The Lafayette gazette. [volume] (Lafayette, La.) 1893-1921, 1898-11-26

hQprOpOSltlOn that the liquor traftlc is a
recognized evil and is properly placed under
certain restrictive means by the State with
power given the parochial and municipal
authorities to enact still further legislation in
the interest of society and good govern
ment? The Police Jury proceeding under
the provisions of the constitution adopted
after due deliberation without suggestion
influence from any source and IN spite of
the efforts of Hon. ]. O. Broussard and
others a license tax of $1,000. Representa-
tive saloon men did all in their power to
prevent this action but failed to make any
impression upon the minds of the jurors.
Is it at ali likely that the jury, with stiron
Acadian'' blood coursing through their
viens, could have developed by some
magical transformation into an austere
and Purtanical body, intent upon
destroying ''Democratic principles" and
ssinalienable rights of American citizens,
etc. say not. I contend, and the facts
of the case bear out the assertion, that the
Jury acted not only conscientiously and in
behalf of good morals but in the interest of
the material prosperity of the parish. I
peat the indictment formulated in my pre-
vious article that the liquor traffic is curse
and blight to our conntry----in the eloquent
words of Prof. Il. II. Broussard saloons
ssdens of iniq uity.'' What stronger Ian
suage could be u2el in denuncia,ion of the
traffic than that employed by Prof. Brous-
sard in the lecture quoted! Don't dodge
the issue my friends by trotting ont before
the public your Pedigrees, political and
otherwise; arouse yourselves from that
gruesome nightmare which seems to have
fastened itself on your minds, tear aside the
dispicable mask and let us get at the hydra
headed monster itself-''Dens of inquity.'
Let the liquor traffic stand its
merits. If it is beneficial to our town and
country, if it makes men stronger and
better, if it makes home happier and richer,
if it Restraints people from crimes and de.
bauchery, if it is clevating and refining in
its influence, in fine if has a single redeem
ing feature, Q my friends bring it forward
and shall exclaim together in ecstatic
delight, Eureka!
. 1 repeat also my regret that three gentle
men prominently connected with the public
school system of our parish should have
taken SO active part in the interest Of the
grogshops. Do not gentlemen know the
law relative to instructions in our schools
on the subject of alcoholic beverages? Can
it be expected that any teaching with ex-
ample in qualification will ever accomplish
the manifest object of the law-strong con
stitutions, full mental and moral develop
ment and good citizenship? I shall not at
tack motives of gentlemen but it does APP
pear strange indeed that they should SO
prominently identify themselves with the
saloon interest Sordid and selfish consicl-
Grafton should not be permitted TO govern
action in social political afiairs--in affairs
affecting for good evil the whole country.
I impugn the motives of no man but if gen
position assumed by them they have failed
to make them Known. Bring forth the eN-
cellent qualities of those s'dens of in:qy1ity''
SO that all may give good reason for the
sales of liquor now going on according to
Hon. J. Q. Broussard. l shall say little but
would advise that all information be laid
before the grand jury at its next session.
There doubt exsts-a very genera! viola
ton of the law. in this respect, may
he seen by reference to the criminal docket
OF the district court Tor several years past.
The record Will show who the persons
;,,t "a, nfi,C It,,.
must forbcar.
In conclusion allow M TO say that in !:
previous article signed nom de plume
under the impression that my identity
But as my friends have limited at some
wicked lawyer ''illy'' advising, his clients T
hereby assume all responsibility and ci'al-
icngc rcfutation Of Il single point. AS is
we'll known have been engaged in school
teaching for g years in this parish. During
his period have has! opportunity to study
and note the bancful effects of the liqu".
traffic among the good people of our par!.A.
have come to 4 full realization of the awful
consequences of this evil on the mental.
moral and physical being and God i,}r!iG
that ] should ever fail to utter my proio"u'5
est convictions on the subject AS teacher
] realize that SO long boys and young
men are entced and nvciglcd into the sa-
loon with all its attendant vices, long Is
parents and public officials advocate
countcnancc the ncfarous business, cduca-
tiCn Will come 10 l;eUSNt w nat "ou.ti
you say of a man who desiring to build a
house, set part of his workmen to eou-
struction and the larger number to 9sstruc-
ton?
Here is what President Dcpcw Of the New
Norl. Central Railroad says on this point in
slcaking of young men who started in life
with him: 'tSomc Of them became clerks,
merchants, manufacturers, lawyers, and
doctors. 1t is remarkable that every one
who drank is dead; not one living of my
age Barring a few cases taken of by sick
ness every one that proved wreck and
wrecked his family did it from rum, and no
other cause. = When a man be
comes cebascd with gambling, or
drink, he doesn't All his finer feel
ines are crowded out Why develop the
lofty faculties of and then give him
the Circc's cup to transform him to the low
est of bcasts--a hog?
must however close and in doing 50 per
nit me to assure all who disagree with nc
on this question that l have intended
nothing personal, but simply wished to de
nouncc q traffic which is abominablc it
is destructive. X. G. GREIG.