Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1888-02-17

friendly judges to interpret it; unfriendly
juries to give verdicts under it. 1t is too
soon to say. "Tbe evidence is all in. The
case is before the court" The people will
not welcome the saloon to cities it has left.
A. l.. FKlSBIE.
FACTS AND POLITICAL LIES.
Truth Gets In a Singing Blow on the Bios
soming Nose of Whisky in Iowa.
tDes Moines special to Chicago News.l
The editors of Democratic papers i'll
"here's how--dy-do." They are given
the alternative of admitting that they dealt
IN political fabrications during the cam
paign last fall or are now indulging in COM
mercial hyperbole over the material pros
poets of their respective cities.
Every local newspaper is expected on the
31st day of each December to affirm that
its place of being is the focal point of
vast system of gigantic prosperity which
may include. in a suburban sense, other
and minor foci, but is the one grand CEN
ter, where dwells the handsomest mayor,
the shrewdest chief of police, one of the
largest general emporiums in the West,
and the best brass band outside of New
York and Boston.
The annual obligation was duly observed
in Iowa this year. If expectant emigrants
are bewildered by the somewhat conflicting
reports from rival localities, the State at
large shows up in great shape as wholly
unequaledin its material, social, and moral
inducements to settlers.
Its moral inducements? All, there's the
rub that takes nearly all the hide Off
these poor editors backs. No "write-up"
is complete without something neat about
the moral tone of the community; and so
these new year blow-outs have to assure
the smiling public that Iowa is in o con-
adds to the value of land and insures big
crop in the dryest possible summer.
Last fall these same papers were pub
fishing statistics by the tubful to prove
that prohibition had ruined tho soil, caused
the rivers;t to run dry, driven thousands of
workingmen over into Omaha, and had
even effected the disintegration of numer-
GUS village brass bands throughout the
State. No beer, no toot.
Election was on at that time, and the
clever Major Anderson wanted to shave
close enough to the carved mahogany
executive chair to get into the official cur
rent and be by it borne to Federal Office.
A Democratic candidate, though he be de-
feated at State elections, has Something to
live for now. 1t is better to have tried and
lost than never TO have tried at all, while
the Territorial judgeships continue.
! The Des Moines Leader was the most
rantankerous pessimist in the State last
fall, unless we except the Iowa City Press
"a paper that must be all legs, for itdoes
nothing but kick. The Leader had Des
Moines clinging to the shriveled edges of
ruination, undetermined whether to plunge
in and end its agony or hang there and
dry up.
That sort of political argument was used
wherever it was thought Democratic votes
ing from lack of whisky and chance to
gamble, while women and children were
perishing for want Of berry sustenance.
Behold, what a great change little
time has wrought! On Jan. 1, 1883, the
Des Moines Leader published and gave
unqualified Endorsement of statement by
the Real Estate Exchange of this city,
showing that improvements to the value Of
81, 49,, 1888 were made during the year 1887
in this prohibition slaughtered city.
Instead of decreasing in population, the
city is said TO have increased from %, 1853
in 1885 to $3.50 in 1887. The wholesale
trade done here last year, Notwithstanding
the freight determinations, is reported at
500, ISL $3.50, and the manufacturing done
at $14 Ass, 200. This showing is affected
about $2,OOO,OOO by the closing of the big
distillery. There were S57 residences erect
ed in Des Moines and 81 business houses
Real estate transfers during the same
period aggregated 81 985, 900.
The most amusing fact of all, however is
the announcement that "Des Moines is III a
prosperous condition, and thousands are
locating here annually for permanent homes
because Of our healthy climate, beauty of
location, our social, moral, and educational
advantages"
Two months ago the Leader assured the
people of Texas and other States that the
social and moral condition here-that is,
the enforced removal of saloons and their
inseparable companion dens-were driving
hundreds Of old residents away, depopulat-
ing the State, retarding Development and
inducing bankruptcy.
These latter statements regarding healthy
growth are not confined to Des Moines,
Sioux City makes a remarkable exhibitions
of facts. But perhaps the most significant
item is one in the Sioux City journal:
"There never has been q time in the his
tory of Sioux City, since it could lay claim
to being city, when there was less demand
upon charity towards the poor than there is
now"
Your correspondent knows this to be
true. During his recent soiourn there,
WHICH, luCluuou lOo 1uduhSS1SluS 6chSOu
in its period, he ascertained that the women
who regularly engage in a noble work OF
relief for the suffering, had more supplies
than they had applicants for them. A non.
sectarian aid society sends messengers
about the city to find worthy persons who
need assistance at holiday time. It was
customary for saloon men to contribute tc
the fund. In 1887 that source was cut Off
but the former patrons of saloons had
meanwhile saved enough from their wages
to be above the need Of even o delicately
bestowed charity.
The Sioux City Journal gives another in.
teresting item when it records the closing
Of gambling houses. One of the gamblers
said: "When the bullet hit Haddock it hi
some other men, too, and I am. one o.
Them"
Under the newly indicted Sheriff, Davit
A. Magee, and the courageous Constable
Curtis, the gentry of the green cloth an6
the beer barrel are having hard time il
that city.
This reform is not confined to Siou,
City, however. One month ago the rank.
est kind of games were openly seen on thu
main street of Council Bluffs. Not tn,
slightest attempt was made at conceslmen
of bar and faro layout. County Attone,