Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-01-01
.HAWKEYE JOINTS
IN STATE OF FEAR
ATTORNEY GENERAL PROMISES
LAW ENFORCEMENT.
CHECK To SLlPSHOD WAYS
Open Violation in River Towns Gives
Way To Wholesome Reformation
Anti-SaIoon Men Working--Force
Local Official To Act Mo More
Sunday Saloon.

way ] o Wholesome reformation
Anti-SaIoon Men Working--Force
Local Official To Act Mo More
Sunday Saloon.
Des Moines, Ia, Dec. 25.-The awak-
eaing of public sentiment for law
enforcement in Iowa promises TO be-
come in important element in the
political affairs of the state. The law
which is particularly needing enforce
ment in this state is the so-called
murct law, under which saloons have
a legal existence in certain districts.
When enacted, this law was con-
sidered as sort of makesnift, which,
it was hoped, would control LIE traffic
in those sections of the state where
prohibition was not enforced. The
law is stringent in its details and the
result has been that, in the river dis
tricts, but few of its provisions nave
been lived up to by the saloonkeepers.
The recent troubles in Davenport nave
called attention W the act that IN
that city, as well as others located on
the borders of the state, the saloons
have been run in sort of so as you
pleose manner.
AS result of the declaration by
ttorney General Byers that his de-
partment was clothed with sunlcient
power by present legislation to en-
force the law, change has takon
nIaCe In conditions
Prohibits the Sunday Saloon.
The mulct law prohibits the opening
of saloons on Sunday and requires
that they be closed at 10 o'clock on
the night of each week day. In
Davenport, however, the closing hour
was fixed by some sort Of agreement
at ii p. m, aud the saloons were al
lowed to open at p. m. on Sundays,
After the reform wave began to
manifest itself in the state and the
ant.-saloon forces announced that they
proposed 10 make campaign which
might extend not only to the enforce
ment of the law in all parts Of tha
state but to the revival of the prohibit
ton idea and the resubmission of u
prohibition amendment, the brewers
and other interests which control the
retail liquor traffic Of the sta;S - gan
to be alarmed.
They realized the possibility Of
much more drastic legislation, and =
avert such action on the part of the
next legislature notice was serv I'd
upon the saloonkeepeIs that they must
make an effort to comply with the
mulct law. The result II this action
is manifested in the changed con H.
t ons at Davenport. Saloons now are
closed at 10 p. m, and, with few ex'
captions, the doors are closed on Sim
day and no liquor sold over the bar
on chat day the saloonkeepers also
are fling the bonds required by law
and they have agreed to observe tho
other details of this measure.
Anti-saloon Men Working.
In other parts of the state. also he
same action is being taken by he
saloon men, and the leaders OF the
saloonkeepers' state organization say
that they have no doubt the law will
be observed In all parts Of the state
in the future.
The anti-saloon forces are not d s.
posed to accept these promises and
VIII see TO 1t that organizations are
formed III every county for the en-
forcement Of the law
II is hoped by the saloon men that
strict observance Of the law will
have tendency TO prevent additional
Legislation at the next session OF the
legislation On the other hand, II the
legislature were to meet this winter
instead of a year hence, there can bs
no question but that food of bills
would be introduced for additional
Legislation on this subject
The state marshal bill, which has
been before the legislature for num.
her of sessions, but has hitherto failed
to pass, would probably be one of the
mildest measures presented. This
measure has not hitherto had the sup
port of the politicians on the ground
tildL IL was a SJdte fOustdDuihTy Hlea-
sue which they held was repugnant 20
the idea os Local self-goverpment.
Try to Revive Marshal Law.
The statement by the attorney gen.
eral that his deartment has all the
power necessary and that he proposes
to use this power for the enforcement
Of the law may prevent the adoption
Of the state marshal Law. But It is ur-
dorstood. however that the managers
Of the organization which has been
push ng this bill are arranging for
another campaign In is interest and
expect to bring II bofore the legisIa-
I 'ure at the next sesi ion.
The Anti-SaIoou league viii. It II
understood. attempt to secure the
passage by the legislature Of reso.
ltion submitting to the legislature Of
the state prohibition amendment to
the constitution. Should such a res.
olution be adopted It would require
! the concurrence OF the legislature