Daily Iowa State Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1859, 1858-05-20
Temperance Movements-M Meeting ofthe
City Temperance Socitry.

Pursuant to call the Davenport Temper
ance Society convened at the Congregation
al Church. on Fifth street on Tuesday even
ing The President of TIE society being
opened the meeting with prayer. Mr.. Col
lins then stated that q committee Of three
consisting Of Dr Witherwax, Mr.. Reid and
Mr.. Alyord had been appointed.by pre-
vious meeting to circulate n petition and
that this meeting had convened at the call
of this committee. Mr. Hiram a. Reid, be-
ing the only member of the committee pres
cnt, then came forward with "a bundle OF
papers III his hand and read from one o;
them the following words:
"Tur UNDERSIGNED, residents of the City of
Davenport, having abundant evidence that
the sale Of Intoxicating Liquors in our
midst, is a iru tful source OF irnmoralIty and
crime, and Is in direct and open violation of
Law and believing it to he the imperative
duty Of all good citizens to uphold and abey
the Laws OF the Land, wolld urge all per
sons illegally engaged in the Liquor Traffic,
to abandon it peaceahly aud at once
They would further express their convic-
ton, that the citizens have a n right TO look
TO the Peace Officers for "a faithful execution
of the Laws rs they now exist, so that the
pernicious influence Of the Saloon and the
Dram Shop may at once be abated.
These papers, he said, had been circulat-
ed through the city by the COMMITTEES. DR..
Witherwax had, he was informed, procured
about $50 names and he had procured, Gas
near as we could count) about $50. The
paper Of DR.. Witherwax, about two yards
in lenght and filed with names, was then
brought forward by a gentleman. (Ap.
plau7e.) After which Dir. Reid continued.
The number of names, on tins paper was
not stated by the DIR, and he. could not tell
how many there were without counting
Mr.. Coilins-'I suggest, that is, he mensur-
ed by the yari'-l.aughter, Mr. Reid
again continued. The plan OF the commit
tee was to have this paper with the names
of the signers printed and left at the saloon
Of every rum seller in the city asking them
to discontinue the traffic and afterwards, If
they refused to co mply with the request to
compel them to discontinue the business
Mr, Collins then arose and made a motion
that the petitions be printed in accordance
with the view of tho committee. The Pres
ident then put the Question to the meeting
but was interrupted by some one in the au-
dience who wanted to hear some one speak
on the motion. MI Reid then made few
remarks in favor Of the motion. A strnng.
er then arose and asked that the motion be
re-stated-while being done by Mr.. Collins,
he proceeded. Hid was stranger in the
state, but he was Informed that we had
law providing for leach, siazure and contis-
cation. lie did ndt believe in soft sawder.
Let a man come into this city and sell flour
to A, b and c, all respectable, quiet, order
ly citizens, and then the next day let the
president go out, A, staggering along the
street, b, chasing his wife out of the house
with butcher knife and c, lying in the
gutter with his face broiling in the SUM-
The chair would then think that there was
something wrong in the city, something
wrong in the Hour and instead of waiting up
onthe -four seller with kindness they would
wait uponhim flour and all applause. He
believ cd in entorceing the law aionce without
waiting to talk to the liquor dealers. He was
in favor of putting them through on the
fast line. (Applause). Some remarks were
then made by Hiram Price, in favor Of the
resolution which We are compelled, to omit
for want of spacs Mr. Reid then then stat
ed that the committee had already spent
$50. and he wanted it all taken into con-
sideration in the action of the meeting
Another speech was then made by the
stranger, which we are also obliged to
omit Rev. Mr.. Wilson wished to express
one thought which he was assured would
suit the minds of all, and that was to talk
to the dealers first in kind and friendly
way and fast as they go; them ready
then put them trough on the fast line. MIR.
Reid then read some statistics collected by
him in relation to the local traffic. The mo-
ton Of Mr.. Collins was then put and carried.
Alter some further unimportant business
the meeting was dismissed with a Benedic-
ton by Rev Mr. Wertz
New Cabinet WarcrOOpn.