The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1882-08-17

In the language Of the old song, "The
temperance folks are crowding awfully."
The question as to whether the govern
ment shall be given over 70 the DONNA
tion OF whisky dealers, or be conducted
on the principles of law and order, de-
cency and sobriety, Is forcing itself to
the front everywhere. The friends OF
temperance are accepting the issue made
by the liquor interest, and are preparing
for battle. There was no uncertain
sound or fsltering in the Republican
state convention in Kansas last week.
In Ohio the issue of the campaign Is de-
clared by Governor Foster to be tree
whisky and Sabbath dissertation on one
side and taxation of the whisky business
and Sabbath closing of the saloons on
the other. The governor takes a bold
and manly position for what he consid-
ers right, and he is sustained by the
leading Republican papers of that state.
The liquor dealers, in their late conven
ton at Cincinnati, proposed to set them
selves above all law, and this action has
aroused the country. In an interview
with a press representative, Governor
Foster said:
1.-THE indications all point to the fact
that these questions are to become very
prominent. Even if we were disposed
TO put them in the background we could
not do il. have never known so much
feeling on any public question since |
have been in politics as there is just now
on this one. The attitude of tie brew
ers and liquor dealers is such, in theil
open alliance with the Democratic party
their determination to throw vast sums
of money into the campaign for the pur
pose of defeating the Republican party
IN the interest of free rum against Law
and Order-their open hostility TO the
proper observance of Sunday as a day
| OF rest and recreation-their open de
| fiance of law-their want of respect foI
wholesome usage and tradition-theiI
entire want Of appreciation of the bettel
sentiment of the country and o.
| the welfare of the people, and their in
difference TO the rapid increase o.
drunkenness, misery and crime, all com
bine to show that the people of thu
state will be compelled to encounter /
liquor dealers rebellion.
ut is a question with them of self
interest against the peace, the order an(
the good of society. According to theii
own statement thirty millions of dollar!
are invested in the brewing interest il
the state of Ohio with an annual sale
at retail price, of thirty-five millions o
dollars. 1t is safe to say, when we adj
to this an equal amount for the sales o
other kinds of liquors, that we have ;
total of sales at retail of seventy mill
ions of dollars in single year. OF thi
sum, say one half, or thirty-five millions
of dollars, is net profit. And here WI
find the animus of this rebellion.
@The enforcement of Sunday law!
curtails profits, and hence the howl sen
up in favor of personal liberty. A tai
law would reduce the number of 50
looms at least so per cent thus curtail
ing their sales largely, and hence thei
| opposition to tax law,
"They take no note OF the fact tina
nine tenths of the crime, an equa
amount of the pauperism, and one hal
of the lunacy and idiocy, and the enor
nous expense entailed on the people o
the state for the support and maintenance
of these classes are directly traceabl'
to the liquor traffic. It costs in Ohit
three millions of dollars O yea
| " ulbluldln Jul puDlLC AnolAtuLAOhSy oAS
our poor houses, and to support our on
door paupers. 1t is safe to say that TIVE
and one-half millions of dollars of thi
amount is directly chargeable to the liq
| uor traffic
ave have in Ohio fifteen thousand sa
looms, one for every 225 of our popula
ton, and however wise and good lii
purpose may have been in voting in tn
constitution the clause prohibiting Ii
cense for the sale OF intoxicating liquor
the result has been practically, fire.
trade in the sale. Not family relation
ship, scarcely, in the entire state bu
can count at least one victim to this hoI
rible traffic.
at is probable that the entire sa
loon interests of the state pays les
than 100000 in taxes, while the sam
amount of business in other interest
pays ten times that amount. That it i
| fair that this interest should contribut
equitably to the public revenues is be
yOnd question. That the time has com
when there is an absolute necessity 70
the curtailment of this traffic is equal,
evident to every well informed person
The Republican party stands SQUARED
on this ground, and they will make thei
| fight on it against the saloons"