Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1895-08-23

obvious reasons.no comparisons can be
made between local option and other
criminal laws. No man looks upon
laws agaiBt theft and murder, and rape
and arson and the other criminal laws
as infringemetts upon his rights.
therefore the comparison Of our local
option friends cannot be sustained In
reason. But Mr.. Homan trlumphantly
exclaimed; '1f local option does not
prohibit what are you fellows kicking
about?" We complain because local
option VIII intensity the evils now exist
Ing,
The saloon must be conducted with
open doors and without screens. The
saloon keeper must give a gllt-edge
bond to keep an orderly house and not
sell to minors and confirmed drunkards
But we are told that all OF the provis-
Ions are not carried out. We reply by
asking II public sentiment does not re-
suit In the enforcement of these pro-
visions how can our local option friends
hope to enforce their more severe meas
uresH All must agree that eXpcrlnce
demonstrates that the more stringent
measure is, the more difficult 1t IL to
enforce II.
II local option is adopted the law
stlll allows liquor to be sold. The seller
will be under bond. Minors can congre-
gate around his place Of business with
open drug store. the principal stock
OF which Will be liquor. He can keep
up screens and shut doors. OF course
each man Will profess to be doing a
legal business. but the opportunities
for violating the law will be so great
that detection viii be exceedingly dlfI-
cult. But ask our local option friends
how they would keep whisky from be-
ing shipped into the great city OF
Fort Worth from Dallas. Mr.. Romans
home? At present the liquor business
II conducted openly. Then II would be
done secretly. Now It X carried on UNI
der the eye Of the public. Then-it would
be concealed. 1t can now be said there
Is little inducement to violate the law
In the sale OF liquor, Then every de-
Vice which human ingenuity could sug-
gest would be resorted TO. When men
are prohibited from doing things which
they recognize as wrong, their judy
ment comedies with the law and they
are disposed to obey and nssist in en-
forcing II. Where men are prohibited
from doing things which they do not
regard as wrong. but which they think
they have right to do IN they so desire
without dlctatlOn from any one else,
the very prohibition Is a challenge to
them to fight the law, This is human
nature and there IL a great deal OF hui
man nature In all Of us.
Herein lies the weakness Of prohibit
ton. For this reason II has no show
of enforcement In community where
majority OF the people do not want
H. II can never be q success unless a
large majority OF the community ear
ncatly desire It, No one claims that
there VIII be local option majority In
Fort Worth The only hope OF It's ad-
yocates rs that It will be forced on the
city by the votes Of the country people.
Such being the case its failure of on
forcement here Is sure and certain II
VIII deprive the city, county and state
of the revenue now received from this
source. This deficiency VIII have to be
made up from other property holders.
We Will still have the evils now exist
ing. The only difference Is they Will be
intensified, II will bring Into life an
army of spies and informers. II will
breed dlsrespect OF law When men
regard any law as unjust, when they
try to defeat It they become democrat
lied and ready to fight other laws. II
VIII iill our courts with cases to the
exclusion of other business Minors
VIII congregate In the secret places
where liquor Is sold ana their friends
ana parents VIII be unable to flnd them,
- worse article OF liquor will be sold
and drank, and Its effects upon the sys-
TEN VIII he more disastrous. | am
aware that many good and honest
people differ with mo on this question.
respect their Integrity and recognize
their right to their opinions. but have
no sort uf respect for the phnrlsee
who poses as being better than others.
and who seek by lnslnuatlon falschood
and abuse to place those who differ
with him in n false light For these
and many other good reasons which
could give hut FOR the fear OF being
tedious, ! shall oppose the adoption OF
local option IN Fort Worth 1 believe
that the success OF this measure would
not only inlure our cltv. but also that
II would set back the cause Of temper |
ance among us. the success OF which [
earnestly desire.
The measure would be such a mlser |
able farce and failure that many peo- |
and could never again be induced to
lend their efforts I'm aid OF a temner |
ance movement Local option had n |
fair trial In Atlanta, Ga, and proved |
to be an inglorlous failure. The peo- |
pc voted II out. II may do for a small |
village but experience has proven |
that II VIII not do for n city.
These are my Views, and / Intend to |
express them regardless OF the insinun- |
lions Of local option champions and the |
abuse OF bigots OF smaller calther |
one of the certain evidences of fanntI- |
cism Is n denial of the right OF FREQ |
dom OF thought and difference of opln-
Ion, and the abuse OF those who do moi |
embrace IT,, Such "a spirit. II trlum- |
phani, would result In the dcstructinn |
OF every vestige OF freedom Such n |
spirit VIII do the cause of local option |
more harm with fair minded men than |
an OF the saloons combined could In /
ilict upon It,"