Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-05-29

county. They crowded each other, clustered
in our boroughs, spread along the borders of
prohibitory districts and squatted about our
mills and workshops. No one can say but this
is q correct description.
"The saloon became mighty power. 1t con-
trolled the primary elections in many districts
and dictated local and county affairs where its
interest was concerned. This led to excessive
drinking, and from the character Of the places
and the men that conducted them led to beastly
habits of drinking Men crowded in dirty
saloons. ranged along the bar awaiting their
turn, and gulped down beer like pigs at swill-
box.
Nothing like that is seen in Germany Men
there sit down and drink their beer leisurely.
So many OF these came in with their own
customs that but little attention was paid to
the law. They kept open all night, sold on
election day and on Sunday, and broke every
law. They also cheated the county by taking
out 500 license instead of a $500 one, and
hesitated not at false oath to escape punish
ment or shield friend. They tampered with
jurors aud officers
MANY wholesale dealers and bottlers also
broke the laws. Vile stuff was sold, competi-
tion caused low prices and these saloon keepers
cared nothing about what kind of liquor they
sold. Cheap liquor is never pure. 1t is always
adulterated; in fact, there is little pure liquor
in this country. Drugs and substitutes are
used in nearly all of it
$50 utterly demoralized became public
of 1887. some men can't come to obey the law
and don't comprehend why there Is not a
saloon in every neighborhood and dozen in
every square.
This applies as well to Philadelphia and
other places, as to Allegheny county.
THE VOICE OF ExPERIENCE.
after Is years on the bench believe four
ffths of all crimes committed are the result
directly or indirectly of the use of intoxicating
liquors. Much of it is due to beer. Three or
four glasses of beer cause stupor, which is
conductive to the condition in which a crime
can be committed. Nearly all homicide and
felonious assault and battery cases are the re-
suit Of drinking 1t follows that three-tourths
of the expense to the State for the prosecution
of criminals is attributed to the same cause. 1t
also tlls the insane asylums, and causes un-
told misery in thousands of families What
family has escaped? Scarce family in the
State but has lost one of its members or a near
relative"
Continuing Judge White said that his SYM
pathles were for the laboring man and his
family. He drew a realistic picture of a we'll
dressed saloon keeper, 'fat, sleek and jolly,
comparing him with mill man in his working
clothes covered with the sweat and dust OF
toll, who is enticed into the saloon on his way
a score to be settled next pay day. he added:
'If you had seen what have seen; read the
thousands of letters have read, You would
know why stand here tonight and plead for
prohibition"
He said further that this law is the best we
have had but the license is too small. No re-
tail license should be under 81 900, and up to
S. 000 according to the sales. The Who'll lesale
license should be from IS, 900 to $4,000. Regu-
lation. however, had been tried in this State
and failed miserably. it was now time to try
prohibition. He said that he thought it un-
wise for the State to authorize the manufac-
and l1OnOrs. Some
may be able todrink moderately but experience
shows tina; whenever and wherever intoxi-
eating liquor is sold it will be used excessively
with the attending misery. He added that 1t
was not only unwise, but inconsistent, refer
ring to the taxation resulting from the Hcens-
ing of the business. 1t was inconsistent to fine
and imprison a man fol getting drunk and
license man to sell the drink to him.
A DIG AT THOSE LAWYERS.
He referred to the assertion that the pro-
hibition amendment would be illegal, siding
sarcastically: "And some of the lawyers
certify to that! This is purely hypo-
critical Every lawyer knows that the people
have right to put in their Constitution what
soever they please. assert here that it is wise
and proper to put it in the Constitution. Put
it out of thespolitical arena, where it will be
out of the reach of the fuctua ton of politics."
Touching on personal liberty, the Judge said:
1.-THE objection on this point is based on mis-
of the duties of the individual to
the body polite. He must give up everything
of personal or private nature that interferes
with the public good. All civil laws are based
on that fundamental principle"
That prohibition is sumptuary law, His
Honor contradicted. He said: Prohibition
does not touch any individual except incident
ally, hence it is IN no wise sumptuary. 1t does
no. say what you shall eat or drink, but it says
what you shall not manufacture and sell for
use as a beverage. / do not agree with some
that no man can take a drink without commit
port the amendment. 1t is on the ground of
the great public good. Every individual should
give up personal qualification for the public
good. 1t is his duty to do so.
LIKE THE COMMANDMENTS.
"The assertion that prohibition doesn't pro-
hibit, of all the objections, is the most sense
less" said the Judge. prohibition does pro-
hibit, the same as the divine commands, Thou
shalt not kill; thou shalt not steal,' etc. But
prohibition doesn't stop drinking altogether is
said. Neither do the ten commandments stop
the commission of sin The logical deduction of
this would be to repeal the ten commandments.
alt is SAID that prohibition won't prohibit be-
cause no law can be enforced when public
opinion is against it, Well, if the majority of
the people vote for the amendment amt that
public opinionF
Judge White said further that nine-tenths of
the people engaged in the liquor business were
not born in this country. The majority come
here, bringing with them customs and habits
not in harmony with American customs. He
continued: Ninety out of every 100 will vote
against prohibition and 1 can safely
say that the thousands who have been
naturalized this year, and especially in the
last three months will all vote against it If
the question was LETT to those born in the State
it would carry for prohibition. If the amend
ment is defeated it will be by those not born
on American soil. 1 do not reflect on natural
lied citizens. They have a right to express
themselves, and they do it thoroughly. Ger
tainly American born citizens have the same
right
In conclusion Judge White made an earnest
appeal for support for prohibition. He said:
Will you free your State from the liquor traf-
ic and bring joy. peace and happiness to
thousands. of hOmes3 If SO, show It by your
7ote on the 18th of next June.
w M. Price. ESQ. made a few remarks