The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1888-09-27
lawyers AND SALOON.KEEPER
Z "A IrNn

EDITOR ADvANCE:-1 am often
asked why the wives of lawyers and the
wives and daughters of men who either
deal in or produce Intoxicating drink
are not allowed in the order of the
knights of Labor. For the benefit of
those to whom this discrimination may
seem an injustice, will give my un-
derstanding of the cause for such a
law.
First, the map and wife being one
their interests are identical; therefore
when we declare ourselves against
lawyers as Il class, We could not ask the
wife to 60 against her husband. We
lawyers resort in the pursuit of their
professions; they are not producers;
IT, they become partjZans, and avail
themselves Of every influence which,
association with either of the pOliti-
Cal parties would afford them for the
purpose Of advancing their own interest
aud ambition, until the halls Of State
aud National legislatures have an un-
due and unnecessary preponderence of
members from this particular class of
men; and in the interests Of their
clients they suppress known truths ii
favorable to their opponents; they
give false cOloring to immateriai
points in their clients favor; they sys-
tematica]ly endeavOr to suppress and
2ervert the technicality of existing
law, if adverse to their own interest
OK those by whom they are employed, !,
even though truth and justice demands
their presentation. Sel6shness, ambi-
tion and the competition which men
enter into with others lead to all this;
and although there are many honorable
exceptions to those who practice these
methods, they are of necessity obliged
to supply for the actions of the ambi-
tions, unprincipled position of the pro-
fessiOn.
But we have hoped that in the near
future q new era will dawn for the
legal fraternity. When ,Conaen, who
are rapidly taking up the practice of
law. will purify it by advocating the
cause of right and justice, regardless
Of self-enolument. When the public
! will believe as the Knights of Labor do,
that lawyers in the true meaning of
| the term, are rs essential for the pub
lie welfare as the minister and physi-
clan, and will unite with US in demand,
ing the discharge of their duties in the
administration of justice in an honor
able, conscientious manner. regardless
of profit or position. Then will both
the lawyer and his wife be eligible to
membership in an organization that
demands protection for the many
against the unprincipled power of the
wealthy few.
We cannot admit the wife of the man
who produces or sells intoxicating
| drinks: First, because there are very
few cases in which the wife is not in
full sympathy with her husband in tina,
in which he is engaged, and if required
would herself step behind the bar tc
deal out that which is u curse and
heart sorrow to many other wives and
mothers. Second, there are often times
bitter denunciatlons against this ne
farious calling on the floor of the Looa
| Assembly which it would be very un
ing that her husband was one to whom
1t could apply. Third, experience has
taught US that the home of the saloon.
keeper, whose wife was a member o
the order, was found to be a very con
venient place for committee meetings
and of course, as natural consequence
treat was in order when the com
mittee work was finished or perhaps
before; and as, to our sorrow, we had
many men in our order to whom one
treat was like pouring ''oil upon fame,
inasmuch as it increased the burning
consuming desire for more, and oul
object being to raise those unfortunate
above this and win them away from al
associations leading to it. we deem i
advisable to avoid everything tina
would be an excuse or a temptation t.
take that which maddens the brain
dem0ra)lZes the senses, and blunts, aye
eventually wipes out all the high ant
finer sensibilities and noblest attribute
Of man. TIE principles of Knighthoo,
can meyer cOuntenance any law tina
would have any possible tendency t,
sending the father or husband home t.
his fireside and loving hearts wait,nl
his coming with his capabilities SHAT
tered and beastalized, or the son of hi
loving mother dwelling mauldlin
besotted wretch.
1t is the blessing of the poor, tn
hearts0re and weary, We desire, an
not the curse. The son or daughter
If employed at any honorable occupa
tion for. self f-sustennce, is eligible t
membership, because the child is no
responsible for the actions of the pal
ents, and the education received in tn
| teachinQ6 of the order should have til