Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1888-05-24
TEMPERANCE READING.
THE RIGHT PLACE.
4 Problem Difficult Of S0lutIon-A Few
Pertinent, Practical Oues tiOns.

THE RIGHT PLACE.
A Problem Dimcult OF Solutton-A Few
Pertinent. Practical Questions
The right place for saloon is evil
IDENTIFY not an easy matter to deter
mine. Those who have been attempt
ing solution of the problem are met
with even more difficulties than the
judges of Pennsylvania who are now
engaged in searching for honest and
reputable saloon-keepers. The legis-
lators of Minnesota assumed the au-
thority to determine the question by
passing license law which confines
the saloons in cities to certain de-
fined area. But this provision has not
given general satisfaction. particularly
to the unfortunates who live within
the saloon limits. The new license
law in Illinois has clause which for
bids the opening of saloons within two
hundred feet of churches and schools.
In this State, as well as many others,
the license laws contain no provisions
concerning the location of saloons, this
matter being left wholly to the dis
erection of the licensing authorities.
In this city the Excise Commissioners
have exercised their discretionary pow
ers so far as to refuse licenses in some
cases to saloons opened in the inn
mediate neighborhood of churches
and schools and have also at
tempted to draw line of dis
elimination between the localities
where liquor licenses, in their opinion.
might properly be granted and those
where they should he denied. A case
of this kind has recently occurred
which has attracted more than usual
attention. A short time ago a man
applied for 4 license to open drink
ing place on the corner of Fourteenth
street and University place, in the
very heart of the fashionable shopping
district. When the fact of the appli-
cation became known a perfect delugc
of circumstances and petitions from
the business men and property own
ers of the hcighborhood came flowing
in upon the Excise Board. 1t was
represented that the opening of a sa-
loon at that point would be nothing
less than public outrage. Nothing.
it was declared, could be more obnox-
ious and injurious to the reputable
business interests of Fourteenth street
than the establishment of resort for
loafers in that vicinity. Several large
mercantile firms located in the block
where it was proposed to open the sa-
loon declared that if the license was
granted it would practically ruin their
business. In view of this opposition
the Excise Board refused license.
The applicant however. has carried
his case before the courts. demanding
a mandamus compelling the board to
grant his petition.
A case like this is full of suggestion.
1t brings many question to the lips.
The merchants of Fourteenth street
were undoubtedly right in resisting
the opening of new drinking resort
in that quarter, and the reasons urged
against the granting of license were
strong and just. But would it not be
easy to find reasons fully as sound and
and just against the opening of sa-
looms in thousand other places in the
city. Itwould be impossible, of course,
in most cases to back up a remon-
stance against saloon with as much
capital and influence as were brought
t<>h IN hn I, a..
but there are many other things to be
considered in the determination of such
questions besides capita! and influence.
Where is the right place for saloon?
Where is the saloon wanted? If not
the fashionable mercantile establish
ments. what other kinds of business are
likely to be helped by the proximity of
gin-mills? Let some one name them.
Is it the baker, the tailor, the shoe
maker. the butcher, the mil,iner, the
bookseller? Do any of these find it
any particular advantage to their trade
to have grog-seller come and open
shop beside them? What surroundings
are necessary in order to justify the
opening of resorts for lOafers, of
drunkard-mills, of dens for the propa-
CATION of vice and crime? What neigh
borhoods shall be selected for the es-
tablishment of places for the debauch-
ment and ruin of men. for the destruc-
ton of families. for the making of
paupcrs and felons? Which is worse,
to open a saloon within two hundred
feet of church OF school. or to open
one next door to home, in front of Il
home. over :, home or under home?
What is there that should make a grog-
shop stencil in the nostrils of
the public on one street and
sweet-smelling SAVIOR on an
other? What should MAKE it an
ugly blot on the landscape in one
locality and thing OF beauty in
another? Is saloon on Fifth avenue
calculated to do greater harm than
beer dive on Mulberry street? If the
wealthy and the powerful can not en-
dure the presence of the grog-shop.
will they help to thrust them on the
poor and the weak? Are the tene-
ment districts-the homes of those
who are already deep down in poverty.
squalor and m:sery-are these the
proper places to set the saloons? Are
they needed here to help mca live
purer lives. to make happier homes. to
strengthen the weak. to cheer the
downcast. to guide the erring? Who
shall take upon himself the response
bility of declaring where the people