The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1890-01-04
TEMPERANCE MEETING.

Il
Stirring Addresses = Branch of
Enforcement League Formed.
The mass temperance meeting at the
court house Sunday evening was we'll
attended. Rev. A. w. Atkinson pre-
sided and stated that the object of the
meeting was to hear of the purpose
and plan of work of the state enforce
ment league from its president Rev.
VIM. Fielder of Huron. After appro-
pirate preliminary exercises, which in
clLded pray r by Rev. A. A. Brown,
scripture reading by Rev. Geo. A.
Macintosh and several selections
from a choir made up from the differ
ent churches, Rev. Mr. Fielder was in
troduced. He began by referring to
the evolution in temperance sentiment
which he had individually experienced.
He was first moderate drinker, then
total abstainer and after coming to
America from England he had at
length become prohibition; and
that of the most aggressive type.
Then were presented the reasons why.
he was an aggressive prohibitlonist
and these were followed by a scathing
arraignment of the license system.
The system which was nothing less
than coYenant on the part of govern
ment with the devil for the protection
of soul destroying traffic, South Dakota
had on October 1st repudiated. She
had by large majority of her citizens
declared for prohibition and had so
declared, he believed, for all time. He
believed too that prohibition would be
a completer success in South Dakota
than in any state that had hitherto
adopted it. The majority here would
rule. Not only would saloons be clos
ed but there would be no blind pigs
permitted. But even should there be,
he was convinced, that they were pre-
ferable to open saloons. They were
patronized by the topers and not by
the boys, whom in particular prohibi-
tion was meant to protect.
After these general remarks the
speaker spoke briefly of the enforce
ment league. 1t had been formed at
the prohibition Jubilee meeting held at
Pierre in October Its purpose was to
assist in securing such laws from the
legislature as would make effective the
constitutional clause, and these laws
secured it was to aid, whenever and
wherever required, in their vigorous
enforcement. The league would seek
to maintain temperance sentiment
so strong in every county that it
would of itself enforce the law, but in
some counties as Yankton and Law
renee there would be strong adverse
sentiment, and in such organized as
sistance would be desired, and the
league proposed to be ready to furnish
it.
The desirabillty of the organization
had been suggested by such represen,
tative men as Prof. Bartlett of Yank.
ton college, Commissioner IIaggerty
and many others, 1t was intended tc
form branches of the league in every
city and county OF the state. BY such
branches alone, could the league re.
lize its aim.
Mr.. Fielder was followed by A. E
J Hitchcock, Esq and Capt. Geo. Silsby
both of whom commended the league
and advised the prompt organization
of city branch. Mr. Hitchcock, ir
the course of his remarks, said thai
nothing had ever been donein Mitchell
! in the way of organized fort, for th'
: enforcement of temperance laws. Wi
! this statement Rev. A. A Brown tool
, issue and quite spirited discussion en-
! sued on the work OF the enforcement
: league that had been formed in tn,
! city under the local option regime
The audience concluded from the dis
, cussion that its work had gone lit Il
if any farther than talk.
: AT the conclusion of the addresse:
} and discussions a Mitchell branch O
l the league was organized with 46 mem
! bers and the following officers wer,
3 chosen
President l.. N. Seaman, Secrt tary
L. w. Adams. Treasurer G, III. Rath
man.
New Years Eve Notes.
Hal and Fred Clark gave New
Years eve party at the home of thei
parents in honor of their guest ant
cousin Miss Sue Clark OF Plankinton
About twenty young reople wat chez
the old wear out and welcome d the ney