The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1862-05-08
CITY FACTS AND FANCIES
2
TOO MANY OF THEM.

7 would seem that Divine Providence has
become especially enraged against the people of
Junction, and IS showering down lis vengeance
in the shape Of whiskey shops Our young city
IS evidently dey oted to that filthy god, Bacchus
r is humiliating to contemplate the fact that
more whiskev is retaled in this place than in
any other city of It's size in Kansas. In view OF
this glaring fact, and in view of the interests OF
Davis county, it becomes matter Of vital inlior-
lance to the citizens of this community, to take
into serious consideration. No inland town,
dependant as Junction is upon an agricultural
country, can thrive with an incubus of seven
grog shops weighing it down.
1t is an indisputable fact that the farming
interests Of this county are suffering from the
;ndiscriminate and unrestraincd sale of intoxi-
eating liquors. Every dime that leaves the
hand of the farmer and finds its way into the
aiayenous NAV of the liquor seller is detracting
from the growth and prosperity of the county.
Becollect for a moment the fact that many of the
farms in Davis county are burthened with mort
cages, tftentimes bearing high rates of interest.
These mort cages must be paid when due, Or the
land passes into the hands of some Spectator.
OF being devoted to the payment of the mortgage
and interest, is squandered at some of the gro
cerics in Junction City. he is deprived Of the
homestead he has so long labored for and sees
ruin staring him in the face when it is too late
30 save himself.
The contrast presented between different por
lions Of Kansas, in some of which whiskcy can
not be had, and in others where it is nothing but
whiskey, is glaringly apparent. There is prob
ably less whisky sold in Lyon county than in
any other county in the State. Lyon county is
the most wealthy and prosperous agricultural
county in the State. There is more whiskey sold
in Davis county than IN any other county in
Western Kansas and the lighting effects Of this
state Of things upon the industrial interests of
the county are palEable daylight. That it
would be useless to attempt to impress The i'm
portancc Of these facts upon the minds OF those
who engaged il the sale Of Intoxicating
liquors in Junction IS plain enough. That ques-
ton has long since been settled by unanimous
vote in the negative. There is, however, a
certain creature Of the legislature called in
,Segal parlance Q corporation, which is SUPPOSED
to guard the interests of Junction City. 1t is an
cid saying that corporations have no souls. We
are fain e believe chat the members of our city
organization have souls, and that they are desi-
rous, or at least majority Of them, of advancing
The welfare Of this city and vicinity. In view Of
this confidence in city fathers We DO most
respectfully ask the honorable Mayor and board
of Common Council, if it is absolutely necessary
10 grant licenses TO everybody that makes apIli-
cation. We are truly aware Of the delcacy of
Your position We know that it requires a
considerable degree of tirlGness TO refuse the
favor to one man which you bestow on another
but there axe other very important considerations
outside of that principle Of generosity which
jncites Won to be so liberal with vour iiouo,
.icenscs. The pecuniary benefit thai flows to the
city from the sale of these Licenses is nothing
when compared with Inc disadvantages that
spring from SO extended traffic in Intoxicating
liquors. Necessary improvements, that would
be permanent benefit TO Junction and Davis
county, arc kept back by the cold shadow Of the
grog shop. The church and the school-house
are compelled 10 give place to the saloon and
grocery: and the agricultural interests OF the
county languish. We think it about time ouI
City Fathers take these things into consideration
a