Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-06-21
The Saloon OCTOPUS.

10 al American saloon! FOL
what end does it exist? BY wha,
methods does it accomplish these ends
what is the duty of Christian con
corning it?
The saloon, as we find it in this coun-
try, Is wholly an American institution.
intoxicating liquors were unknown to
the aborigines. The story of the first
drink taken by an Indian chief, the
CONSERVATION of his people when it re-
suited in drunken stupor, is full of
pathetic interest. Later noting the
baleful Influence upon his people, the
chlef said TO his white brother, you
are the cause of all this evil.''
The saloon of today is part of an
immense, organized system. This sys-
tenn is manipulated by the Beer Brew
ers association and the whiskey trust
II has its official organs, its conven-
tons. its officers and rules. For soli-
darlty and vigilance, we have not its
equal in any corporation in The coun-
try II is. without doubt. the most
powerful factor in American politics.
The saloon is the avenue by which
this organization reaches the people.
Its location, equipment, management.
and associations are all arranged with
the one purpose of enticing and en-
sharing the individual, not for his COM
fort or profit, but to get his money,
giving in return not one useful, neces
sary, or even harmless commodity
SO to the home of patron of a bak-
cry ard see the rosy children eating
their bread and milk. Go to the home
- - =. rr~tz.
song of the mother is accompanied by
the clicking of the machine as the
seams of the comfortable clothing are
sewed. Go to the home of the patron
IF the saloon. No need to describe the
scene
This saloon prostitutes manhood, robs
humanity of it's birthright, rouses SEN
sual passion, henumbs the faculties,
curses the individual, ruins the family,
destroys the soul. 1t gives not one COM
pensating good as an offset for this
long catalogue of evils.
So well known are these evil results
that churches, schoolhouses, and we'll
to-do residences are carefully guarded
from the near proximity of saloon.
Insurance companies, recognizing these
facts, pronounce the saloon an unsafe
risk" Real estate owners require a
larger rent if the premises are to be
used for saloon purposes. Recently an
Increase from $500 to $4,000 was asked.
The utmost vigilance is necessary to
prevent law breaking. For Illicit SELL
ing saloons have back doors, side doors,
aQertures, family entrances" Not I'M
commonly. saloons have attachments
in the rear or upstairs where mer-
chandise is made Of prostitution, and
gambling is carried on.
This is the institution that American
voters are invited year after year to
perpetuate by their ballots, and they
do it.
BY What methods does it accomplish
its work The saloon has endless strate-
gy by which to allure and entrap the
utsNary and secure patrons. 1t is one
of the well-defined policies to create
appetite Experience has shown that
tllunkards either die early or become
TOO poor to be supporting customers.
1t is necessary, therefore. to inveigie
youth into taking the first drink. Sa-
loom keepess learned experlmentally,
long before scientists proclaimed the
fact to The world, that it is the nature
Of q little alcohol to create a.deslre Tor
more. They could web afford to invest
some capital in the way of free drinks
10 the end that an appetite may be
created that, Cnce created, VIII pour
yr,i into their Golfers. This is the OBJ
iect Of free lunches and of the distri-
button of fancy bottles tied with RIB
bon and filed with liquors at fairs.
saloons are made brilliant Win every
device for attracting the eye and ear
10 draw in the uninitiated. Confec-
fienery is manufactured filed with
LIQUOR. Agents arc sent to the depots
to act the part Of Mephistopheles To
youth arriving in the great CITY from
country homes.
Way does the saloon exist? SO far as
the saloon keeper is concerned, 1t exists
for the money that is in it. On the part
of the voter. it exists for revenue II IS
a copartnership to ruin humanity Tor
,.ary,aU