ICisiOn through the Supreme Court OF Mis-
souri, and through the Supreme Court OF
the United States. | have also conducted
through both of these courts the Bar
rington case and the Spaugh case, and
a case which Involved the constitution
ality Of the law limiting the hours OF
labor In underground mines to eight
hours in each twenty-four, For my ef-
forts to sustain the constitutionality OF
this law which resulted in a unanimous
decision from the Supreme Court of the
United States, | received the thanks, not
only Of the Western Federation of Miners,
but also of a Yimher Of associations o.
miners in the State of Missouri,
In addition to these matters Of litiga-
tion | participated during the last year,
at the request Of the State Of Minnesota.
lin the argument Of the most important
Question affecting our system and fern
of government which has been submitted
to the Supreme Court OF the United
States in the last twenty-five years, That
was the question as to whether it was
the right Of public service corporation
to cnjoin in the United States Courts an
officer of a state from enforcing state
law in its own courts. | assisted in this
ease at the request Of the state of Mime
sofa. because the same question was in
!. vuvCd in important litigation in which
the State of Missouri was interested. 1t
was my contention in that case that 1t
, was a violation Of the Constitution Of the
United States and an infringement upon
the sovereignty that belongs to the sew
; eral States to deny to the officers OF the
State the right to prosecute in its own
courts suits to determine the constitution
! ality of its own laws. Though this case
, was by n divided court decided adversely
! to this contention, 1t was some satisfac-
! ton to me- and some satisfaction, | be-
! lieve, to the people of Missouri to know
that this State took an active and an ag-
lgressive part in this important contro-
versy which arose from the efforts OF the
! people of the several States to regulate
the charges of public service corporations.
: And. yet, Notwithstanding this record
/, which | have but briefly and imperfectly
= reviewed for you, understand that 1t is
y the contention of the Democratic orators
= that while | have endeavored to dis
! charge the duties of my office with an
= honesty of purpose, ! have failed in the
; accomplishment of results. And il was
, the statement of my distinguished op-
? lponent, Mr.. Cowherd. that the office OF
Y Attorney General. under my management
:, had reached "ts maximum of efficiency
: in advertising and Its minimum of eff
: cheney In results" | should be very much
y pleased if Mr. Cowherd would call to the
u attention Of the people of Missouri that
u portion Of his public record which, in his
I opinion. represents THE maximum Of ef-
fcicncy in results" and The minimum OF
!, efficiency in advertising.