The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1892-05-27
ABorT Bofs
ALBANY. Nav %. 1902.

AL fG6 VI tEEEIt S8tUlH OuE City
the question is pertinent; what is the
allureinent oil beer keg toa group OF
growing boys? In our community there
are few very poor, and almost none des-
perately so; there are no tenements so
full CT squalor and wTetchedness that
the youths who have grown up there
know nothing else there are no boys in
our community who have no roof over
their heads, who sleep in goods boxes or
cuddled up against the warm side OF a
building. Albany boys have homes, and
most OF them good ones. And not only
are there plenty Of wholesome and in
yigorating amusements for our boys, but
people are interested in their sports, and
are ready to encourage what is manly.
II boys home for any reason is not
peasant, the reading room is not ''poky"
and pleasant evening Of reading or
quiet games is sure TO any one visiting
them. Albany boys have been taught,
ii not all OF them, that "no drunkard
shall enter the kingdom OF HEAVIER" that
the use Of strong drink will prevent their
entering the kingdom OF success in this
life. They have been taught at their
mothers knees, n the school room and
at Sabbath school, the dangers Of the
first glass, and they believe it. There
would seem TO be no reason in the home
life or social and educational opportuni-
ties Of our boys, TO warrant the passion
ate desire for the pleasures of the saloon
that we see manifested, not only by the
last junior reyel, but over and over
again, with more or less beer and more
or less secrecy Moreover, what are the
pleasures OF saloon? There are with
oat doubt Joys 10 whom, by reason Of a
dreadful inheritance, alcohol in hogeye:
vile form. is agreeable, but they are not
the majority. 1t surely can't be any
great pleasure for boy 10 ''pnke his
heart Off They must see the difference
between the home sitting room and the
tobacco filled, curse laden atmosphere Of
the saloon. No one Of them means
always to take all his pleasure that way
Looked at nationally the saloon with its
associations and results is not inviting
to anyone, and we are led 10 repeat our
question; what is the aiIurement of a
beer keg 10 a group Of boys? Why do
they risk the discomi ori of being found
out, the sight OF the humiliation and
grief of their parentg, and their OWN self
contempt for the sake Of a spree? pure
cussedness'' we hear answered, and
k&EEC lE EbtGEkA4I4lE III 4ks II AgL
well be otherwise, and they be the sons
Of their parents Boys often like 10 do
what is forbidden; they ike 10 astonish
folks. They don't intend to go TO the
bad very few Of them in their inmost
souls ever expect to be Jesse James,
much less a tiD-horn gambler BOYS
'-ju.t for fun" seldom steal; they never
murder for fun, and not often set fire to
building. They don't mean 10 do any
thing very bad, but the impulse toward
evil which they have inherited from
their parents, and the stimulus of com
radeship, together with the swift flow OF
red blood In their veins and the conse-
quent abundance Of animal spirits, seeks
an outlet through some channel that is
unusual and astonishing Bnt why do
they seek the beer keg? All boys life
from the time he is able TO lisp his
fathers name, he aspires 10 be a man
Tha: is why the first pants are such a
source Of pride 10 little fellow, and atty
one who knows boys can detect this
same spirit. differently manifested at
different periods, all through his boy
hood and youth. BOYS are not hindered
from initiating their seniors, except IN q
few things They are a. perfect liberty
TO work, and they are expected TO be
courteous and gentlen1aniy and SELF
sacrificing. They are constantly stiuu-
lated to prepare for the manhood that Is
corning to them But until they have
crossed the marvellous day that duhs
them II en-. they are deprived oil the beer
keg. They knoN the beer keg can't be
very had or so many men would no.
pa,roniEs il. II il Is ian Tor men 10
have "a time" Why isn't il fun for a
bow These boys know very we'll that
unless q man drinks SO much as TO inter
iere with money making abilities. il is
treated very lightly, save av lew They
know that il makes something Of hero
OF young man to have been Zen q
high while IN the city. Asd how often
a drunken dehauch is treated as funny.
1t will take a vast amount Of mother 8
influence TO overcome the etfec, ct the
laughter indulced in by the spectators in
the recorders Office the other evening a.
the Wit o. the attorney. Boys knog u az
while fathers Efi mothers take these
things hard, that irs fun Tor the crowd.
Moreover they know that Tor the FFotec-
tfon OF the saiooa keeper from llle iu3ig-
nation Of ilsoz wro-ged ty his traffic.
the CITY guvs rDmeut Tor s stipulated
sum guarantees 10 him the privilege Of
selling liquors yer his bar all hours OF
the day aud night. and every day day oi
the week. Nm. ihe average BOYS know
there must lie something remarkable
aboI II LIQUID thSt Is supplied under
such favorable circumstances, ser ems.
painted " wyniowa. hack io5rs, etc. bat
which is defidd to boys until they are
twenty-oae- Is il any ondeE thSt they
are ready to ante2ate their aaai1Tiiy by
lew Years that they may enter into its
delights little sooner Boys srs not
sorely tempted TO do as boys wla: they
are forbidden TO do as men. But the
temptation 10 do those things forbidden
them because they are BOYS. not because
those Things are not lit Tor anybody to
DO. but Just because they are boys, be-
eomes very enticing 70 them. And there
IS very little use 10 make laws on the
subject ii is hzudly reasonable 10 ex-
pect any man. for philanthropy sake, 70
diminish his business prospects for thS
future. The saloon keepers business
success is dependant in the degradation
of boys. That's why he has TO pay a
license. This business was not intend
ed TO hurt anybody he would be as free
to pursue it as the shoe dealer. The
sooner he gets held Of the boys the bet
ter his business wiil lss. Therefore we
can't expect that he viii iose aag safe
opportunity to cultivate the drink habit
early in boys lie. Fhe truth is, while
men swear, boys will swear, while men
saoke cigars and pipes, boys will smoke
cigarettes and while there aFs saloons
and men take an occasional glass, bays
will believe there is something worth
having in the beer keg, and they will
hare Il. 4 FRIEND OF BOYS.
HsaR AND AskaAn