The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1885-08-14
TWO METHODS--LTCENSE AND
PROHIBITION

Both of these methods aim at the
same end, and it is only a question
which is most practicable. Both re-
gard the use of intoxicating drinks as
beverage an unmitigated evil, and
the friends of both are equally de-
sirous for the suppression Of the traffic.
The laws regulating the sale were
never designed to encourage the traffic,
but intended to restrain the indiscrim-
mate sale. Nor were these laws de-
signed primarily for the raising of a
revenue, that being only incidental
Those persons who suppose that in.
telligent temperance men who favor
high license believe that to be a fnality
and it's success the contamination OF
the temperance reform, are wholly
mistaken. The advocates Of high
license believe that to be the most
practical method for securing the best
results. until the people are ready fol-
something more effective. That the
people are not yet prepared for the en-
forcement of prohibition, except in
particular localities, is proven from
the fact that they do not avail them
selves of the present laws ON the stat,
ute book, which give the legal power
to prohibit the traffic. Any town
or city has the power to elect a
board opposed to the granting OF
licenses; in which case, if there be nc
licenses granted, any person in such
town or city selling spurious liquors
without license is liable to the penalties
of the law for every violation. /,
The right to sell Intoxicating liquors
was once the privilege of ali, but it il
not true that licensing to sell was
intended to make the business respect
able. The legislation of the past has
been not to encourage, but to restrain
the evils of drinking intoxicants. The
laws of every state have been designed
to place restriction ON the traffic. IT
is mista Ike to say that licensing rem.
ders the thing licensed respectable
The imposing of a tax on dogs for the
protection Of sheep, or for the license
to keep dog, is not intended to en-
courage the raising of dogs, Or make the
business of keeping dogs more respect.
able. It is only restraining the run
ming at large of these animals, and the
avoidance of mischief. 1t has been
well remarked, cit is important that
we make a wise use of the laws we
have for the suppression of intemper-
ance. until the people are prepared to
substitute for them such as there is
reasonable hope will be obeyed." A
singular class of reformers strive to
lead the people into ways Of unwisdom
in their zeal for prohibition. they re-
fuse to listen to measures for the
abatement of intemperance, but insist
on prohibition or nothing. They man
ifest no particular interest in the en-
forcement of our present laws for the
protection of society. Some Of them
have declared in favor of the repeal of
all laws relating to the sale and traffic,
declaring that they legalize crime.
Could the men of this class have rule.
it is easy to perceive the consequences.
If gigantic evil cannot be annihilated
at single blow, then let it remain.
If hostile enemy cannot be conquered
in one decisive battle, then remove all
barriers and give the enemy full sway.
The examples of past history, where d
people have struggled long and endured
much before achieving victory, are
unheeded by those would-be reformers.
Prohibitory laws do prohibit when
the people are ready for prohibition.
License laws prohibit where the people
are really in earnest to have prohibit
ton. That the prohibitory law in
Iowa, where it is tested, does really
prohibit, is an open question, so far as
to the state in general; but
that il is a success in any locality
where liquor drinking would not have
been suppressed under the former law
Of the state does not positively appear.