Ashtabula weekly telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1880-1886, 1880-10-08
THE CITIZENS LEAGUE OF CHICAGO

A correspondent Of the Lever writes to
that paper as follows, from Chicago: Six
reliable men, well known to me, we're ap-
pointed to count the number who went in
six saloons, between seven and twelve
o'clock p. m, on the night OF October 4th,
last, with the following result: 1l,6OS
men and boys, and 1907 girls; or 12,6l5
by count: but at ten o'clock serious light
occurred in the largest Of the saloons, and
the count had to be relnqushed. Most Of
those who counted said the number was
really much above the count as many were
unayoidably not counted. This attend
ance was not unusual. A week later, in
company with two gentlemen, we drove
an hour after midnight, and found sixty
saloons open and doing business as IN day
time. although contrary to ordinance
The Citizens League, for the suppression
Of the sale Of liquors to minors, with
petition signed by 1,40O citizens, asked
the mayor to revoke the licenses OF these
places. -Four have been revoked one
known as the "Paciic Garden" corner
Clark and Van Buren streets, was sold to
Col. Clark, who opened the place as 'The
Pacific Garden Mission" where Gospel
temperance meetings are held every even
ing, except Wednesday, with most excel
lent results. A reading-room and employ
ment Office is connected with it. Meal and
bed tickets are given to many in need.
Allow me to say, during the past two
years the Citizens League have prosecuted
about 45O saloon keepers; Of this number
about $50 we're convicted and POO obliged
to remove or 90 into other business; 400
to 500 homes have been visited, and nearly
as many broken-hearted mothers have been
seen.
The attention Of the city authorities, the
State legislature, and the public, has been
called to the great evil Of selling liquor to
minors, the results Of which are physical
injury, intemperance, need and crime
When this League was organized, 1t was
estimated that 3d. 600 minors were patrons
Of the saloons in the city; and although
the laws Ct the State prohibit the sale OF
liquor to minors, also the playing OF all
games in saloons 10y minors, they were not
enforced until the organizing OF the League
although on the statute book for years.
Criminal arrests Of minors in 1873 were
141S less than in 1877, and we believe are
much less in 1870, although we have not
the statistics Of the police courts for 1879,
vet we are well satisfied that If the laws OF
the States regarding the sale OF liquor TO
the young were enforced our bridewells,
poorhouses, jai,s and penitentaries, would
soon indicate the most gratifying results.
We believe that at least two-thirds OF the
minors, who formerly were patrons of'the
saloon, are now restrained through the ef-
forts and influence Of the League.
We had 10, 45S saloons in Illinois in 1873,
probably more now, IL we estimate the re,
ceipts at $40 per day for each saloon, and
for six days in the week, we have nearly
$52, 600, 900 as the total receipts for the
saloons OF the State; fabulous sum in
deed. In this city there are 5000 saloons,
which sell seven days in the week; and at
$40 per day as the receipts Of each, we
haye over 81 900, 600 spent in the saloons
of this city during the year, while the city
receives only $3.50 100 from liquor licenses,
less the cost Of collection.
Since the organization Of the League
the saloon-keepers have formed an organi'
zation which meets regularly, and there
will probably be State organization soon
to combat the efforts Of all temperance or
ganizations. What do you think will be
the result Of the contest, with intemper-
ance, crime, pauperism and misery on one
side, and truth, Righteousness, humanity
and God on the other?