The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1916-02-25
IDAHO LAW DENOUNCED
BY MONTANA NEWSPAPERS
People are Lot of Boobs and Bigots,
Says Libby News.

The Tribune has been handed the
following clipping with the request
that it be published that the people OF
Idaho may know how others look at
the anti-liquor laws of this state. The
clipping is taken from the Libby
News, published in Lincoln county,
M ontana.
None of the startling things have
happened which are held possible un-
der the Idaho laws according to this
newspaper. However the laws are
there. The article follows
Reform and Rot.
They are in funny mlxuD in the
neighboring state of Idaho over their
recently enacted liquor legislation.
The law that goes into effect in
Idaho on the first of the year not on
ly prohibits the sale of Intoxicating
liquor within the confines of the
commonwealth, but it also makes it
a misdemeanor for any person to
have possession of any Intoxicating
liquor. The statute gives authority
to the officers to search private resi-
dences where they have reason to be-
lleve Intoxicating liquors are held.
This means that there is no sanctity
for the home in the state of Idaho.
Bedroom doors may be broken down
any time of the day or night by the
ofhcious or suspicious minion of the
law who is prompted by any motive to
enter the place. So UNANIMOUSLY un-
just and shamefully senseless is the
law that the people of Idaho have en-
acted for the government of the state
in this regard, that already public
opinion has revolted against it and
the attorney general of the common
wealth. several weeks before the law
took effect, was compelled by pub
lie opinion to already wink at and
even officially countenance an infrac>
ton of the statute. In an opinion Just
rendered by Attorney General Peter
son, he says that the peace officers of
the state must be very careful or thew
will get into trouble by being over
officious. He advises the officers moi
to search any private residences for
liquor, or break into any PERSONS
premises in pursuit of hidden booze
unless such officers are sure thew are
going to be successful in their search.
thus has co-called reform run mad
in some OF the western states. Weeks
before Idaho goes under statewide
prohibition the highest officers in the
commonwealth are suborning and en-
couraging infractions of the statute
The law will never be enforced in
ldaho-it is impossible. 1t will dis
organize industrial and social condi-
tions; it is a legislative monstrosity
born of bigotry and conceived in
scandal, freakish in its tenets. fanat-
ical in its phrases, foolish in its pur-
pose, enacted by boobs and bigots. II
will cost Idaho millions in money and
bring to the state nations contempt.
No sensible person in Idaho expects
the law to be enforced. The traveller
from New York who passes through
the state with a flask of whiskey in
his valise is subject to arrest and i'm
prisonment. the law requires that he
be arrested and punished. Is there A
sane man or woman in America who |
believes such statute is sensible, |
necessary or feasible? To enforce
such law would take the standing
lrmy of the United States, and out or |
he prosecutions would arise disorder. |
social and industrial discomfort and
asting disgrace to the people who en-
lcted the measure
The elector who votes for law
it cannot and hoping it win
lot be enforced is an essentially dis
honest, extremely dangerous and un>
worthy. citizen. Idaho's liquor legis,
alton demonstrates the growing con.
'lction that majority of the people
If the Gem State are unfit to exercise
he franchise. Idaho is destined in
he coming months to receive CON
adorable unfavorable. un-enviable and
Improbable advertising.
. For insurance of all kinds see F.
). Hoffman. l2-l0-tf