The Osceola times., 1888-08-25
The Saloon In Politics.
CkaatanqNaR Magazine:

ChaafdnqHaR Jfdgazi'fe:'
From 4. II. Coigai, tnifcd
States Senator from Georgia.
You ask me to give you my opin-
ion o. "thc effect of the saloon In
politics in the United States"
| am not sure of your meaning in
the phraseology you employ in this
query. If you wish to know of me
what is the comparative amount
either of influence or votes which the
two great parties will control or dis
burse by the agency Of the saloons
as by extreme courtesy we call them,
| must frankly tell you | have no
idea about it, or any reliable means
of ascertaining the information. But
if assume you are speaking in the
popular acccptation of the phrase,
select of the saloon in politics" !
am prepared to say the effect is evil
and evil continually.
In the very first place, it is pre-
sumable that such grossly sensual
agency will not find any aflinities in
things noble and of good report.
AS we find the examples before our
eyes everywhere and at all times,
the appeals of the whisky influence
are directed to the worst parts OF
our constituency.
The bitterly malign power OF the
saloon has made this class what it is,
and it is the pleasure and interest
of the "saloon" to keep it at its de-
graded estate. Bribery is at all time
a vile aud destructive agency and
utterly intolerable. But in some OF
its aspects it may be only compare
lively detestable. You may bribe
a man with gold, or honors, or Office,
and we pass this form of the crime
with more or less reprobation. But
to influence the voter by holding to
his lips the cup Of drunkenness is
beyond comparison the lowest Of all
forms Of bribery.
Now take into account the power
of this seduction when the appetite
for strong drink has been establish
ed, aud we will find that practically
it amounts to an absolute ownership
of the voters suffrage. We have
no doubt overlooked the wicked
power OF alcohol as factor in al
most every popular election held in
the country. Aud no doubt thous-
ands and tens of thousands of votes
are moved and placed here and there
! just as the whisky seller wills at ev.
, cry important election in the land
What chance is there in such cases
for the moral or political re former tc
. be hcardg What attention will the
| poor degraded inebriatc give to
, your arguments in favor of the great
principles underlying our peace and
! prosperity as people, when the de-
, mon of strong drink intervenes!
+. The saloon subsidizing any party
! that will accept its alliance, brings
, into the fray a fearful power. This
r has been seen in many of our com.
4. munities, and in some Of our states
) an oath is exacted of every repre-
sentative elect to the legislature
that his election has not been secur.
ed by either bribery Or treating
The discrimination need not have
. been made as the two things arc
, about the same.
. How can this age with all 1t.
lights and its amazing responsible
: ties, longer debate and wrangle over
SO obvious fact as that the saloon
. IS one of the most hurtful and abom.
: Unable Of all the degrading infuen.
ces ravaging society and that this in
r iluence must be cxtinguishcd. 1t i;
! bad enough in all conscience to
| stand by aud witness the wrecks Of
honor, talent, aud domestic happi.