Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-02-07
CUT IT oFf-snoar Off.

The editor Of this paper has been person
ally criticized by several for his expressed
views Of last week touching the danger and
inexpediency Of the bsck-door whisky
traffic. Some have gone 30 far as to say
there was no foundation for the article
while others have threatened. Not that we
particularly care for the one or fear the
other, we nevertheless like to be perfectly
fair and honorable with our readers. While
we have no personal knowledge of such
places as We described, that they do exist
In this city there is not shadow OF doubt.
The open saloons, in view of the fact that
$4,000 had been pledged on paper, by re-
sponsible men, for prosecution under the
prohibition law, and in view of the public
fact that the District court was to open on
the 9th prox., one and all closed up and all
the leading proprietors left the city. These
facts are known to all. The word then was
given out that all the saloons had closed
and that no more whisky or liquors was to
be had in Wichita. 1t is an equally notori-
Gus fact that on several different days since
the closing OF the open saloons more men
were seen on the streets under the influence
Of liquors than at any time when the open
saloons was in full blast. This was SO fire.
quently remarked upon and commented
upon that no one could have failed to hear
and see. And these men who were thus
befuddlcd were not Of that class who would
be likely to get liquors by express or other
wise from beyond our state line. There
was but one conclusion and that was ire
sistable. There were and is liquors being
ilicitally sold in this city. Against this we
protested, and do protest. Leaving out of
the question the extra hazard and abnormal
danger OF such traffic, to the morals of the
youth. and they are as ten to one when COM
pared to the open saloon, we still protest
against this traffic from q business stand.
point. No business man not directly con-
nected with that trade but viii! acknowledge
that II the open licensed saloon cannot be |
permitted, then the back-door must be |
closed In self-defense. But for whisky |
here would be no need of policemen. But |
Tor whisky the sheriff and constables could |
take care Of all disturbers Of the peace and |
'io!ators Of law. Now, IL the revenue,
which has heretofore been collected of of
whisky to pay policemen to take care Of
whisky victims is cut of, then, logically
md inevitably, must the unauthorized and
unlicensed sale Of liquors be cut of, other
wise use force law-abiding business men to
20 down into their pockets for money to
pay policemen to watch and take care of an
and an unlawful traffic and
Is deyotees and slaves. Is anybody big
'nough fool to think, that we. with thou
and other business men Of this city, are
'oing down into our bread and butter
money for the wages Of a lot of policemen
whose municipal business will be to pro-
ect Illicit whisky dealers and to pick I'D
nd run of to the cooler another class of
itizens, who but for the whisky shops
you'd have more beefsteak upon their
ables, more clothes upon their children's
acks, and more smiles upon their wife's
ace! Not much. Whisky saloons run in
pen defiance oflaw, but by responsible men
Tho come down with their monthly cash to
clip bear the expenses, is bad enough, but
ack-door, cellar slums, and sneaking devil
heels cannot flourish in Wichita, and the
wners Of these places will find that we are
OF voicing the will of the prohibitionists,
ut the judgment of the solid business men
the city who have to do the paying when
ne tax collector opens his hooks.