Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-10-08
THE SALOON IN POLITICS.
A Demornlizing and DfsgrncefuI
Agency In American Poiiti-
cal Life.


What have the seven thousand saloons
of New York city done for her? They
have fastened upon her citizens the
most Shamefully corrupt government
ever endured by community indulg-
ing in the illusion that it was free; they
have almost made it impossible for an
honest, educated man to touch local
politics, much less take Office; they
have degraded the conduct of public
affairs To their own low level; they
have brutallized every Institution they
have had to do with; they have per-
verified and spo led the democratic syS-
tenn, making Il Kissing and a rcproach
of American cit zenship and the suf-
fragc, establishing poi teal Shambles,
panderng TO the worst wees of the
worst classes. q filing everything de-
cent and pure with theirr.bald >colling
and produ ing ut intervals. rs proof or
their qualli,. tendencies, and power
such aDominablc scandals rs that of thu
lwcc ring. or the more recent sale OF
votes in the board of aldermen But
evil as are the results of tn cOmbn-
alton between the saloon an the poll
tlClanS, il is not Just To hOid the latter
responsible for all the IN sch Of they
cause In truth. they are the result OF
condition, winch could not pro luce
an, thing better. and it l. unreasonable
to blame the product while refuS ng to
interfere with the generating agencies.
The saloon IS an arrangement for the
maintenance and propa CATION of the
worst vice with which human ~ Is
afflicted. vice which destroys every
clcvat NJ influence. k lis shame, man
hood, ambit on family affection, nonor,
al that makes lie worth living; Il vice
which foster, brutality, elf-ndulgence,
and all the tram of ignoblc and de-
grading passions and incInations.
Now, the purpose and intent Of the
saloon beng what it is, the develop
mcuts noted are simply what ought to
have been expected when 50 large n
share in the goNcrnm mt OF the country
was permitted TO be seized by this sim
lister agency The American stem of
government is theoretically sound.
The means OF education are acc esSlb,e
, to all. But when our ch idrcn have
! passed through the public schools and
entered INTO public life. if they wish to
take part in public affairs they must
! descend TO the saloon Tor instruct on in
pol tics, and in the same institution the
for IGN INN grants must graduate be-
! fore they can cXercis, the right of citi-
| nship. these are our political
schools, in fact, and they give tone to
| our pol tics, city, state, and national.
/ The candidate for Office finds it ind s.
1 pensable 10 make himself solid with
/ the rum power. H. must buy the ia
vor of the Saloon-keepcrs. He must
! frequent these places and fatter the
vanity of those who gather there.
! Through them H. must obtain the votes
of the idle, the vicious, the criminal
classes. He must become familiar with
all the ward ''str kers" and loafers
He must be represented at the caucuscs,
which are always held where drink
Il oundS He must defer TO the views
| of men OF the loves intelligence He
must subscribe to platforms drawn up
/ by demorogucS and time servers. Is It
any wonder that scf->u>prc,ing men so
often shrink from these ordeals. and
/ prefer the obscurity of private life to a
! pc it.cai career demanding such sacri-
lice and such dcDa,cment? --l;laafic
! NOVhkV