The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-02-23
Letters to the Editor.
TEMPERANCE AGITATION IN MICH
IGAN.

To the Editor of THE UNIvERsALIsT:
Allow me through the columns of your
paper to correct false statement that
is going the round of our dailies. l
noticed it first in the Detroit Evening
News of February l. 1t is to the effect
that the petitions now being circulated
and sent to our Legislature asking for
the submission of prohibitory amend
ment is the work of the w. G. T. U. Such
is not the case, but it is the work of
united Christian sentiment which is
overspreading our State. For two years
the churches throughout the State at
their various assemblies, have passed
resolutions favoring the submission of
such an amendment.
Other bodies have done the same
Let me give you the following resolution
which will show how the subject is re-
garded by some county officials. Mr.
Ives presented the following resolution
which was adopted: Resolved by the
board of supervisors of Livingston Co.,
that our members of the State Legisla
ture, be asked to make every possible
and proper effort to have the prohibit
tory amendment Submitted to the peo-
pie at the next April election, and that
the clerk be instructed to forward this
resolution to our Senator and Represen.
tative at Lansing without delay, dated
4
is supported by those who have faith in
our present Legislature, and who want
the curse of the open saloon removed
not as a political party move, but as a
united Christian and Temperance move
ment. One paper stated that one of the
members of the committee on the Liquor
Traffic said he should vote against the
submission. And he hoped it would be
smothered in the committee. If such a
thing is attempted by said committee,
hope the whole State will arise in it's
might regardless of party, creed, or color
and stamp out for ever such despotic
actions.
| do not believe our Legislature will
allow any such glazing fraud to be pub.
lished throughout our country,or indeed
throughout the Christian world, for the
eye of all Christian people will be upon
us to see how we stand, as temperance is
now the most important subject that is
agitating the Christian world. England
and her colonies are agitating it as the
Sunday closing act. The wishes of the
people should always be sacredly
| guarded for in the freedom of the people
lies our safety. If a majority of the peo-
pie wish the saloon closed let them have
chance to say so at the ballot box.
If majority of the voters desire to re-
tain the license let them have the
chance to say so. The result at the bal
lot box is not an absolutely correct one
for only the male portion of the popula.
ton have right to express their desires.
The women who suffer the most from
the curse of the Liquor Traffic have no
power to express their wishes.
| Now just word to those who are cir
culating petitions. In order to prevent
petitions being lost or miscarried wish
every one sending petitions to Lansing,
to send me the name of the Senator and
Representative, to whom you send your
petition; also the first name on the petit
ton and number of names sent, both
voters and non-voters separately. keep
the Legislative journal on file and can
communicate with the Senator or Rep
resentative who is to get and report your
petition. And he can trace it up. II
there are any who can, and will circulate
petitions. where they have not been
thoro ughly circulated, l will send them
to you if you will send name on postal
card. Yours, for Victory,
j. BENSON HILL, M. d.
Posi- OFFICE Box ass.