The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1892-03-03
TEMPERANCE NOTES,
A GRAND WORK,

What 10 Being Accomplished In Chicago
by . Cltizens' League.
We have been deeply interested in
reading the reports in the local col
umns of the Chicago dailies of the four
teenth annual meeting of the Citizens
league of that city. At that meeting
much attention was devoted to the dis
cussion of one kind of work done by
that organization, which has gone for.
ward for several years without much
ostentation, but with results of the
most gratifying character: This work
is expressed in the watchword of the
league-''save the boys" and it means
to save them from the degrading influ-
ences of the saloon. Mr.. l. p Rumsey,
the president of the league, in his an
nual report, read on the occasion re-
ferred to. gives a very clear idea of the
scope and cha, acter of this work of
saving the boys:
In 1877, with a population Of 40, 900 and 1900
saloons, the number Of minors sent to the work.
house was 1,782. In 1890, with population of
1000 and 5000 saloons, 1,665 minors were sent
to the workhouse, showing decrease Of minors
sent to the workhouse of III, Notwithstanding
the.:increase of population has been nearly 800
per cent.
The natural inquiry is: What has wrought
this wonderful change? Your committee claim
that the persistent, indefatigable and successful
prosecution OF salOOnkeepers by the league. for
violation Of the law in selling Intoxicating
liquors to minors and drunkards has been one
great instrument in bringing about this result.
What more worthy institution exists in Chicago
to-day? You are supporting league whose
doors have been open for fourteen years. where
the poor wife and mother can seek protection
without money against the destroying influence
of King Alcohol.
So long as public opinion is not far
enough advanced to not only compel
the abolition of the saloon entirely. but
compel the strict observance of that
prohibition, such work as that done BY
the Chicago Citizens league is impera-
lively needed. One of the very worst
features of the saloon as an institution
is the terrible temptation it places in
the path of young men, and the couse-
quent ruin of thousands of them. Were
it not for the open saloon, they would
never become drunkards, and their
lives would run in courses of peace and
prosperity instead of those of vice,
want and often crime. An organiza-
ton which compels the strict observ-
ance of the laws against sales of liquor
to minors has an enormous field of use
fulness, not alone in our cities. but in
every place where the open saloon is
tolerated
One of the reasons for the success of
the Chicago organization has been the
high character of the men actively en-
gagged in its work. They are men of
affairs, coming from every reputable
walk of business life. Their characters
stand so high among their fellow citi-
zens that they give dignity and power
to the league, and go far to compel
obedience to the law on the part of sa-
loonkeepers, without requiring a con-
slant resort to the mach merry of the
law to enforce it. Every one knows
that if the league finds violation of
sthat law, the prosecution will be
pushed with unrelenting vigor against
the offender, and that punishment is
certain. Maj. McClaughry, chief of the
Chicago police, addressed the annual
meeting of the league, and expressed
the highest adm ;ration for its methods.
The Chicago plan is one that can
he protitabiy employed by the friends
of temperance everywhere. The sa-
loon is nothing if it is not aggressive.
1t aims at practically universal domi-
nation; it constantly endeavors to
assert its independence of all restric-
tive laws, no matter how wise they
may be, and beneficial to the commu-
nifty as whole. Laws do not execute
themselves, unfortunately; and in
cases like this, where there is class
OF persons in the community seeking
to evade those referring to one par.
t:cular traffic, an organization of law
abiding citizens can be most power
full promoter of their strict observance.
Toledo Blade