Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-22

drinkers are, if anything, the most emphatic
| In denouncng this attempt OF the rum seller
to invade our prosperous communities. They
know only too well the results OF drunken
ness and can attest to their own experiences.
| Therefore, they are more anxious to shield
their families from the evil influences OF a
country barroom, knowing that those places
| sow the seeds of the worst kind of vice,
! promote idleness and crime, and the law is
but little protection. When they look back
on their past lives they can see there many
acts that cause them to blush for shame and
| are not willing that the tempta ton to repeat
them should be thrown in their way.
Some Of our now best citizens were at one
time victims of the drink habit. The rule
that the best is always taken applies in this
case as well as any other, and in proof
thereof look among your friends.
1t Catches the Best Men.
You will find that those who are or were
formerly addicted to drink are the best
hearted, always liberal, and the most ex-
pert mechanics or finished professional men.
How often do you hear the statement:
"He would make his mark in the world if
he would only stay SOBER"
1t is for just this reason that the publ
spirited. humanity loving people of >. polio
and Leechburg are fighting against the re-
peal OF their present prohibition law, which
makes drunkenness a crime rather than
legaiizes it, and removes temptation from
the paths of young men who are honestly
ambitious to be successful in any line OF
work in which they may engage.
1t now appears that the movement for the
repeal of our present law originated at the
Chambers House. Two of the owners, how
ever, were kept in ignorance of the scheme
because they were known TO be opposed to
it, and they knew nothing OF. it until they
saw the notice in the Apollo Herald. These
gentlemen, Major 7. A. Cochran and DIR.
William McBryar. Sr., were not only sur
prised but indignant that such step should
be taken without even an intimation to
them, though they are as heavily interested
financially as any of the others. 1t was
evident, however, that their views were too
we'll known for them to be invited into the
scheme, as that would have put an end to
the whole affair.
The Position of an Honest Man.
DR.. McBryar is perhaps one of the oldest
physicians in Western Pennsylvania, and
no man is better known in this and adioin.
ing counties. He stands pre-eminent as
sincere worker in the interest of SUI
fering humanity and the promotion of
Christian teaching. He is at all times glad
to hel p man to build himself house and
to him dozens of work1ngmen in our mills
owe their first start toward the purchase of
a home Tor himself and family.
He has able assistants in his good work in
the persons of his wife and daughter, who
are ever active in the fields of temperance
and charity. Mrs. McBryar was formerly
President of the w. c. T. u, and is taking
an active and earnest part in the present
struggle for temperance.
II is with regret that it be said that the
workers for repeal of the law are not al
ways honest in their arguments. Misleading
rumors and damaging statements are sent
broadcast over the place and many are thus
Influenced to take step against the present
laws, For instance, a report was circulated
that the workmen of the Apollo Iron and
Steel Works would be either compelled to
sign the remonstrance or leave the employ
of the company.
Working for Their Interests.
1t is the worst kind of clap-trap, as the |
managers of that company are fair minded |
and honest men, and though they are
anxious for the law to remain as it is, they |
would not descend to such means to gain |
point that is honestly due them. That |
company has increased its plant to its
present immense proportions mainly because
it believed that much OF its success was due |
to the temperate character of men employed |
and believed that a continuance of the |
present state of affairs would be accorded.
This is only one of the many false moves
made by the enemies of our present bene-
fetal system of local government 1t is
honestly believed that many of their
signers were secured in this wav. Then
there were others who signed under mis-
apprehension and the liduorites did not
make any effort to disabuse their minds of |
the false impressions. The temperance
people on the other hand have worked
openly and honestly under the conviction
tina. their cause is justice and they have
met every argument advanced.
There are really only two classes of the
people of the two boroughs who have signed
the petition with any hopes for q repeal of
the law. They are the unrepentant and
cunning sinners, together with few
victims who are misguided and really the
unth linking class of people who look upon
every man as honest and no one with sus-
picIon. These latter have merely taken the
word of the would-be saloonists that it is
for The best interests of the people as a
whole.
Won't Anticipate Their Desires.
The other class however, is composed of
manly men. whose statements on the subject
cannot be misinterpreted. Some of these,
would succumb to their de-
'ire for drink or love of conviviality These
men now shrink from the idea of antici-
oating their desire by ordering spirits Yet
hey would undoubtedly be the first victims
i it were placed before them in the seduc-
i've glitter of saloon.
In this matter the town has everything to
ose and nothing to gain by changing the
existing law, and the same might truthfuIly
De said of individuals engaging in the
raffic. No one questions the prosperity of
he two boroughs, and vet not even
he men who are asking that the flood
rates of drunkenness be thrown open
lare say that we would be more prosperous
lnder their form of government. They
lrgue that it would be no worse, bat it
would hardly be policy TO take such great
chances when the boroughs could net be
,ettered, and ''might possibly" as the
liquor faction express it, be much worse.
During this agitation the morality OF The
has been grossly libeled, as
here is nowhere better class of Christian,
lonest people than those who reside in
Iechburg and Apollo.
The matter will he settled one way or the |
ther this week at Harrisburg, and we hope
hat for all time to come the present law
nd good order will prevail.