National Republican., 1888-02-09
THE CHALLENGE DEcfANED.
No Joint Discussion between the Liquor
Men and the Ladies'

Men and the Ladies'.
The challenge Issued by the Woman's
Christian Temperance Union to the saloon
keepers or their representatives to engage
In joint discussion on the merits Of the
liquor traffic went by default yesterday IN
favor OF the former, since no representative
OF the latter appeared. The meeting was
largely attended by the leading members OF
the union, however, and ho would have
been lucky wight indeed who could get
Off with the last word In q debate with
them.
Mrs. NJ. E. Cohen opened the meeting
with reading of Scripture, and drew
rather gloomy picture OF the present con-
dition OF our fair land from the "stranger
within it's gates" who, she said, WAS
ready to overthrow the nation II not al.
lowed the fullest license In his definition OF
freedom. She wanted It understood that
nothing but love prompted the union and
the women OF the land 10 their warfare
upon what che termed this unholy traffic,
and compared the saloon to net wherein
the unwary and weak were ensnare'.
Mrs La Fetra proclaimed against any
disposition to raise the price of licenses,
because she could see no good to come
from regulating an evil that should be
eradicated.. The women Of America did
not want the money needed to carry on
this great government to be raised by IL
censing the sale OF liquor, and they de-
plored the disposition OF Christians to pal
liate this great evil because OF the money
there was In 1t. Over against the revenue
the women placed their boys, G0,000 Of
whom had gone down to dlsgraced graves
through the immediate effects Of this II.
cense System. "What amount Of money"
she asked, "could compensate for this
yearly draft upon American manhooi2"
At this point che inquired IL there wlsa
representative Of the liquor Interest pres
ent who wished to present his side OF the
question, as they were ready in ali kindness
to listen to him, but no one responded.
She ttated that 1t had come to her kuowl.
edge that spies had attended their meetidgs
with view OF ascertalning their numbers
Mr. Clarke, In response to an invitation,
favored the ladies with his vlews on tho
question, which coincided with the sentl-
ments Of those present.
The debate which ensued took tho gen.
eral form OF deuunciatiOn OF high license,
which the ladies evidently fear as being the
next move on the part of Congress, ana
the president eald that II she had her way
| che would close the top half OF the saloons
the glldcd palaces OF sin-ra,her than tue
| eroegtries, which were the last resort OF
| destroyed souls.
Mrs Foster asked why there was 80 much
| solicitule for the money invested In the
| liquor tnsiness-ss II there was no other
channel Of trade presenting profitable op-
| portuDities.
Mr.. LaFetra suid II was because there
| was an cent profit on o 10 cent dfiulS.
Mrs. Rose pleaded for counter.attractious
| for the boys as an antdote for the allure
ments Of saloons.
Mrs. Nye said that when the saloons
were closed the keepers could make
temporary livelihood by selling the rags
they had made.
Hon. Hiram Price excoriated the adyo.
Gates OF high license and said he would
admit that there was but one side to this
| question; as the temperance people had all
the equities on their side, they should at
least have part Of the law. He had no
fear about the enforcement of prohibltory
| law; In fact, II was no argument against
prohibition that 1t was not enforced. As
well might Moses have omitted all the nots
from the ten commandments, since they
were daily brok en-. No mere raising the
| price Of licenses could lift the question to
moral plane, nor could 1t c6npensate
an outraged people for the injuries Ia
nlcted.
Miss weishtman descanted upon high
license, and asked how much money It
would have taken to dignity the betrayal of
Christ by Judas and render that betrayal
| virtue.
Mrs. Bayard exulted that the representa-
tives OF the liquor traffic had not dared TO
meet them, and said they (the union) had
no occasion to hang their harps on the viii.
low, as their challenge was unheeded.
Mrs. Deane said ehe felt love for the
liquor dealer as a man, and was concerned
for his souls salvation, but the first clause
received but o dubious Endorsement by tne
other ladies.
Mrs. La Fetra felt gratifed because the
enemy was ashamed to appear aud detead
his inquitous practices, but che wanted to
herald The fact that the women were not
afraid to meet them In debate, aud said sIe
thought they could convert any that did
appear.
Miss Kessler offered the following reso-
luton, which was unanimously adopted:
Resolved, That we tender n vote of thanks to
| the NATIONAL REruBLiCAg for the excellent re.
ports given our work; also for the account of he
| Hayes letters and answers by our president
| and superintendent. of legislative work.
The union thanked Mrs. La Fetra for the
help she had extended the Hope aud Hello
| Mission, and after the transaction Of some
| minor business the meeting adjourned, tho
ladies' considering that they had won a
bloodless victory.