Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1877-11-23


made virtue of necessity and surren-
dered at discretion, not, however, until
each had been mulcted in $40 fine and
costs on their first suit. Their licences
to sell beer and wine were forfeited I'M
der the ordinance, but on condition
that they would peaceably give them
up and close their drinking places,
further prosecutions against them were
suspended. Every saloon in town ex-
cept John Till's, Mike Unger's-who
have not broken the law and were not
prosecuted-and A. Gately's, have ac-
cepted these terms, and their bars are
desolate Gately is absent but will
comply when he returns. The saloons
that have relinquished their licenses into
the hands of the Mayor, and quit the
business, are G. W. Sturtevant, F. & j.
Delaney, Jacob MANI, A. Reisner, j.
Brownies, Johu Ransier and Liz Sic
vert, eight including Gately
In this direction the raid has been a
more complete success than even the
promoters dared to hope for. The
places from which proceeded the great
err part of the misery and Generalization
of the community are sealed up, and
for a season, at least,-permanently it
we will tive will have town without
whiskey as it's most prosperous and
flourishing line of business.
And now concerning the other branch
es of these prosecutions. 1t has not
been the intention Of those having them
in charge to proceed with severity
against the druggists, if the latter would
show a reasonable spirit. They have
realized the difficulties that beset this
class of dealers in complying with the
law and their Inability to imposition ev-
en- when trying to keep the traffic within
legitimate bounds, and have only sought
to obtain guaranty that for the future
they would live up to the spirit OF the
statute against the illegal sale Of spirit
uous liquors. The action commenced
against two of the druggists for nui-
sance, about which there has been so
much talk, were really the result of
blunder by somebody, and though we
are not in position to speak by author
ity, we presume will not be pushed.
The suits for the confscation Of the
liquors of the druggists have been con-
tinued two weeks. In the meantime,
they have determined to take out per-
mits under the State law, and to hereaf
ter conduct this branch of their bust
ness according to the letter as well as
the spirit Of the law. This is a sensible
move, and to their credit. The probable
ity is, that in the great majority of cases
the offensc of the druggists is careless
ness rather than intent to violate the
law, and if, as now appears, they are de-
termined to exercise greater caution in
the future, the result aimed at may be
accomplished without harsh measures.
Over the already accomplished results
of the effort to put down whisky in our
city, we suppose it is unnecessary to
say that the BULLETIN rejoices greatly.
But our qualification is unmingled with
any desire to crow over or taunt the de-
feated liquor men. 1t is not against
them, but their trade, that the BULLE-
TIN has persistently fought. We feel
like congratulating them upon getting
out of the demoralizing traffic, and we
hope that they may find other occupa-
tons equally profitable and more respec-
table. Some of them have business tai
ents that would give them success in al
most any calling. Let them put them
to use in advancing the interests and
well-being of the community, rather
than making widows and paupers.
To the earnest band Of Temperance
workers, who, amid all sorts of obloquy
and opposition, have held persistently to
their noble purpose to remove the curse
of rum from our city, we can only say,
let the victory you have won inspire you
to vigilance and courage in the future.
The preponderating moral sentiment OF
the community is with you, and will re-
main with you so long as your courage
f.;ls MT Won have scotched the ser
pent, keep watchful guard for any signs
of returning vitality, and stamp it out
on the instant.