Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1886-11-05
ALLAN ia,
Progress OF Prohibition.
Interesting Letter From a Prominent
Resident OF That City.
(From the New ';ra)


ATLANTA, GA, 0ct.. IA, 's6.
r. S. THOMPSON, ED, Era I'm answer
TO your letter OF the 9th, would say, >you
are correctly Informed that the city council
has autho rized the City Brewing Co. to de.
liver beer. The only effect of this action
is To prevent any fine by the city recorder.
The city council has no authority whatever
over the prohibition law as enacted by a
m'jori.y of the people OF Atlanta, and
when the brewery delivers beer in this
county II lays itself liable to prosecution
in the State courts. The action of the cit,,
council has been severely criticised by
many OF our leading citizens.
As to the recent elections, in the prima-
ry election for Senator a pronounced pro-
hibisonist carried this county by major
ily OF 29O over the most vigorous opposi-
tion from ticket headed by some Of the
most popular gentlemen Of this city.
There was queer muddle about the
primary for representatives.. A few days
before the election several gentlemen
who claimed authority, as committee
from general Prohibition meeting, met
and put out a ticket of three candidates
for the legislature. This action was at
once repudiated by many Of the leading
ProlibiIionists OF Atlanta. Scores of them
announced in the public prints that they
would oppore the ticket because Of the
manner OF its nomination. Three popular
gentlemen came ont as candidates on their
own responsibility. Both they aud their
friends asked support of the prohibitionists
on the ground that this issue was not in
volyed, that these candidates were in favor
OF letting the law stand until il should
have fair trial, and that these gentlemen
were personally worthy and capable.
In this manner they were elected and
any subsequent statement that this was an
anti-prohihition victory. emanated from
sensational correspondents of papers out
side Atlanta or from few extremists in
the city. The people here understand the
situation.
The majority in favor OF prohibition one
year ago was 240. We then had over 100
bar-rooms in Atlanta, besldes wholesale
and quart houses. Since the frat Of last
July we have had three or four quart
places which sold liquors, but would not
permit them 20 lie drank on the premises,
The last OF these quart licenses will expire
in the next ten days, and then prohibition
will have fair trial in Atlanta.
Nothing can be do,1so disturb the ex-
iSting state OF aff,irs till November, 1887,
when, on petition Of one.tenlh of the
voters Of the county, another election can
he held.
All that the liquor men are now asking
is n modification Of the law that will allow
them TO sell by the quart or a high IT,
cense--ny from 50 900 TO $4,000. hit
were proposed to re-esiablish the old bar
room system none Of the former anii-pro-
hibilion leaders would approve il, and the
town would go dry by at least 900 ma
joriiy.
The present law Ia working finely. and
everybmly IL satisfied except those directly
Interested in the liquor business, am
confident that the law will stand as il IL
for n long time To come. Il has diminish
e'l whi-key drinking wonderfully. and has
improved the general behavior OF the peo-
pie.
Our bnsines- j. greater than il ever was
before. Manufactures are on bigger
boom than ever before, and the pro.pecis
OF the city were never 40 good. II.
Onr correspondent inclOsed an interview
with Mr.. George Traley, one of Atlantis =
prominent business men, published in the
Constitution, from which we make the fol-
lowing extract:
Were you prohibitionisi 2"
81 was not but am one now. Through
friendship for certain parties | did not vote.
have been made one by the improvement
that even partial prohibition has given At
lanin. Instead oi hurting the city. the
l'eneft II has done IL cannot be measured
IN dollare and cents. have made invesii.
gaiion in every part Of the city, and Cox &
Redd and Captain keely are the only men
have met yet who do not Ray their bDsi-
meas ia improved by prohibition. MIR.
Merritt, the grocer, told ME OF mHn near
him who had grocery store and bar
room in the same building. His grocery
| sales now anniint 10 more thHn bOih TIE
grocery aud saloon did. Where n custom
er bought len cents worth Of beer lie now
buys ham, and where lie bought neither
coffee or sugar lie NOW buys both. Capt
w. ID. Grant. WHO did not vote Tor prohi-
bition, is now Its strongest advocate. lie
is the largest property owner in the city
and his rents show HIM that prohibition is
a business success"
"You seem 10 be strong prohibitionisI
now 2"
al am. wish an election conld he ord
cred tomorrow that woull settle II for tel
years. Yonr manufacturers ASSOCIATION il
at work trying " build up our industries
Atlanta must prosper by new shops and
factories. Suppose you could assure q
capitalist who wns thinking OF putting NJ
n factory here that prohibition was perm.
aneni 7 Don't you know that would b'
the biggest inducemeDt you could offer
Prohibition means sober workingmsn
Sober workingmen mean prosperous
workingmen who buy homes, and ihs
means steady intelligent labor, wiIhou
strikes or disordeTA.