Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1874-01-29
The Meeting at the City Hall.

/ Charter thought best after finishing
the business which called them togeth
er, to call the meeting of the citizens
for its adoption on the then coming
| Saturday, rather than wait week a:
was suggested, and voted at the pre-
vious meeting at the City Hall. The rea
son for this action was the determine.
ton of the legislature to receive nc
new business after Feb'y 18th, as the
committee were informed by Senator
Scott. Consequently the meeting was
called, converting last Saturday eve
ming. The attendance was large; one
or two radical changes in the charter
touching the lisence question, and the
School Law, probably causing many to
turn out who otherwise would have re-
manned at home. The Report of the
: Committee embracing the principal fea-
lures of the proposed amendment was
read and adopted. The amendment
relating to the license question in the
granting of power to the City Council
to place the license for selling intoxi-
eating liquors, at not less than twenty,
nor more than five hundred dollars, in
lieu of one hundred dollars as hereto
fore, caused some discussion and
Mr.. Roche proposed to amend by sub
stituting the old figures. A vote was
taken, the amendment being lost, and
so decided by the Chair. However,
some dissatisfaction was expressed,
whereupon division Of the house was
made, the result being the same with
a large preponderance of votes in the
negative 1t was then voted that the
committee be instructed to forward the
bill to Senator Scott for presentation
to the Legislature, after which the
meeting adjourned.
At the meeting, and since the ad-
iournment a bitter feeling has been
manifested by many of those represent
ing the Liquor interest towards those
who were instrumental in measure in
producing the results before stated,
Let it be distinctly understood that
not one Of those opposing the amend
ment submitted by Mr.. Roche is MAX
ing war against the men who are ven
doris Of liquors, but upon the traffic
which is blighting our city and filing
graves with corpses of drunkards and
famished wives and children. There
are several men in our city, vendors of
liquor for whom we have the highest
regard, as do very many of our citizens
and for whom outside the hateful traffic
they are engaged in, the people admire
for their many excellent qualities.
But there is principle at stake,
and in defence of that principle we are
fighting, and we claim that the action
Of the meeting last Saturday evening,
so decisive and so determined, will have
a powerful influence for good abroad,
and the name of our city will not now
be made a by word and a reproach,
but rather that good men, men With
capital who love order and right So
ciety viii take courage, and be more
ready to settle among us now, than If,
the meeting had been controlled by. and
made subservient to, the whiskey ring
Many argue that the increase of lie
ense will make q monopoly, and that
one or two will have the money to do
with and thereby control the business.
Very we'll, nor we are in favor Of mo-
nopoIy. If we can reduce the num-
Der saloons, We dont't care how it is
done, better one hell than a dozen.
1t is claimed by many; too, that there
should be either entire prohibition or
the free sale Of liquor as of any other
commodity. This is very rational
Way of looking at the matter which we
think is destined to become the next
great question to be considered by our
Legislatures and National Congress
We are for prohibitionj but until this
can be brought about let US control the
if we cannot annihilate him.
We know our people have perfect
goodwill toward every man who is sell
ing Intoxicating liquors, but the record
Of the past year tells US that something
must be done for the protection of cur
fellows our brothers. The graves of
the Fosters and the Murrays
blasted lives of scores of our citizens
cry out for speedy curtailment Of the
growing evil, hence the action of the
meeting last Saturday, which betokens
a brighter, and a more prosperous fu-
5ure. There are honorable yocations
n waiting for honorable men, and those
who are clothed with dishonor can