Blue-grass blade., 1891-02-14

everything in the States for intox.
icants.
What will they get in return
When you are inquiring into tn,
question as to whether or not this
expenditure contributes to the gen.
eral prosperity, the question as to
what they get for their money be-
comes important.
Will they get homes? | mean
will the people who expcnd this
money for Intoxicating drinks get
homes? Remember that these vast
sums are parted with by the people
who drink the intoxicants. What
will they get for their money? /
ask again. Will they get homes,
or bread, or shoes, or clothing, or
an enlarged bank account, or horses
fast or slow, or oxen, or sheep?
Remember, I am asking all the
time about the men who furnish
this money, and l want to know
what they get in return, that con-
tributes to their financial prosper.
ity. Will they get lands, or stocks,
or bonds, or better schools, or
churches, or health, or muscle, or
increased brain power?
If none ofthese things, what do
they get? Remember all the time
that it is the men who spend this
money and whose prosperity is in
question that lam inquiring about.
The next question is how many
are there of these men? Compare
their number with those who sell
or manufacture the liquors and
who may in fact prosper in conse-
quence, and see how the figures
stand as to numbers.
Let us bring this inquiry little
closer home. We will take George
town as an illustration.
There about eighteen places in
this town where liquors are re-
tailed. In order to pay house rent
and support his family each pro-
prietOr must sell as much as three
thousand dollars worth Of his goods
yearly So that there are expend-
ed by the people of Georgetown
and Scott county about $54 900
annually for strong drink. This
sum in twenty years, expended an
nually, will amount to 81 100000.
Count the interest on this sum
for ten years at five per cent. and
we have 81, 100000.
Who will say that the people of
Georgetown and Scott county will
have their financial prosperity en-
HANGED in the next twenty years
by the saloons of this town to the
extent of this vast sum?
No man will say it who has any
regard for the truth.
Well, if this is not the effect it
will follow that the financial pros
perity of this people will not be
advanced by the saloon, l mean as
to the general effect. This sum is
twice as much as all the property
of Georgetown is assessed at; SO
that the people will twice swallow
their town over its bar-rooms in
the next twenty years.
Now let me ask is the legislation
wise that perpetuates a business
that induces such expenditures of
money? A business. the natural
effect of which, the natural ten.
lency of which is to stimulate
waste and give back nothing in
return.
It's no answer to say that money
is parted with voluntarily. So do
men who part with their money at
the gaming table part with it vol
unfairly. So do men part with
heir money of their own sweet
will in lottery ventures On what
ground do our Lawmakers put
heir opposition to lotteries?
The question is as to the effects
IF gambling and of the lottery
upon society. It does not matter
i the victims of these vices are
victims. Society is inter-
ested in the preservation Of these
souls from their vices.
This is all right as to gaming; or
the publication of obscene litera-
lure, or the faro room, or the ordi-
nary gambling establishments; it
IS all right for society to Interfere
% prevent men from becoming the
victims of these sources of
immortality and waste of money.
Why not apply the rule to the
'aloon that is applied to these?
But | have written more than l
Intended to write.
Yours truly,
JAMES B. FINNELL..