The leader., 1895-09-10
PLEA FOR REFORM.
Sam Jones Presents the Case OF
the peop!e Against the Saloon.
Dangef of the American Christian Sab
Bath from Thres bissHtie E.tisG
Need of Good Laws and Their
Euforct meat.
EcRfainaf. laes.

tip,s, Is prbeoisiAe mitch discussion III
the daily papers as well as in the re-
iigious press of the country. 1t has
also brought forth wall of woe from
the camp of the lawless- The keepers
of The dives hhd dens OF New York
city cay that the faithful execution cf
wholesome laws has in a few weeks
ruined their business, and that already
they are mortgagihR their stocks and
that bankruptcy awaits them all unless
they can have immunity from the un-
just laws, such as the city officials find
upon the statute books of the state.
In other words, II the laws of the
state arc executed, we, the lawicss Gle
mcnt of the state, are ruined in fortune
and banlsrrpted in business, whereas
II the law is enforced the good element
in the city will be dominant, and de-
cency will be maintained.
Now, in the first place, don't be-
lieve their tale; in the second place
only wish 1t were true. The millions
of suffering women and good men of
our country would join in the Doxology,
Praise God from whom oil blessings
fow." /, for one, have no patience
with the spirit that would abolish the
American Christian Sabbath and that
would inaugurate the Sabbath of con-
tinental Europe on this side the waters.
America has her Christian Sabbath, and
it is worth her while to protect it. We
must remain Americans and American
izc our foreign elements, and not have
them Europeanize US.
What claim has the liquor traffic upon
this country? If all other trades and
crafts are willing to abide by the law;
il merchants, miners, farmers and hon
est toilers of our country must keep
the Sabbath and work only six days
a week, what is the matter with the sa-
loon element that they will be bank
rupted if they arc forced to obey laws
which others keep? Is the margin in
their business so small that they must
push their damnable traffic seven days
a week and twenty-four hours day
the year round? Their cupidity is only
equaled by their insolence. Their love
Of money is only to be gauged by their
lawlessness. Their statements are en-
bodied in the following preamblcs and
resolutions:
Whereas, Mayor Strong and his CO.
officials in the city of New York have
laid burdens upon our craft which we
cannot bear; and,
Whereas, No former administration
has had either conscience or principle
in the enforcement of law; and,
Whereas, The city owes us protection
and immunity from all laws that
lbridgc our rights or interfere with our
business, because a large proportion of
the revenue of the city is paid into the
city treasury by the ten thousand sa-
loonkeepers of New York city; there
fore, be it resolved,
First, That we bull-nccked white
aproned gentlemen of the liquor traffic
are unalterably opposed to all laws that
abridge our rights and veg our red
nosed patrons.
Secondly, That "Blue laws" were
made by Christian cranks, and are only
sought to be enforced by the de-
cent element of the city, and as said
decent element have no rights or priv
ileges not accorded to them by us,
therefore it cannot long be expected
of us that we will submit to this cruel
infringement upon our rights.
Thirdly, That we will band together
snd put all or henchmen and buns to
work in order to rid ourselves of all
officials who dare to do their duty and
enforce law.
Mayor Strong and his coofficials and
suboficials deserve the cooperation of
all good citizens of New York city and
the praises of the American people.
They are making an honest effort to en-
force law, without favor or prejudice.
The Christian press of the country is
squarcly with them, and large part
If the city press commend them. 1t is
to be expected that many rum-soaked
and rum-subsidized editors will cham
pion the side of the lawless saloon
keeper, and clamor for liberties which
are not liberties, but, when rightly I'M
derstood, they are the chains of slavery
which they would weave about us and
make this the land of the slave and the
home of the sneak.
The editors and newspapers who
seek to bring the honest efforts of
Mayor Strong and his coofficials into
contempt have not the fear of God be-
fore their eyes, and not the good of hui
manity in their minds. We read of the
dry multitudes, of the beerless crowd,
Of the hardships entailed upon the
poor laboring man because on the Sab
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