The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1885-07-15
A Saloon or a Factory?

A statement is going the rounds of the
newspapers, that Col. f. Richardson has
| proposed to establish a cotton mill In
Jackson, provided that be can be assur-
red that the bar-rooms will be effectually
and permanently closed.
We do not know that the statement is
true; indeed, newspapers not over
| friendly 10 the temperance cause, have
already pronounced it a prohibition
candrd. The simple rUmor, however,
whether founded on fact or not, is
vastly suggestive. 1t intimates that
whisky saloons and cotton factories, by
public estimation, do not indicate a
very harmonious aeighborhood Where
steady work, and regular work is de-
manded-work which cannot survive
the interruption of a spree, nor be
properly done by shaky hand or
muddled brain-it is well understood
| that convenient whisky privileges are
hurtful.
The charter of the Mississippi Mills
at Wesson provides that no intoxicating
liquors shall be sold within the corpo-
rate limits. Over these mills presides
the same cotton king who is reported as
desirous of establishing factory here
His unrivaled business qualifications
are well known and the success of his
factory is clearly shown by its fabrics
finding their way to all parts of the
world. The sale Of intoxicants is for
hidden at Wesson, not from any puri-
tannical Prohibition sentiment but
simply from that point of view which
takes in the dollars and cents Shrewd
capitalists, long-headed business men,
consider that it makes the investment
of their money safer and more remu-
nerative.
There may be a humane standpoint
in it also. The large majority of oper-
atives in cotton mills are women and
children, even children of tender years.
That these delicate and helpless ones
should be exposed to the corrupting
influences of the saloon as they pass
daily from home to work, is repulsive
to any kindly nature. Innocence and
purity revolt at contiguity with the
dram shop. Hence it may be to protect
these classes, and to invite their labor,
that Prohibition was established.
However, no matter what may have
been the motive, it is quite certain that
managers of such industries as cotton
mills, believe that their interests
thrive better where saloons are not
tolerated If this is so, it might be well
to consider which would be more
profitable to jackson, saloons or cotton
factory which would bring in the most
money; which would afford, Unemployment
to the greatest number; which would do
more toward the happines and elevation
of our people; which would give us a
greater name abroad, and bring us more
in contact with the world beyond which
would provide more homes for the
the people, and give to our growing
Capital City more of the air of thrift
and success? Shall the screens which
shut in traffic, of which both vendors
and vendees seemed to be ashamed, give
place to the open view of busy looms,
where innocent operatives need no protec-
tion from public gaze, no sanction from
majority petitions? Shall we export
clothlor import liquors? Shall we educate
our boys to be spinners or bar-tenders?
Shall we patronize an industry, whose
fabrics clothe and comfort our people, or
uphold traffic which promotes
only poverty and wretchedness? 1t
seems very plain to us that the phil
anthropist, the.utilitarian, yea even the
shrewd money-maker, can have but one
answer to these questions. The earnest,
consistent man, no matter what you may
call him, must see that saloons antago-
nize all the best interests of the people,
whether considered in a financial or
social or moral point of view.