Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1886-05-11
SHALL WE ARBlTaATE7

SHALL WE ARBlTRATE7
A MEMBER of the Citizens League Me-
plies TO the Suggestions or n "BusI-
ness Man.
To tho Press and Ddkota,an.
An article in your issue Of yesterday
on the subject of arbitration, seema to be
written with SO much candor and an
evident desire to accomplish good, that it
calls for some recognition on the part of
the citlzens' league. Any suggestions
by the friends of law and order.
whether they are members of the league
or not will be most gratefully received.
We do not imagine that we know all there
is to be known on this subject, or that We
are too wise to be taught by the fathers,
but we do know that We are banded to-
gether for the purpose of enforcing the
laws against crime; and to that end we
intend to push steadily forward. Now
as to the article of the Business Man.
on the subject of arbitration. Anything
which has "a commercial ring about it
can certainly bs appreciated by the
members of the league, for this is en-
phatically a business mems league. More
than eighty of its members are active
business men in this city and most of
the few names OF professional men
which appear on it's list are property
owners and tax payers, and are doing
business here. 1t is referred to by your
correspondent IS a radical element" in
this city. A single glance at the pub
lished list of names is all the
answer / need make to that
charge. The 'sbusiness man" starts out
by saying that he did not intend to dis
cuss the right and wrong of this ques-
ton but that he would consider 1T from
a commercial standpoint.
This Is exactly what the leag ne does
not propose TO do.
They propose to discuss the right snd
the wrong. They believe that crime is
wrong, that law breakers are. criminals,
and that no community car indulge in
a wholesale violation of wholesale laws,
without great danger to the peace and
we'll. being of its members. It is not o
sudden squirt of enthusiasm by a few
radicals, against the liquor traffic, or any
legalized traffic. 1t is tho mighty
rising of q long suffering and outraged
public, against crime and lawIessness
in our midst. 1t is not a TRADE against
saloon keepers and saloons but is and
will continue to be S overwhelming
Indignation against crime and the
criminal classes. Your 'business man"
who "will not discuss whether it is right
or wrong must have a strange code of
morals by which he conducts their bust
ness. Most business men make a very
clear distinction between right and
wrong, and conduct their bust
ness, and regulate their actions
thereby.
Now the citizens league is
supposed ito be composed of man
whose ideas OF right and wrong are not
commercial quantities. They do
not propose to offer their principles for
sale to the highest bidder, and in this
they confidently believe they have the
support OF the great mass OF business
men In tniu city outside as we'll as in.
side of the league.
Now let us LOOK at the proposed ar
bit1ation. With whom are we expected
to arbitrate? The criminals who sell
liquor to minors could send a repressn-
tatiye, those who violate the Sunday law
could send theirs. The gamblers would
have sheirs, tho brothels keepers would
have theirs, for it IS against all these
that the war ID waged, and then, lest
others should feel left ont, the tramps
should send q representatives, the burg
lars should send one and SO on through
the list. What d "happy family" if would
be.
| fear the DOR representatives of the
league would be voted down and that
the CRIMINALS would fix up matters after
their W hearts desires.
No, dear "business men" we could not
arbitrate. Our legislatures have already
arbltrated on every one of these ques-
tions.
| Its conclusions were wise and expedi.
emit and now let us abide by its
decisions. If the laws against crime are
too stringent, then let criminals give up
their business, or go where the laws are
| more indnlgent. IF the restrictions OF the
laws in regard to liquor selling which
conpel saloon, keepers to close thei,
places OF business between eleven O'Clock
at night and five in the morning. and on
Sunday, and which forbid them from
selling 90 drunkards and minors are OPP,
prsssiye, then let them go into sons
other business and compel the people
byifamishipg them with Thirst to repeaa
ths.Gppfessfys legislation. ~