The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1870-01-21
THE QUESTION TO BE SETTLED.

A question of very great Importance
to every citizen of Emporia will shortly
come before us for decision, viz: Will
We grant license for the sale of liquors
For. one, 1 am decidedly opposed to
license law and am very much aston
ished to find temperance people in favor
of such law. They say the drug stores
sell liquor to any and everybody, re-
gardless of prohibition, regardless of
the wishes of majority of the citizens,
regardless of the true principles of citi-
zenship, and without paying anything
into the city treasury.
Now this class of people hold the
balance of power. Their votes will
turn the scale for or against license, and
with them rests the responsibility. Now
will you vote with the free whisky par
ty, and bear the curse and responsibility
of opening half a dozen saloons; or
with the temperance party, and thus
oppose intemperance in all its forms?
Temperance men speak of Respectable
liquor saloons! Such thing is beyond
my comprehension. 1t is one of the
curiosities yet to be seen. The time has
past when the sale of liquor for drink
ing purposes is or can be a respectable
avocation,-no matter whether sold in
saloon or drug store. Granting license
will not hinder the drug stores from
selling il, but will add large number
of saloons, with all their tempting al
lurements to induce people to step in
and drink.
Another argument urged in favor of
the license is, that it would be a source
of profit to the town. Of all the argu-
ments, this is the most inhuman, I'M
christian and devilish. License the sale
of Intoxicating drink for source of
profit! 1t would add to the treasury,
but it would add also to the number of
drunkards, and add to the suffering and
privation of their families. 1t would
add to our treasury, and so it would
to the wealth of the dram seller and
to the poverty of the dram drinker.
1t would add to our treasury, and it
would add rs well to the number of
fights, and to all manner of debasing
scenes upon our streets. License theft,
arson, murder, and crime of all kinds as
well, because it would fill the treasury
of the city. No, no. Refuse to extend
the traffic, and do all we can to get rid
of it where it now exists. 1t is very
poor reasoning that, because we cannot
get rid of it where it now is, we viii
have free whisky. 1t must be admitted
that it is a great wrong. Then why IL
cense that wrong? 1t is sad thing to
have liquor saloon in any town, but it is
/ burning shame and disgrace to license
a low, near doggery, and thus give ii
your appreciation. Thus giving them
the lawful right to entice your sons and
brothers into their dens, and make them
drunkards. Respectable saloons, in
deedi This is the most fearful part OF
the whole business. Young men and
{ boys, who W ould never think of going
into a drug store for liquor, would be
come ffequenters of the saloons. 1t il
, only the confirmed drinkers who go tC
: the drug stores for liquor. Habits o.
! intemperance are never contracted Al
drug stores, but always at saloons.
; Now, TO conclude. If druggists avoid
4 the law, in this mean and cowardly way
5 aud connect with an honorable business