The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1879-10-16
THE MECHANICS, SALOON"


We are somewhat paiued, but much
more disgusted, to feel compelled to
state that the Mechanics Fair in this
city il to have the accompaniment Of a
BARN other words, the managers
think their revenues will be Increased
by having a saloon in connection with
their annual exhibition. We have not
heretofore been aware that the prov yince
OF a fair was to display to advantage the
improved style of druukards which the
last decade has brought into view but,
as our experience in running industrial
exhibitions has been s0meN hat limited,
We will defer to the superior knowledge
OF the Board Of Directors Of the Mechan-
les Industrial Association Of Portland
aud most emphatically endorse the eX-
hibition u the effectiveness Of modern
rye and bourbon which We are promised
l for the two weeks OF the fair. We
blame our parents severely for neglect
/ ing our early education. They werS
manifestly wrong in being plain, sub
stantial, sober, industrious country folk,
and living where they could not give us
the advantages which are associated
with the liquor traffic. We very much
fear that we shall not be able TO see the
rare excellence Of the present drunkards
as compared 10 those Of the years that
are gone, aud consequently will not be
able to tell how much quicker modern
| liquor will get mau drunk, or how
much meaner-it will make him. How
ever, We suppose plenty Of persons will
tell Us. We have also heard il mali
ciously rumored that the association has
set aside space for faro and other tempt
ing pastimes, where the modern gentle
man eau show what be don't know
about sporting, and the frat, uity will
make il plain to him. Also, space is to
be allowed for melodeous aud other in
structive entertainments, so we have
heard it whispered. Brother Acton, Of
the AdU0cdte, with the conservatism
characteristic Of ministers, opposes these
little innovations in the manner Of con-
Quoting Mechanics Fairs. or course,
Brother Acton is ofIicious; OF course, he
has DO right TO instruct the persons who
are under his spiritual care not to test
the inebriating qualities Of modern rye;
Of course, he has no right to say that the
respectable people Of the city will be Of
Tended by the saloons, when he knows
that nobody but the respectable portion
OF the city are in favor of it; Of course,
lac has no right to PREJUDICE the liquor to
be sold 10y saying that drunken men
will be offensive 10 ladies aud insult
them, when ne don't know that whisky
on tap at the Fair will make the drink
ers drunk; Of course, he has no right to
suspect that the whisky which will be
on exhibition will be like other whisky;
Of course, he has no right to think that
the temperance people will stay away.
as they have been invited TO do If they
don't like it'-but the obstinate min
lister, just because he is a minister, caps
all the preceding efIroniery mentioned
by saying that no person OF moral
character with the backbone OF I'll
oyster" will go near the ground. Our
worthy brother is going little too fast.
He is about to interfere with the sacred
rights OF men to do as they please,
whether they offend anybody else or
not. He knows very well that 1t is
none Of his bu,iness whethera mau gets
drunk ahd insults women or MOTT is
only the mans business. He is foolish
TO think that ladies will stay away from
the saloon. What do they care? They
will turn out in full force, aud the So
ciety will haves such an elegant drunk as
has not been thought Of. BY all means,
let Us have the saloon-iozens OF them,
il necessary, 10 get judgment on modern
whisky. And also let Us have plenty Of
faro-rooms aud JagHios. Il is wrong to
crowd out the two latter species Of
amusements while according the free
dom OF the fair to alcohol.