The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-25
TO SUPPRESS THE
OAKLAND SALOON,
THE OLD TEMPERANCE BATTLE
Is REVIVED WITH NEW
TACTICS.
ORGANIZED LABOR OPPOSES
SUDDEN DEATH OF WILLIAM M.
VANCE, A PIONEER GOLD
DIGGER.

There is a concerted movement in Oak
land looking to the suppression of the
saloon, and a meeting has been held at
Hamilton Hall at which many organiza-
tions were represented. The plan of work
is new in the temperance line and much
interest was manifested at the meeting.
There were present representatives of
churches, W. c. 7. L. organizations, Sons
OF Temperance, Good Templars, the Munic-
ipal League, the Federated Trades and
Others. President L. D. Inskeep of the
Municipal League was chosen chairman of
the meeting
When Rev. DIR. Mclean opened the meet
ing he stated that something like the plan
now proposed had for a long time been
thought OF by him: The plan was ex.
planned by Rev. William H. McDougal of
San Mateo, who is the author of it. He
said: at is impossible to question that the
stage to which the temperance reform has
now come is gravely critical The forces
OF noble impulse and moral daring have
borne 1t to advanced ground. But there it
stands repuIsed. DefenSes nobly won have
been lost. Behind these that remain we
stand with confused counsels and waver-
ing faith. OF the forces of insobriety
lncomparably the greatest is the drinking
saloon. That is the foe that has beaten US
back. And wherein is the enemy's
strength-wherein our present weakness T?
We are many-they are few But we are
divided-they are united.
lit is proposed to form an order which
shall be known as the Council for the Sup
preston of the Saloon and that each
political, industrial reform, religious or
benevolent organization within the limits
OF council may elect one member of the
body.
The council shall seek by all proper
means, not involving consent to the
principle of license, to close saloons in as
many places and on as many hours of the
day and days of the year as possible in
order to break the baneful political power
OF the saloon and to lessen by proper laws
Its perilous social attractions, or to coun-
teract those by providing other and unob-
iectionable places of resort"
Speeches were made by many of the
gentlemen present, One speaker said that
IN a certain saloon in Oakland he found
sixteen young ladies, daughters of bust
ness men and prominent citizens.
John Gelder, labor leader, who said he
represented organized labor in Oakland
and elsewhere, said labor could not work
In harmony with a movement so narrow.
''The principles of la Dor organizations, he
said, "are broad. They recognize the
workers in breweries and distilleries as
brothers as much as any other craftsmen,
questions for labor TO consider that it can
not waste its time nor divide its forces on
temperance.
The plan was favored in speeches by Rev.
William RAIDER, Rev. Mr. Wendte, Rev Mr.
Jones, DR.. Frear, Mrs. r. r. Johnson and
Mrs. Borland.
The constitution of the proposed council
was finally adopted by a general vote of
the meeting. Then those not delegates
withdrew, and the latter agreed to report
back TO their several organizations and,
with fuller authority, attend another meet
ing to be held next Friday evening. The
following call was issued:
To the presidents of reform, benevolent
industrial and political organizations, the
pastors of churches, the societies of men or of
young people connected with the several
churches
The conference held on last evening having
unanimously voted that ii is eXpedient TO or
ganize council for the suppression of the
saloon meeting viii be held on Friday even
Ing at 80 in y. NJ. c. A. rooms to perfect such
organization and plan for work. All organiza-
tons above indicated who approve the stated
objects OF such council are earnestly invited
to be represented by some mem Der properly
appointed 10 participate in such action.
l.. ID. INsKEEP,