The evening times., 1895-10-16
WILL FIGHT FOR aI00Hs
National Retail Liquor Dealers
to Go into Politics.
KNIVES OUT FOR ENEMIES
To Join With No Particular Party.
But They Propose TO Deieat Those
Opposed TO Tnem-wiH Watch All
Legislation, State or National.
Changing a Constitution.

The retail liquor dealers of the United
States are going ineo politics.
The National Association. now in ses-
sion at the EbDitt House. decided 10 do so
this morning. They will not vote tor any
particular candidate as such, but will de-
feat any man who Is not friendly To them.
This was the iirst business taken up at
the morning session. The resolutions were
passed by a unanimous vote. and the dele
gates ali pledged themselves heartily to
the work. The headquarters OF the new
movement will be at Chicago, where the
headquarters of the association are.
Most OF the political work will be done,
though, by the various State urgaBiza-
/: tions. The national body will look alter
Congress and direct the moveineaL In the
States. A committee will be sent to Wash
inSton whenever necessary to watch leg
tsiation.
+ The resolutions which were passed fol-
low. They comprise the most important
business transacted at this meeting. The
officers OF the committee presenting the
resolutions were b. F. Kearns. chairman:
; and 7. r. Laiiy, secretary. The resolutions
are:
A LEGITIMATE BUsINEss.
whereas the National Retail Liquor
bled at Washington, d. c., October 16.
1896. do affirm and believe that we are
engaged IN a legitimate trade. from which
a larger revenue. is exacted than any other
business in the United States, and
whereas, such being the TACT, We in
sist that all citizens are entitled to enjoy
the largest measure of personal freedom
consistent with good government, and,
therefore. the welfare OF the community.
and
Whereas we believe, that the public
demand the existence OF the salOoD. be-
cause IL is public necessity, and au-
thorized by legislative enactments, and
we believe the suppression OF the legitimate
saloon tends to degenerate the traffic, and
society retalfates by supporting Illicit and
Illegal establishments, which not only tend
to debauch the morals of the community,
but deprives the nation and State of their
revenue. Be it
Resolved. That it is the wish of the
representation present, that an organiza-
ton be maintained through which, and by
which. the interests of the retail trade. in
every section of the country, can be united
in strength and influence. and while We
favor the existence of such an organiza-
ton, that Is in no sense affiliated with
any political party, yet we deem Ii neces-
sary TO watch all political events with the
greatest care. and carefully investigate the
personnel of the respective candidates and
support only those who declare themselves
in favor of personal liberty. and oppose to
our uttermoSt any candidate uf either party
who caters to the fntu,lerant and fanatica1
WILL FIGHT FOR SALOONS.
Resolved, That we deman nd from the ma
tona, and local authorities an quita BILE
regulation of the retail liquor traffic
upon a basis which aecords Ia us the same
rights as those engaged in any other legiti
mate trade, and we protest against the
enactment OF unjust, sumptuary leGisla-
ton.
Resolved. That the organization pledges
itself tn resist all faw-nla king powers who
may attempt to levy an unequal or unjust
tax or fee upon one class of business, and to
aid in opposing all unjust restrictions to
Resolved, That we emphaticaliy de-
nounce all illicit and disreputable resorts
which may be tolerated for any purpose,
bauciiery among the youth Of the communi-
ty, desecrate the Sabbath, and cast an
odiunl upon the legitimate trade, and we
therefore pledge ourselves to assist in its
suppression.
Resolved. That we extend our heartfelt
thanks to all papers and Journals who ex-
tend =. d., to us a Just recognition of the merits
THEIR ATTITUDE EXPLAINED.
X. ] Halle. secretary of the association,
Said:
This action is the most important the
has taken. I want you to say
we will not stand with any party. We will
not vote for the candidate OF any party as
such. We will, however, whet our knives
for those who are opposed to our business
We believe it to be a legitimate business,
and will fight all those who fight u.s."
The election of Officers of the association
occurs late this afternoon. The only con-
test will be over the presidency. Richard
Patterson, of Philadelphia, president of
the PENNSYLVANIA Association, is eandi-
late, and will be opposed by a candidate
put up by the New York delegation. prob
ably Weep resident John Morrisey. The
other officers will be reelected.
The remainder Of the morning session |
was devoted to discussing changes in the |
Tonight a banquet at the |
Ebbitt House. rendered by the local liquor
cave tomorrow for Philadelphia, and |
70 to New York the next day.