Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-03-09
QUEER COMPARISON.
Mrs. Lathrop. Of Michigan, Says
Saloonkeepers Beat Cannibals.
ISIT BETTER TO EAT MISSIONARIES
Than to Sell the Festive Firewater to
the Pale-FaceS?
THE LADY SAYS 1T is, AND TELLS WHY

Mrs. Mary A. Lathrop, of jackson,
Mich, the "Daniel Webster of the female
world, )" addressed large audience in the
North Avenue M. E. Church, Allegheny,
last evening. She was engaged to lecture
on. prohibition by the Constitutional
Amendment Committee of this county.
Mrs. Lathrop is a pleasant talker, and
advanced some very able arguments in ia
vor of the law proposed. She does not be-
lieve that high license will lessen drinking
at all; it will merely crush out the smaller
dealers who are not able to pay high Ii
cense and create monopoly for the others.
The speaker said:
Why does the church close the gate against
saloon keepers? Why are both the gate of society
and the fraternal gate closed against them?
The Masonic fraternity, which is powerful
secret order, prohibits saloon keeper from
becoming member. This law was not made
when the order was formed, but the Masons of
Missouri have gone further. They have
adopted law that prohibits member from
remaining In the order after this law was
made, unless he goes out of the saloon busi-
ness. Although the business is licensed, it is
CERTAINLY NOT RESPECTABLE,
or those engaged in it would not be barred by
the church, society or the Masonic order. Gen
eral Master Workman Powderly, of the
Knights of Labor, since he has held that posi-
ton, has repeatedly refused to permit the ad-
mission of saloon keepers or bartenders into
the order.
There are only two questions to be discussed
One is: "Allow anyone to engage in the busi-
ness or prohibit ALL" If the license is made
high enough, it will prevent large number of
from huSin6SS | ad
NIT that, but will not admit that it will lessen
the amount of liquor consumed. As an illus
tration 1 will offer this: If there are 25
men engaged in the grocery business in this
city, and of this number 20 are in good busi-
ness standing, and the other five are Just able
to meet expenses and live; if a tax of $500 is
placed on grocers, 1t will crush out the five
small grocers, but will not lessen the amount
consumed, as the other 20 will get the trade
You say to the little fellows: You are crimi-
nails, but the others are conducting legitimate
business, because they are able to pay for their
licenses"
The worst monopoly is the whisky monopoly
under high license. acknowledge there is a
big revenue derived from the sale of liquor,
which is one of the principle arguments in
favor OF 1t; but let us see whether we want it.
AN INCIDENT IN POINT.
When the prohibition question came up in
Michigan I was on a train on my way home,
and met prominent business man of Detroit
and asked him how he intended to vote Al
though he was strong temperance man he
said he would vote against prohibition. I'VE
derive a revenue of SIS, 900 year in Detroit"
said he, from the sale of liquor, and if it is
prohibited my taxes will be Increased one
third" If when you left this house with your
eldest son. bright, promising boy, and should
meet a saloon keeper, who would say to
you, THAT is fine boy" you would
agree with him. If he continued by
saying: ~ would like to have that boy
patronize my house; will not entice him; 1
will not force him to come; but 1 will merely
allure him, if you give me permission to do SO;
if you give me this permission 1 will pay one
third of your municipal tax every year." what
would you do? If you were a man, you would
raise that right muscular arm of yours and
strike him between the eyes.
Cannibalism is decent, compared with the
saloon business l have more respect for
savage who will kill missionary, cook him and
eat him than man who will allow the liquor
business because it will lessen his municipal
taxes.
Mrs. Lathrop spoke for over an hour, and
was frequently interrupted by applause.