The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-31
Demonstration Of the No.
License People.
A Well Attended Meeting at
Infantry Hall.
Chairman Bicknall Told What the
Mayor Had Promised Him.

The no-license rally in Infantry Hall last
night was as interesting as 1t was signih-
cant. 1t was significant especially because
the majority of those present were appar-
enty heartily in favor of the movement.
The attendance, however, was not as large
as might have been desired, the hall be-
ing but little more than half filed. Hon.
Thomas W. Bicknall presided, Rev John
Haie Larry made prayer, to help those
who are on the wrong side OF the ques-
ton. and the chorus which sang during
Evangelist. Moody's last visit rendered APP
propriate selections.
In opening Mr.. Bicknall stated that the
contest at hand Is az great as any the
world ever saw, and today 1t is practically
the only issue OF election.
The devil's work I'm the saloon Keepers
advertisement which appeared in last
nights papers was heartily scored, and ne
made two important announcements:
Mayor McGuinness' promises, II no.
license is obtained, to see that the law Is
enforced; and Warden Wall says that II
the saloons are shut up 80 per cent. OF his
Crauston boarders will be taken away.
Mr.. Bicknall showed that II the city lost
the revenue from the rumsellers the in
crease per capita OF the citizens would be
but SO cents on a thousand dollars and he
felt sure all good citizens would willingly
stand that.
Frank Foxcroft, editor OF the Boston
Journal, and one of the progenitors OF
no-license In Cambridge, Mass, was in
troduced TO tell CT the benefits accruing
from prohibition, how IL came about and
how il is held. Cambridge is separated
frou Boston only by the Charles river. IL
has population OF nearly SO, 900 and has
Mr
not propose to treat of any specific sys-
tenn but preferred, he said, to show the
best way of doing IL, and present facts
drawn from experience. He would not
say that prohibition Is better than local
option, nor vice versa, but they are differ
ent. Local option goes into force only
after the people declare they want 1t. lie
then described the difficulty at first at
tending the enforcement OF no-license In
Cambridge; how the salooDk eepers kept
open whole year in spite OF 1t; how the
city was run by rumsellers and the city
hall was opened only through them. The
gradual success OF the plan was inter-
estingly worked up until, as a climax, the
speaker proudly remarked that Catholic
and Protestant church bells answer each
other In proclaiming the good news on
election day that Cambridge has again
gone for no-license.
Some of the results obtained under no
heing the added valuation, which nets the
city more than twice the rum revenue
without the stain of blood or honor. III
the auditor of Providence would like to
know how that sum can be made up he
Ii advised to study the history of Cam
bridge for the past 10 years. The num-
ber of new houses was emphasized, as
well as what that means in the way Of
business, trade, work, etc. The increase
ia savings banks nets almost half as much
again as formerly. Local trade Is flour
ishing and 267 of the leading dealers
signed statement that they never want
to see license aagin. The tramp industry
was discouraged and Of the persons ar
rested for drunkenness ii is shown that
large proportion belong in Boston.
Furthermore two thirds OF the public
school children do not know the sight OF
q saloon, except as they see 1t in Boston.
'Of course we have some kitchen bar
rooms in Cambridge" observed Mr.. Fox
croft, shut / understand you have few
in Providence.
Rev. Father Mundy, also OF Cambridge,
was the next speaker. He Is associated
with Rev. Father Thomas Scully of st.
Mary's Church. who has done more Wig
orous work for no-license than almost
any otberssman in the university city, and
he commands the respect OF persons OF
every creed. Rev. Father Mundy has not
been a laggard, either, but has been
great help. His remarks were right from
the shoulder, and there was no mistaking
the ring of sincerity in his utterance. He
began by saying that the unity that came
to Cambridge through the no-license
cause Is one OF the greatest blessings that
ever came TO that fair city. Corruption
endangers liberty and the corruption by
rum endangers human freedom. lie sa Id
that he spoke not alone as a Catholic
priest, but In the words, almost, OF the
ruler of the Catholic church. III any
friends of saloon keepers were present
who cared to know how TO help their
friends he would advise them TO 60 TO
them and plead with them to give up the
accursed business and try 10 earn an hon.
orable living. II they will not do that,
shoot them down with ballots. The
speaker said that IL he voted for license
he should expect to see a saloon at his next
door. and he could offer no objection.
IL father votes for the saloon he cannot
honestly object II hts son becomes a
drunkard. The clergyman concluded by
making strong plea for the home, and
especially the wives, mothers and chill
dren. Rev. Floyd w. Tomkins, Jr., Rev.
4. III. Decker and Rev. David Blanstein
made brief addresses for the sake OF the
cause and were enthusiastically received.