The Use and Need of the Life of Carrie A. Nation [67]
five and I so testified. I never have seen
such false swearing as there is with the police. I got a fine of ten dollars.
Of course this judge was a republican.
Here is a list of the times and places I have been in jail:
In Wichita three times. Sentenced December, 1900, thirty days; January
21st, 1901, twenty-one days and January 22nd two days.
Topeka seven times; once thirty days; twice each eighteen days; then
twelve days; fifteen days, seven days and three days.
Kansas City once, part of a day; also once, part of a day at Coney
Island, once at Los Angeles; once at San Francisco; Scranton twice, one
night and part of two days; Bayonne, New Jersey a day and night; Pittsburg
three times, one night and part of two days; Philadelphia once, one
night.
I was also put in jail in Cape Breton, and in 1904, when five of us
attacked the Wholesale House of Mahan Bros., in Wichita, of which I
speak elsewhere, making a total of twenty three times.
I spoke at Sacramento, Cal., to the legislature when in session. I
got a letter from one of the officers in the capitol, telling of the joints
run
in the capitol building and patronized by the members of the legislature.
A reporter went with me. He tried to get me an opportunity to speak,
but he was told I could not do so, and that I had better leave as the crowd
prevented them doing business. I did not leave. The reporter said: "You
will not be able to speak." I said: "I will speak." I waited until the
speaker adjourned for noon, and as quick as a flash I took the stand, and
began my address. I saw impatience in the faces of many, but there was
a great cheer from visitors and pages. I spoke about as follows: "I
am glad to speak to the law-makers of California. I not only believe
in making laws, but enforcing them. I called their attention to the most
needed legislation on the lines of prohibition of evil. I could see that all
seemed rather pleased at this point, I drew out the letter which read as
follows: "Dear Madam: I see you are to visit the capitol tomorrow, I
wish to call your attention to the flagrant violations under the dome of
California's capitol. In the Bill filing room is a place where liquors are
kept, also in the Sergeant-at-Arms room in the senate chamber, behind
a screen, is stored beer and whiskey, in room 56 there is a safe where bottles
of beer and whiskey are kept. These unlicensed bars are patronized
by the members, and with their full knowledge and consent. It was certainly
a sight to see the faces of these men. After reading each charge,
I would stop and say: "Now gentlemen this must be a grave slander, and
I want you as a body to rise and down this outrage." I waited, no one
rose up. I said: "certainly there must be a mistake, is it possible that the
law-makers of this state are the law-breakers, if so, then who is capable
of punishing the criminals?" I continued, "I hope that at least there are
some of the members of this body that are ignorant of this and that some
one if only one will rise and say, "I know nothing of this;" not one arose;
Both the houses were adjourned and the aisles and lobbies were packed.
These men looked at each other grinning and looking silly, some heartily
enjoying it, reminding me of a lot of bad boys that were caught stealing
watermelons. The pages and visitors yelled and waved and clapped
their hands, but was this not a shame? This is but a sample of the
legislatures
of the states. Washington's capitol is a reproach to common
decency, this government like a fish, "stinks worse at the head."
I spoke in Austin, Texas, at the state university. When I arrived in
the city I was met by "Uncle Tom" Murrah. "Uncle Tom" is a true type
of the old fashion gentleman. Had it not been for the chivalry of this
dear friend I expect I would have had some trouble with the police of
Austin.
I went into a saloon and was led out in very forcible manner by the
proprietor, who was one of the city council. I stood in front of this
man's man-trap and cried out against this outrageous
such false swearing as there is with the police. I got a fine of ten dollars.
Of course this judge was a republican.
Here is a list of the times and places I have been in jail:
In Wichita three times. Sentenced December, 1900, thirty days; January
21st, 1901, twenty-one days and January 22nd two days.
Topeka seven times; once thirty days; twice each eighteen days; then
twelve days; fifteen days, seven days and three days.
Kansas City once, part of a day; also once, part of a day at Coney
Island, once at Los Angeles; once at San Francisco; Scranton twice, one
night and part of two days; Bayonne, New Jersey a day and night; Pittsburg
three times, one night and part of two days; Philadelphia once, one
night.
I was also put in jail in Cape Breton, and in 1904, when five of us
attacked the Wholesale House of Mahan Bros., in Wichita, of which I
speak elsewhere, making a total of twenty three times.
I spoke at Sacramento, Cal., to the legislature when in session. I
got a letter from one of the officers in the capitol, telling of the joints
run
in the capitol building and patronized by the members of the legislature.
A reporter went with me. He tried to get me an opportunity to speak,
but he was told I could not do so, and that I had better leave as the crowd
prevented them doing business. I did not leave. The reporter said: "You
will not be able to speak." I said: "I will speak." I waited until the
speaker adjourned for noon, and as quick as a flash I took the stand, and
began my address. I saw impatience in the faces of many, but there was
a great cheer from visitors and pages. I spoke about as follows: "I
am glad to speak to the law-makers of California. I not only believe
in making laws, but enforcing them. I called their attention to the most
needed legislation on the lines of prohibition of evil. I could see that all
seemed rather pleased at this point, I drew out the letter which read as
follows: "Dear Madam: I see you are to visit the capitol tomorrow, I
wish to call your attention to the flagrant violations under the dome of
California's capitol. In the Bill filing room is a place where liquors are
kept, also in the Sergeant-at-Arms room in the senate chamber, behind
a screen, is stored beer and whiskey, in room 56 there is a safe where bottles
of beer and whiskey are kept. These unlicensed bars are patronized
by the members, and with their full knowledge and consent. It was certainly
a sight to see the faces of these men. After reading each charge,
I would stop and say: "Now gentlemen this must be a grave slander, and
I want you as a body to rise and down this outrage." I waited, no one
rose up. I said: "certainly there must be a mistake, is it possible that the
law-makers of this state are the law-breakers, if so, then who is capable
of punishing the criminals?" I continued, "I hope that at least there are
some of the members of this body that are ignorant of this and that some
one if only one will rise and say, "I know nothing of this;" not one arose;
Both the houses were adjourned and the aisles and lobbies were packed.
These men looked at each other grinning and looking silly, some heartily
enjoying it, reminding me of a lot of bad boys that were caught stealing
watermelons. The pages and visitors yelled and waved and clapped
their hands, but was this not a shame? This is but a sample of the
legislatures
of the states. Washington's capitol is a reproach to common
decency, this government like a fish, "stinks worse at the head."
I spoke in Austin, Texas, at the state university. When I arrived in
the city I was met by "Uncle Tom" Murrah. "Uncle Tom" is a true type
of the old fashion gentleman. Had it not been for the chivalry of this
dear friend I expect I would have had some trouble with the police of
Austin.
I went into a saloon and was led out in very forcible manner by the
proprietor, who was one of the city council. I stood in front of this
man's man-trap and cried out against this outrageous