The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1897-09-17
THE REFORM BOARD.
what Has it Done in its Two Years
Administration.

what Has it Done in its Two Years
Administration.
EDITOR HERALD:AIf you will
allow me space in your valuable
paper, | desire to give you a few
plain facts, as see them, in regard
to the condition of Columbia at pres
ent, and what it was two years ago.
In the corporation election of 1895,
TIE issue was reform" and "anti
REFORM" The ticket known as the
Performers, was elected, and took
charge of the corporate affairs less
than two years ago. The question
now is, have they been true to the
name and intent which was in
trusted to them. Let us take a re-
Prospective view of what the city
government was when the "Reform
Board" went into power, and what
it is now. In November 1896, there
was in Columbia 81 saloons running
day and night; all doing-seemingly
"a prosperous business. Whisky
was sold openly in violation of the
state and city laws. For seven days
and nights in each week, young men
made these dens Of immortality their
haunts for debauchery and drunken
ness, and all the vices which drunk
enness leads to, and gambling was
carried on in defiance of law and
morality. Every device was re-
sorted to for the purpose of corrupt
ing and degrading the morals of the
boys and young men. The idea
seemed to be that "the lower the
morals of the men the better would
be the whiskey trade"
Such was the condition of the city
of Columbia in November 1896, and
such had been the condition for two
years or more.
In less than two years under the
rule of the "Reform Board" what is
the condition in 1897. There are to-
day twelve saloons; the saloons in
that short time having decreased
more than 40 per cent. Instead of
keeping open seven days in week
and "a hours day, as they did in
1896, they now keep open only six
days in the week and II hours day.
Now lets make a little calculation
! In 1895, twenty-One saloons open
seven days in a week, "a hours day,
making a total of 1898 hours each
week where the morals of men and
boys were corrupted.
In 1897, twelve saloons, running
six days in week, II hours each
day, making 1924 hours a week.
The temptation and opportunity
for drunkenness and debauchery
| In1 81
Is this reform? We say yes!
There are to-day in Columbia
seventeen or eighteen churches.
The white and colored voters belong
ing to these churches are not less
than seven hundred, and we-as
church members-claim to be fol
anything that will upbuild morality
or christianity. Church members
are we doing our christian duty?
That from christian standpoint
Now lets view it from business
standpoint.
Where is the man who would MOI
pay more for property in Columbia
today, than he would have paid as
matters stood two years ago. The
good cannot and will not go back
ward, but let us push upward and
onward until we reach the highes
standard Of morality.
In 1895, at almost every corner o
the square, crowds would gather
around those SALOONS on Sundays
and they were of such class thai
our wives and daughters felt q deli
cacy in passing them.
The mothers of Columbia should
feel an interest in this matter. How
many mothers in 1895 spent sleep
less nights while watching ant
waiting for her drunken son to com,
staggering home? But the Reform
Board has done what the prayer
and tears of mothers had failed tt
do; it has closed the doors of tn
saloons at Top. M, and after tina
time the boys have no place to allur,
them, and these temptations out o
their way, many of them have fallel
into better habits and are keeping
, earlier home going hours. Chris
tian men and women, do not thinl
the enemy dead! He is still Living
and working, and it behooves us al
to be up and doing. Let us not de
lay. Demonstration is the thief o
time" and opportunity. as well.
ONLY A VOTER.