White Pine news. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1920-1923, 1923-12-16

ference held in the federal building.
after listening intently to an earnest
discussion of constitutional rights
and wrongs, went into executive con-
ference in the room provided for that
purpose by the United States mar
shall. While the unit rule was not
applied at the convention the Ely
delegation while in caucus has doubt
less unanimously agreed that while
all other amendments to the consti-
tuition could be most favorably re-
garded (even the income taxi, the
eighteenth amendment needed a shot
of hop because it was in direct con-
f]ict with the Declaration OF lnde-
pendence. because it is therein spe-
officially set out that one of the un--
alienable rights of all citizens is the
pursuit of happiness. That many
of the conferees while in the caucus
room broke into eloquence was cvi-
dent when their voices colld be
heard in the corridors. No doubt
many had in mind Patrick Henry's
world-famed oration and Give us
liberty or give lis death" was their
slogan. Only three got the former
and the remaining eighteen came
close to getting the latter as re-
suit of the general conference which
closed with Judge Harrington as the
presiding officer, humming the clos
ing ode. abide with me-
BY far the most startling feature
of the day was provided by United
States Attorney Springmeyer, who
seemed to be OF the opinion that only
the "give us death" portion of the
slogan should be considered.
After all the visitors had thor
oughly explained to Judge Earring
ton the reason for their presence at
the conference from their own par
ticular viewpoint and before the real
work of devising ways and means and
adopting resolutions was taken up,
Mr.. Springmeyer arose and address
ing Judge Harrington said:
l. "Your honor, I am advised that
this practically cleans up Ely, and
while I do not know what your
honor's position will be-that Is.
whether you will impose fines
alone or fines and Jail sentences
both-I am advised that at Riepe-
town the situation is deplorable. MY
information is that the stuff they
have been selling there has resulted
in leaths at the rate of one day" ;"
The total population of Riepetown
and surrounding vicinity before the
war and at the present time was not
gone into, but while all looked amaz-
ed at the statement made by the
United States attorney, Judge Far
rington seemed to be particularly in
terested. He questioned Mr.. Spring
never as to the source of the infor-
nation and was advised that it came
by way of many communications
from Ely and White Pine county to
the office of the federal attorney
Judge harrington requested that the
communications be presented to him.
and in reply to this Mr. Springmeyer
said they were in his Office in Reno
and some time would be required
in order to have them brought to
Carson City. The judge was insist
ent that it be DONE however, and Mr.
Springmeyer said he would have
them in court later in the afternoon
He then said that while he was sure
he would be able to present some let
ters, much of his information had
been obtained through personal inter-
views with persons who have come
from White Pine county to Reno to
lay the deplorable condition of af'
fairs before him, and added that
many would often tell things which
they would not write. To this Judge
Harrington replied that while he did
not care to have the names of the
signers 10 the letters or of those who
had travelled from Ely to Reno to
advise Mr.. Springmeyer, he felt the
statement was of such serious ma
ture that he wanted to be fully advis-
ed in the premises. This took place
Immediately prior to the adjourn
ment of court for the noon recess.
During the noon hour Attorney v.
II. Vargas of Ely, who represented
the Data brothers, took occasion to
examine the records in the offices OF
the state board of health. where all
deaths are required by law to be re-
folded and where SUCH records arc
kept in perfect shape by DR.. Lee.
The examination of these records
disclosed that in all White Pine cour
ty during 1928 only Two deaths were
attributed to alcoholism, and in one
instance the record disclosed that tho
deceased suffered cLmrou'd frac-
ture below the knee. THAT certifi-
cato was signed by a physician and
TIE only death attributed to ...cohcl-
-is'u By the coroner sot forth as the
cause of death from drinking to
excess of Intoxicating liquor and in
ne ID OF medical attention"
yhen this record was pr ,sented in
&C. It during the afternoon session
the United States attorney first took
the position that all deaths duo to
alcoholism are not so set out in the
death certificates.