The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1910-05-05

gagged In lawbreaking. But what do
these admitted facts prove? AS the
lawyer would say demur and assert
that, standing alone they viii not sus-
tain the conclusion that the law Is
failure in a great state containing an
area of about 1900 square miles, with
population of 100000 four-fifths of
whom are living in communities where
the law is well enforced--for such is
the fact. Why, even in Dickinson,
queen of the western slope to which
reference was made by Mr.. Heinl. the
saloon and blind-pig are now things
of the past, and, what is more, the
people like the new conditions.
Three years ago made an investi-
cation of the condition as to enforce
ment in each of the thrity-three coun-
ties Of the state, through the states
attorneys of the several counties, The
tabulated report showed that in about
two thirds of the counties the law was
well enforced, while in one-third it
was not. The past three years have
witnessed wonderful changes for
greater obedience. Governor Burke
has thrown the weight of his high of
flee in favor Of enforcement, with Won
derfully telling effect, and the ten dis
trict judges throughout the state have
combined to wipe out the evil. The
passage Of the Knox G. o. d. interstate
shipment bill has already worked won
ders. One depot agent tolS me last
week that the incoming shipments at
his station had been reduced fully
four -fifths.
The recent decision of our supreme
court that the sale of malt, near beer
and all like liquors, even though con-
tanning less than per cent by volume
of alcohol, is unlawful will help to pre-
vent possibilities of evasion and will
destroy the argument that in the pro-
hibition state of North Dakota more
liquor was sold, as shown by the num-
Der Of license taxes paid in a given
year, because 1t is~well known that the
government requires dealers in all
kinds Of malt liquors. even though
commonly regarded nom Intoxicating,
to pay the tax The number last year
was S07; under the new decision these
will be practically wiped out.
Suppose we admit fact not proven,
that over 100000 wortn of liquor was
sold in North Dakota last year. What
does it signify? Simply this, that the
amount of liquor consumed in our
state under prohibition has been re-
duced approximately two thirds, as
measured in dollars. t. M Gilmore,
president National Model License
league, evidently not a prohibitionist,
is authority for the statement that
"the people of this country consume
per capita 1.3 gallons of distilled 1ia-
uors and % gallons of fermented liq-
uors a year." Outlook, March 10, D.
$3.50. Our population, then under, a
license system, would on the average
consume of distilled and fermented
liquors about $12,0O0,0OO worth. If,
therefore, only 100000 or even S.
100000 worth are now used, what does
this depreciation of $S,000O00 prove?
Speaking for my own, the third dis
trict, made up of the counties of Cass,
Trail and Steele, containing Fargo the
metropolis, let me say that under the
license system, in territorial days,
there were about 100 saloons, now
there are none. Fargo, then with a
population Of 5000, had forty-one;
now, with a population of 10000, she
is free from their curse Under the
license system, fights, brawls and stab
bling ARRAYS, especially in the sum-
mer months and on rainy days, were
of almost daily occurrence all over the
district. Now they seldom happen.
Former conditions made prohibition
lists of our farmers with wonderful
rapidity. Affairs in our courts now
show wonderful change. No longer
does the rainy day have it's terrors,
and the burden placed upon the courts
and upon the taxpayers who had to
foot the bills has been wonderfully de-
creased.
Thirty years OF residence in Da-
kota territory and the state of North
Dakota, four of which were spent as a
public prosecutor in territorial days
under the license system, and over
thirteen last past as a presiding judge,
called frequently as / am to hold court
in all parts of the state, have been
furnished an opportunity to study with
care the evolution Of both systems
AS an American citizen, a lover of my
country and her institutions, I would
fail in the duty I owe not only to this,
but to future generations, did I fail to
record here my solemn conviction that,
measured by any true standard. the
prohibitory law has been one of the
most useful instruments in bringing to