The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1880-10-21


but in our Judgment the sooner they
reach it the better. A good proper
ton Of the people Of the State are al
ready on it, and fair proposition
would receive a large vote. The
liquor forces see the drift. and are or
ganiz;ng their forces to defeat it. a
late number of the Tennessee Good
Tenlplar contains the following circular
by the liquor dealers of Nashville,
which seems intended as confidential
and not for publication:
NASHVILLE, August; 1880.
Dear Strive beg to call atten-
ton to the Importance Of cooperation
among Liquor Dealers throughout the
State, to secure, if possible, such rep
resentation in the next Legislature as
viii not be hostile to their interests.
The indications are that a determined
effort will be made to secure the pas
sage Of Local Option and prohibition
Laws, and to repeat in the State the
folly and failure of sumptuary legisla-
ton which has in the past, wherever
tried, been productive Of no substan-
tial or moral good, bat has only har-
assed the many and destroyed their
material interests without benefit to the
few Tor whose reformation the laws
were passed. If you will give your
attention TO it. you can elect men to
the Legislature who are not in favor
Of fanatical experiments to interfere
with a traffic in which is invested so
much capital and which is the chief
source of revenue to our State. We
suggest that you consult with Liquor
Dealers and friends in your county,
and endeavor 20 send fair men to the
next General assembly, who are prac-
teal and reasonable and not disposed
to set on foot q code of laws to make
criminals Of yourselves and Others en-
gagged in the liquor traffic, and destroy
the business in the absurd and ever
falling attempt to eradicate the evils of
drunkenness by Law.
"RespectfulIy;
'LIQUoR DEALEns Assn OF NASH
VILE.
'This communication is confden-
tial and for your own advisement, and
is not intended for publication.
The simple proposition is that liq-
nor dealers sec to it that men of their
sort be sent to the Legislature who
| will favor their interests and traffic.
They speak of it rs the chief source
of crime, poverty, misery, and taxa
ton. This was demonstrated by in
disputable figures by Judge Hum,
phreys before a committee Of the las;
| Legislature. Fifteen cents viii place
l a copy of his demonstration in the
hands of any candidate or member ot
the next Legislature.
# the traffic is the good thing they
would have US believe, Why are the
dealers so opposed to the proposition
to allow the people to decide whether
they want it or not? Would it be al
unfair or an unreasonable thing fol-
the representatives, Of the people t.
respect the petitions of so many thou
sands as were presented TO our las
Legislature Have not the people :
: right to voice in so grave Il matte
as well as these liquor dealers VIII,
propose to select the men and see tha
. they are elected to fasten upon tn
= State a traffic that produces NOR
, crime, poverty, and taxation thai
+ anything else?
The license system favors the liq
10 u0r interests, and dealers ask nothin
: better. 1t gives protection to an evi
, that is destructive to every interest
: and in the eyes of the law put on
II level with honorable pursuits. Bu
,s the liquor dealer gives no equiva!en
+. for the money of his patrons as doc
: the Merchant, the grocer. and mechar
~ ic. The more the saloon is patronize
the poorer the patrons become, an
n thousands every year go down
ia drunkards graves, Impoverished an
81 ruined by these liquor dealers, wi
Or wish to decide for the people as to wi
IF shall be put in Office over US. Al
the sober, Christian citizens of Te
,r nessee and other States ready f
or this?
.y From the above article, it will
ba seen that there is organized effort
,ls foot to elect men To the Legislasur
10 who may be 50 far forgetful of Il
true and vital interests Of the Stat
he as to attempt the repeal of the La,
he which has brought sweet peace, hol
,o and comfort I, thousands of heart
We stones which has done so much
lift the dire and appalling scourge
intemperance from the face Of Il
beautiful land and which IS cherish
in the hearts Of the people, as t
ace most precious boon that iegislati
tho has ever secured to them.
n. Those who desire to see this beni
oc law hold its place on the statute boz
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