River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1879-04-24
WIN. SCHovIxLD

| Thenotice given in the churches last
Sunday that there would be another
union temperance meeting in Brack-
ett's Hall in the evening, at which
DR.. Tracy was expected to speak, was
sufficient to fill the hall, showing clear
ly that the interest in the temperance
question is not yet gone. The singers
were present, as usual, and contribut-
ed to the enjoyment of the occasion.
A fter reading of the scripture lesson
by Rev. C. III. Garfield and prayer by
Rev. C. X. Colyer, DR.. Tracy made
one of his characteristic speeches,
| showing no decrease of zeal in his
| chosen work. At the conclusion of the
| lecture Mr.. Colver read the following
petition to the Town Board of Super
visors in regard to the license ques-
ton, which at the close of the meeting
received quite.a number of signatures:
We, the undersigned, residents of River
Falls, respectfully ask your attention to
certain matters pertaining 10 the vel fare of
the town.
Among the considerations iavoring the es-
| tablishing here of the Normal School, not the
| least prominent was the moral character OF
| the place. We hold that due regard for the
| lust expectations OF those who confded so
| much to the honor and uprightness of our
people, requires of us earnest, persistent,
| practical endeavors to maintain good morals;
to repress or exclude from among us, so far
as possible, whatever would tend to endanger
| tba oh ata or safety of the nnniG
We certainly owe it not less to our own cit
| liens that the authorities OF the town shall
not sanction, directly or indirectly. any place
of evil resort; any occupation destI uctlye to
| good morals
1t has become painfully manifest to us, that
the sale of intoxcating drinks as beverage,
is a foe to morality and to general safety;
| danger and harm against which we make
our appeal to you as the appointed guardians
of the towns interests.
We respectfully but earnestly declare our
solemn protest against all official sanction for
| this traffic. We express to you deep regret
| that licenses for it have been already granted
| for the present year. We regard its contin-
uance as violation of eur own personal
! rights an injury to the general welfare oil our
| town and dshonor to all who are involved
! IN the responsibility oftavorIng it,
| From such dishonor and harm, we hold
that any resident whether entitled to vote
or not; any number of residents, whether in
|
| claim protection. We insist, that not even
by legal license, can the selling of intoxicat--
| ing drinks as a beverage. acquire q moral
! right to continue. nuisance legallzed is
nuisance aggravated. 1t becomes an oppres
sion, wrong, to be endured only for the
shortest period within which a remedy can be
| made effectual.
| If, for existing reasons, this liquor traffic
among us must be endured yet for time, we
| still urge our claim, on the broad ground OF
| human rights:
| That no additional license shall be granted;
| That the privileges covered by any existing
| license shall be construed as narrowly as pos
| sible;
| That each seller of intoxicating drinks
shall be carefully held to strict accountability,
and;
| That for the first and least violation of any
| license, that license shall be promptly can.
| celed and not renewed
We cannot doubt, that by such use OF your
authority, you will command the respect and
confidence, and win the gratitude of all who
| wish well to the town.