CORRESPONDENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 212, 7 September 1899, Page 8

CORRESPONDENCE.

PROHIBITION IN AMERICA.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —As you have published the Views of Mr Gn.rdner concerting Prohibition in the American States he has visited, I hope you will be able to find space for tlhe insertion of these accompanying testimonies from two ex-governors of Prohibition States. These testimonies are tip to date, and are from gentlemen who are in a position to speak with authority on tlie subject. The letters were addressed last year to Canadian voters in view of the plebiscite that was taken throughout the Dominion on the liquor question. —I am, etc.,

WM. JAS. WILLIAMS. September 6, 1599.

In the letters forwarded by Mr Williams, ex-Governor Larrabee, of lowa, states t;hat the question of Prohibi- \ tion has been submitted to a vote of j the people of this State twice and both times was adopted by them, the last time by a majority of nearly 30,000. The Prohibition statute came into force July 4, 1884, and was amended and strengthened in 1889. Within four years from the last date, nearly 3.000 saloons were closed in lowa. The Jaw grew steadily in public favour, and for two years prior to IS9O it was nearly as well enforced in 90 out of the 99 counties of the State as any I other law. It was better enforced an these 90 counties than any license law has ever been enforced in the State. The testimony of the judges showed that criminal business had | been reduced from 30 to 75 per cent., J and expenses of criminal courts were I reduced in like proportion. There were less paupers and less tramps in the State in proportion to population than j ever before. Breweries were converted into oatmeal mills and canning factories, and operated as such by their owners. There was an increased i school attendance throughout the j State. The poorer classes had better, far better, clothing, better schooling, and better houses. The deposits in banks showed an unprecedented increase, and everywhere there were indications of a healthy growth in legitimate trade. Not one-tenfh, and probably not one-twenthieth as much liqour was consumed in the State as there was five years before. The standard of temperance has been greatly raised; and this was true even in those cities where the law was not well enforced. But the liquor interests arc j always active, and have been m this ! State, as elsewhere; and secured a modification of the law in 1894, enabling saloons to be opened Where a certain proportion of the people petition- j ed for it. This law has now been in operation for four years, with mos +, disastrous results. Gaols are now ao-ain filled; the number of convicts in the penitentiaries has nearly or qxiite doubled, and the same can be said of the poorhouses. Taxes have increased. 1 Ex-Governor St. John, of Kansas, says: _"l have resided in Kansas 30 years —13 years unfler Local Option and High License, and 17 years under Prohibition —and I know whereof I speak when I say that even poorly enforced prohibition is far better than any license law. Kansas under Prohibition has one mile of rail'rood for every 150 of her popn- | lation, against one mile for each j 700 people in the North Atlantic States. While the wealth of the United States increased only 50 per cent. from ISRO to 1890, in Kansas the incren pp was 137 per pent. "Kansas has j jnnrr churches. schooihoiises, and so i,o- men, nnrl fewer drunkards, than arr . r-fhrv civilised territory of Tike MirJ n-v fhc face of the clohe. WhereeTr . v n . ir prohibitory law is not fairly tvpll r .nfnrced. it is owinc to the treachf>r .. n f pVrinrerl offielnlfl. The very fp,,'- flmt pvprv pninmi-kopor opposes; PfnfjiWtlriTj bli'otiM rally every decent jnan to its support." *