The Topeka state journal., 1909-01-27
LAW is DRASTIC.
House Passes the Anti Drug
Store Bill.
The Measure Is a Long Com
plicated One.
A LIVELY DEBATE.
Band Wagon Is Run Over the
Opposition.
Admitted That 1t Shaves Edges
Off Constitution.
LIVELY DEBATE.


first section.
The measure is the most drastic ev-
er placed on a statute book of any
state in the union. 1t shaves the
edges off the constitution and scOrches
the pages of that book of individual
freedom. Still the majority walked
up to the trough and showed every
disposition to pour out and swallow
the dose as a whole. But the min
ority held back and attacked the bill
from every angle-and there were
plenty of weak points presented to in
vfte that attack. The strength of the
bill was it's weakness
After the bill had been read. and it
took nearly an hour to perform this
task, Harmon of LeavenwOrth moved
that the enacting clause be struck out,
which was virtually a motion to kill
the bill. He declared in giving his
reason, that no reputable druggist
would operate under the bill, while
it actually protected the disreputa BILE
drug and booze dealers. 1t was only
calculated to form a new commission
for the diSpenSation of political jobs
and would be an encum brance to the
statute books and an additional expense
of $4,000 per year to the taxpayers.
Hopkins of Jackson, in seconding the
motion to kill the bill went further.
He declared that it provided for the
forming of the most iniquitous and
tighteSt trust that ever cursed this
state. The taking away of powers from
the los probate judges of the state and
placing all the authority of issuing or
denying druggists permits in the hands
of a board of three persons was about
the worst ever. And all this in the
name of temperance! The bill is cal
culated to give one drug store in each
town bonanza and shuts out all COM
petition. Think of it, only one drug
store with a permit for every 5000
people. county with less than this
population is barred from application
for permit. Hopkins made a strong
and logical speech. He was one of
the leaders in the prohibition crusade
and helped frame and pass the search
and seizure act, but this new whim of
the attorney general was too much.
Veatch of Washington declared that
this proposed law was dangerous and
would cause trouble rather than do
good.
Flanagan of Decatur. Brown of
all spoke against the bill and for the
motion to kill it. The latter said that
the bill was drawn more for the pur-
pose of getting votes than anything
else.
Amrine, Buckman and Cunningham
defended the bill They thought it was
a good bill and cited as a reason there
for that it had been drawn by the at
torney general. The king can do no
wrong. Long live the king.
The motion to kill the bill was de-
feated 81 to At, one Democrat voting
against it and nine Republicans for
the motion.
Then the clerk started in to read the
bill by sections and the first section
drew a rapid fire of amendments that
would have put the bill into the junk
shop in a very short time if its friends
had not called Attorney General jack
son to the floor to defend his pet meas
ure. Jackson made speech and an
swered lot of questions and when he
k@s. I,, a
ing the house that the bill was more.
drastic than had been supposed in the
first place. He admitted that the
measure was a death blow to partner
ship druggists and argued that the fees
for permits would pay the expense OF
the commission. 1t is not likely that
the fees for permits under this law
would pay for shining the commissions
shoes, If they are honest and impartial
in the performance of their duty under
this law.
The house adjourned fo. supper while
still considering section one of the bill.
Briefly this proposed law requires
that q druggist, in order to get a per
init, be a registered pharmacist and
his partner and clerk must also be
registered. He must have a petition
containing the names of one-third of
the taxpayers in his district. He must
have been in business at his stand for
at least year and must show up
strong on moral reputation. If the
object he Is barred. After passing all
these obstacles he must come to To-
peka and persuade a commission of
three men, composed of the secretary
of the state board of health, the dean
of pharmacy at the State university
and some appointee of the governors
to give him a permit. If they. refuse
him so much the worse for him. If
they grant his prayer it is a miracle
and he can credit his eloquence or his
generosity for its accomplishment.
Last night was university night
with the ways and means committee
both bodies holding joint session in
the state treasurer's office. The
members of the board of regents
were present To Chancellor Strong
was delegated the presentation of the
university'S needs He covered the
matter in able impressive man
ner, supplementing his talk by photo
graphs of the grounds and buildings.
He explained to the committees why
It was necessary that the university
should receive appropriations cover
ing the next two years aggregating
81, 100000 including buildings the
board and faculty deemed necessary.
The chancellor's talk was listened
to with marked attention At the
close Representative Jewett, of Sedg-
wick county presented q motion
which carried, providing for a visit
on the part of the members of the
ways and means committees of both
houses to Lawrence to visit the in
stitution and obtain a closer view of
matters and conditions The com
mittee fixed upon Friday, January
29th, as the date.
New Bills in House.
The following additional bills have
been introduced in the house:
H. B. No. 429. BY Laubach-An act
prohibiting the sale and purchase of
diseased animals for food.
H B. No. 430. BY Laubach-An act
.or the protection of prairie chickens