Rensselaer Republican, Volume 21, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 May 1889 — A Sneak Thief Nabbed. [ARTICLE]

A Sneak Thief Nabbed.

The Republican town convention put up an excellent ticket, last Monday evening, and ojje which fully deserves and we think will receive the full support of the party. The candidates for Clerk and| Treasure*, Messrs. Ghilcote and Starr, arothe present incumbents of fhose offices, and have alieady demonstrated their faithfulness "and efficiency in their respective offices, to the ample satisfaction of all their townsmen. As for Messrs. Kaunal and Porter, the candidates for councilman, although new men for that position, there can be no question as to their complete fitness for it. They are honorable and upright men, in the fullest sense of the words, are good men of business, and while they will be public spirited and progressive in managing the affairs of the tov,n, they will take good care that every dollar of the public money is carefully and judiciously expended. E. H. Morlan, the candidate for Town Marshal, was a brave soldier in time of warand a good citizen in time of peace. A true Republican at all times and never before a candidate for office. He is a remarkably active and industrious man, has plenty of judgment to know what to do and plenty of grit and energy to do it. Without any disparagement to his predecessors in office, we can truly say that it is our full and firm belief that the town never had a better Marshal, in all respects, than it will have in Mr. Morlan.

Michigan has now joined the cola mu of high license states. Some years ago itunade a thorough trial of prohibition and found that all it did was to increase the sale of bad liquor, to lower the character of those in the traffic, and—because drinking was forbidden — to make these drink who would not otherwise have thought of doing so. The High License bill which has just been sent to the Governor for his signature requires saloons to pay at least s6ooa year. This is not up to the thousand dollar minimum toward which all are tending, but it is a small improvement on the $250 provision of the Indiana law. In order that the saloon-keepers having taken out so high a license shall be protected against un taxed competition, druggists are forbidden to sell liquor except upon a written application, which must be recorded ia a unblic book. They are also forbidden to blend or mingle whisky, brandy or other spirituous liquors with soda water without paying the SSOO tax. “Soda with a stick in it” is to be taxed in Michigan. The bill also has a provision that no screens, partitions, curtains, stained glass or other devices, wherewith it is customary to hide a bar from the sight of persons passing on the sidewalk, street or road, shall be Allowed. A man is permitted to

- ——- ,■ drink, but he must do it openly,j and if his employer or the women folks of his family chance to-be going by they must hot be kept from seeing what he is doing. It was impossible to pass the bill J with an emergency clause, owing to the bitter opposition in the Lower House, so that the present law which licenses rates of S3OO will rule till next year. Then the great increase of revenue, the fallihg off in the number of saloons, and the improvement in the character of those that survive will justify tlie action of the Legisla- - tore.

- Last AVvdiicsday luglit Sheriff blue left his coat and vest hanging in the hallways of the sheriff’s residence and someone sneaked in and took from the pocket *of the vest Mr. Blue’s valuable gold watch and chain and costly K. of P. watch guard. The next day Mr. Blue happened to catch sight of a notrious beat and drunkard known as "Pref.” ().- N. Russell, a fellow who was in town for a considerable time several years ago. Mr. Blue at once suspected that Russell was the watch thief, but also concluded that if his suspicions were correct that Russell would have hid the watch some place about town, instead of keeping it on his person. He therefore studied up a plan to induce Russell to start to leave town, thinking that he would possess himself of the watehbefore leaving. The mil by. Ds,. Ritehey who induced Russell to start with him to drive to Wolcott, with a team from Padgitt’s livery. They started out just after dark _ Thursday night, but just as they approached the bridge across the river, Sheriff Blue and Dept Sheriff Powell, who were waiting the opportunity, stepped out and arrested Russell. He was taken into Vanatta’s harness shop and searched. The watch was found in his boot leg and the chain in his drip pocket. He * _ was Piken to the jail and on Saturday 7 waived examination and was held to answer to the circourt, by Squire Morgan. His bail was fixed at 8500 which of course he can not furnish, and will have to remain in jail until the time for trial. His chances for going over the road are very brilliant. He took his arrest and search with the coolness and “sangfroid” of one who was thoroughly familiar with such little incidents.