The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1881-03-11
THE QUESTION OF PROHI-
BTTTON.


BTTTON.
The question of prohibiting the liquor
traffic by law is greatly agitating the
public mind. A very large number of
petitions in favor of prohibitory law
have been presented to the legislature
during the present session, and each
week witnesses the presentation of
others.
The question arises; Is the passage
Of such measure the wisest thing that
can be done under the circumstances !?
It is difficult question to answer. It
is evident there are places where pro-
hibitory law could not be enforced
No one would expect to enforce it in
the city of Milwaukee; very large
majority Of her citizens favor the liquor
traffic and are habitual to the drinking
customs Of the day; they would hon
estly feel that their private rights were
menaced by such law.
Tt would seem difficult, If not impos-
sible, to enforce prohibitory law in
Kenosha; too large number Of her
people are in the habit Of using liquor,
and there are too many interests con-
nected with the liquor traffic to admit
of it's enforcement. Many other cities
are similarly situated.
What would be the effect of a prohib-
itory law in such cities as Racine, Mill
waukee and Kenosha? The license, Of
course, would be abolished, and in SO
far as that is q restriction on the traffic,
it would be removed; the result would
be larger number would engage in
the business. Those who would hon.
estly feel that their private rights were
interfered with. and those are number.
ed by thousands, would take the oppor-
tunity to show their contempt Of the
law by violating it on every possible
occasion; more liquor would be sold
and drank, with corresponding in-
crease of crime and misery, than is un-
der the license law. If it is possible
and probable that q prohibitory law
could be enforced--if the liquor traffic
could be largely abolished or made pos
sible in only surreptitious and dark
ways, 1t should be done, and that quick
ly. The people have an undoubted
right to protect themselves against the
crime, poverty, suffering and conse-
quent taxation that come from the
liquor traffic by law prohibiting it.
Their right to do this is just as potent
as their right to restrict it by license
law. But in this as in other matters
of government the majority will gov
ern. And even If there were clear
majority in favor of this measure, they
would find it very difficult, and, in fact,
impossible in this case TO enforce the
law on minority nearly as large as
themselves. A prohibitory law, now.
would be but a failure, and would be
more than likely to prove serious OBJ
stacle in the way of the temperance
reform. The friends of temperance
have great work to do in creating a
stronger and wider public sentiment
in favor of total abstinence and re.
strictive legislation before they invoke
prohibitory law. In Kenosha there
should be cultivated public sentiment
that will demand a higher license fee
making it large enough to still further
restrict the number who engage in the
liquor business. This, and other mu.
nicipal regulations for restricting the
traffic, and the enforcement of laws
now on our statute books regulating it
should enter largely into the coming
elections. Here is a case in which the
friends of temperance should not allow
party politics to enter. Temperance
men should unite in selecting candi.
dates and voting for men who are In
favor of rigorous enforcement of the
laws and regulations for governing and
restricting the liquor traffic. Is it not
time for the temperance men and wo.
men Of Kenosha (for the women can
use their influence if they cannot now
votel to make direct issue with the
friends Of the liquor traffic? Select
men for Mayor and Marshal whom you
can depend on to vigorously enforce
your municipal regulations and all ex-
listing laws for regulating the liquor
traffic. Elect as many aldermen as you
can in favor Of larger license fee and
] Of regulating the traffic, as far az may