The Press., 1893-03-16
MURPHY TO THE SALOON-KEEP.
 FRS.

by lnVlGatlOn or William LOeSCh6r, a Mulbury street (Hartford) saloon-keeper, MT. Murphy held a meeting in hall over the saloon last Wednesday evening, to which the saloon keepers were particular ly invited. Here is the Times report of what he said:
 "Men," said MT. Murphy, holding out his right hand, II am glad to meet you and look into your faces and shake you by the hand," and somehow as he uttered these words and the men looked into his face they believed that he was telling the truth. A respectful, almost impressive, silence was maintained. Each man leaned forward to look and to listen.
 ''I thank you for coming here tonight, l appreciate the honor you do me, and al- though my business is materially different from yours, yet we can meet and reason together
 "Neither my father nor I in our work have ever abused the saloon men. We have recognized that the seller is not so much to blame as the man who buys. If temperance people could close up the sa- loon that is located between a mans nose and chin they would go far towards ac- complaining their purpose. No, sir, I have never abused the man who sells liq- uor, but have said to the workingman with family, if you spend $2 a week in saloon you are a stockholder to that ex- font in h11c nd ceive none of the profits.
 ."People are too apt to think that a liq- uor dealer is a kind of vulture. I know better. A saloon-keeper is made of the same clay as other men. He loves his | wife and children just like other men, and 1 tell you that liquor dealers have harder work and longer hours and receive more unjust abuse than any class. 1 am per. suaded that the same amount of energy and business capacity displayed in any other direction would ensure success.
 "But, now as to this drink habit. You don't want drunkard about your places not one of you. No, sir. If you have g bartender who begins to booze in the morn ing and is drunk all day you would dis. charge him. Deep down in our hearts we | desire the best.
 "Now want to say to you that so long as you keep within the law your business is just as legal as selling cigars or shoes but there ale certain things for your owr good name that you can do. When a boy comes up to your bar you can take him by the hand and lead him out, and tell him il is no place for him. You wouldn't want your own boy around the saloon. It is against the law to sell to minors. Ther you can say that you will respect the Sun day law. know how hard it is. Amar comes around Sunday, with his stomach feeling as though his throat had been cut and comes up to your back door and says | For the love of God, give me drink and you are too good-natured to refuse Then you should not sell to drunkel man. I know how hard that is, too Some of them are ugly customers, and they are refused they make a disturbance but if you live up to the law no man cal say werd-from a legal standpoint against your business.
 "Did you ever see a liquor dealer wh, sold liquor for any length of time who ha' succeeded in keeping his money? Some how it always gets away. And how abou your families? How about the wife an, little innocent children? How are the, received out in society? Don't you knov they are ostracised? Don't you know tn finger of scorn is pointed at them? Sine I have been in Hartford have had pur noble mother come to me and say, MT. ant Murphy, wish you could reach my boy My husbands in the business and Tn afraid the boy is going to ruin! Itell you men, we know something about mother heart. The best thing you can do fo your children is to leave them the heritag of good name. I've drunk liquor, an, a good deal of it, and I know what it is t. see home broken up and a family curse, by this traffic. In conclusion, for tn sake of your wives and children, you manhood and your country, I beseech o you to think of these things"
 
 The Fire Department in every city coul