The State of Kansas presents now a curious condition of affairs and all on account of a woman—Mrs. Carrie Nation. The constitution of the State prohibits the sale of intoxicating liquors as a beverage within the commonwealth, This prohibition is emphasised by statute law. Nevertheless saloons have for years existed most prominently in the large towns and cities and, undisturbed by any opposing public sentiment, the town and city officials have allowed them to conduct their business without molestation, The people became accustomed to the existing conditions and thought of the possibility of a change never occurred to them.
Suddenly Mrs. Carrie Nation came to the front. She is a woman of some sixty years, an ardent believer in the prohibition of liquor, " woman who has said to have suffered from its effects in the ruin of a near relative. Taking a small hatchet one day she proceeded to one of the prominent saloons in the city of Wichita. One blow with the weapon broke the big plate glass window. Before the astounded proprietor and employees had time to make resistance she had invaded the place, swept bottles from. the bar, destroyed the great mirror behind it, broken glasses and hacked the bar itself.
She was arrested and taken to jail. The law was looked up to determine under what provision she should be prosecuted. Tt was found that the law gave 20 pro-
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