The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-04-11
THE SALOON IN POLITICS.
The Drink Problem Discussed.
BY REV. JAMES GoRToN.

sideration. First, the appeal that is
made through the saloon traffic to the
depraved physical passions and appe-
tites Of men. Second, the money max
ing factor. Third, the political factor.
These are each mighty. The third fac.
tor may be said to be nothing more than
natural and corrupt outgrowth of the
first two. 1t might be added as fourth
factor, that the saloon becomes the nat
ural rendezvous and head quarters of
vice and crime, the powerful ally and
promoter Of all the corrupt and degrad
ing influences and com binations in poll.
tice and society.
There seems to be general consen-
Gus of opinion that the saloon is fix
ture-it is here to stay, it cannot be
rooted out and utterly destroyed. And
hence the license policy for financial
consideration, to the corporation grant
ing the license, which is most power
full appeal to the selfshness and cupidity
of the tax payer. and has done more than
anything that has ever been attempted
to propagate the saloon, to deepen its
power, to fix and fasten it's existence up
on society.
In a great city three millions of dol
lars are raised by saloon license toward
defraying the expense of running the
city government, and diminishing the
taxes that would otherwise have to be
levied on the general public, and especi-
ally on the rich. This is powerful ap.
peal to the selfshness and cupidity of
men; and apparently only very few
men, rich or poor, seem to be able to
withstand the temptation to become it's
advocates.
A Civic Federation''of the wisest and
best men of city is organized to pro-
mote purity and to prevent corruption
in politics.
Do they ever think of touching the
saloon? Do they ever think of chal-
longing it's right to exist? Do they ever
declare that it is morally outlawed
lu5tltutiOui duO OuShb W wi ohSs - ASS
be destroyed, root and branch?
How can a civic federation do any
thing Of consequence or permanency to-
ward the publication Of politics and the
prevention of injustice fraud and corrup-
tion, so long as it deals only. or almost
entirely, with effects, and dares not, or
dooc not touoh tho cauae9
Do not men say.-Well, we cannot do
without the saloon. 1t has become a
financial necessity to our corrupt and
extravagant city government.
1t pays three millions of dollars of our
taxes, and relieves us Of an enormous
burden?"
But is not this intellectual and moral
short-sightedness?
Would not many more millions OF
dollars than we get from the saloons be
saved to US in the vastly increased pro-
ductiveness of the people, and other
millions saved which are now expended
in criminal litigation. and in the charit-
able care of those who are directly or in
directly ruined by the saloon. or made
permanent burdens on society and a per-
manent peril to society? Is not the sa-
loon license business costly experiment
both in money and morals. as we'll as in
everything that belongs to the we'll
being and happiness of the individual
and of universal society?
No selfish, corrupt, or pothouse poll
tician wants the saloon to die. Many
ambitious and partisan politicians who
do not drink and who do not patronize
the saloon, yet find it the most conven-
lent and powerful instrument where
with to purchase votes and WELD politi-
cal influence in such emergencies as are
always happening in elections.
Now, suppose the civic declarations.
the ministers and church members. all
the temperate, honorable. level headed
business men of the country, and OF
every city,-suppose all the most honor
able and philanthropic, and incorrupti-
BILE men and women of the land. should
unitedly say,-"The saloon must go
money or no money-it must go. 1t is
the supreme fountain of corruption, and
the supreme curse of human society,"
How long could the saloon exist? Would
not such union of sentiment find union
of methods? Would they not say to the
ambitious, corrupt and partisan politi
cian.-"Get out OF the way?
Would they not say this to all indi
viduals, organizations and interests that
are in the way?
But is it not more than questionable
judging from their actions. whether
these various classes of good people
want the saloon to go?
They would not keep saloon them.
selves; but, in sustaining the policy Of
license, are they not the indirect and or
iginal keepers of all the saloons? Are
they not the parties that are responsible
for the existence of the saloons?
One writer has we'll said that the
most discouraging thing about trying to
do good in the modern world is the CO.
hesiveness of evil. and the divisive ten
dency Of the good.
Wendell Phillips, although an clio
quent champion Of manhood suffrage