The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-04-09
IOWA.

CEDAR RAPIDS, April S-During the
session OF the Brewers convention yester-
day a challenge from d. L. Duncan of Mt
Pleasant, to any Of the gentlemen compos-
ing the convection to discuss the proposed
prohibitory amendment with him was laid
on the table. The Committee on Organ
izatiop reported a complaint against the
State independent for not encouraging the
circulation of a petition from the brewers
and saloon keepers to the Legislature.
The editor, Col. Eibock, being present
made q satisfactory explanation and this
part of the report was stricken out, The
Committee on Legislation strongly con-
demned the Iowa Legislature for passing
the prohibitory amendment cOmpels
every citizen who loves freedom and who
has any self respect to enter his protest
aud TO give this most determined resist
ance. In view of this action they declare
l. To add to our organic law of the state
police law which ofends the personal
rights OF the cilizans and declares him a
minor and Incapable to lead moral life
Is to brand the republic of Iowa with a
mark of disgrace and to expose it to the
obloQuy and laughter of the world, 2
That temperance and morality cannot be
secured by such means PrJhibitory laws
have always promoted intem perance and
disrespect of law. Prohibitory laws are a
serious detriment to the interests of the
people a repeal of the wine aud beer
clause would destroy millions of property
and ruin large class of business men,
throw thousands of laborers out Of employ
ment. and expose their families to suffer
ing and want. aud would check agricul-
ture and seriously affect the home market;
would throw back upon the people the
taxes which brewers pay. and
would increase the importation of
foreign liquors. f. That science has
recognized beer as not only harmless
but healthy aud Bourishing, and expert
enee has taught that it promotes
temperance by diminishing the use OF
stronger beverage. Therefore. it is clear
than the objects of the Prohibitionists
are now what they pretend, but that
they are directed against the ipdepeD-
dence of the church and the pulpit, which
is especially represented by the immi-
grants coming here. That a state with
prohibitory law cannot secure European
immigration, and should encourage such
immigration until Iowa has freed herself
from the prohibitory laws g. That the
Prohibitoionists having united in strong
organization must be formed to appose
it. We regard the question of personal
liberty no national, political question, but
a social one affecting only the individual
rights of citizens, and therefor we appeal
10 liberal citizens. irrespective of party
We will not vote at the state:
county and local elections for any candi-
date who does not declare himself an
opponent of all prohiditory laws and
measurer, aud we will labor to elect only
such men to Office who SO declares them
selves. To this end We will from local
organizations. to be. governed by central
committee consisting of five members
including the the President and Secre-
tary of the association.
Henry Koehler, of Davenport was re-
elected President: John North. of Daven-
port Secretary: NJ Ffahm. of Davenport
Treaurer. The association adjourned to
meet at Dubuque 10 April, 1881.