The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-11-19
PROTEST AGAINST SALOONS.
Laurence j. Colman states the OBJ
iectionS Of Business Men.

The proposal 10 set VI. Two sa4oo'ls diosts
the central part OF the water mont met
with strong opposition among The property
owners ard representative business men
of the neigh oorhoOd concerned. TINS OPP
pears to have al least enough weight win
the city council to lay both Applications Tor
license on the table by a vote OF TO l.
One of the applications was tor saloon
10 be established at the Flyer dock. the
other al the Seattle ferry. The men who
flied the protest objected. not 10 the liquor
traffic per Sc, but for special reasons, 10
The choice OF these locations. Their views
were practically voiced Nv Laurence J.
Coirnan. who said last night:
An the large property interests IN the
neighborhood Of the two localities OBJ
jected 10 the establishment OF saloons
there. The Northern Pacific. the Seattle
Il international. the Yesler wharf, the
Colnan property. and. IN fact, every sub
staniial piece OF property near BY was
represented in this objection A large
number Of business men along Western
avenue We're Of the same mind. Other
men throughout the city have taken the
same position. Prominent among these |
might mention Harold Preston. A r.
Stewart John Fl. Powell. A. S. Burwei,
exMayor W. d. Wood and many others.
AS 1 have already intimated our oppo-
sit.on 10 the establishment Of these par
ticular saloons does not grow out of any
antagonsm to the lquor business in gem
eral. whatever may De our Individual con-
yictions on that subject l believe that
Is bad place for saloon. The very
term waterfront saloon carries with Il
an implication of the class of establish
ment apt 10 be set up along the bay.
Si.cb a location for saloons increases dan
ger III many ways.
ITO begin with. there is the danger to
life from passing railroad trains. Men
who have been keeping late hours In
places OF convivial II not of questionable
resort are not In the best condition to
take good care OF themselves when they
ct fSTsss
a network of railroad tracks where loco
motives and trains are constantly pass
ing.
again. the establishment of even re-
spectacle saloons along the water front
now would give precedent for worse re-
sorts. Among these the deep water OF
Elliott hay would afford al once shelter
from police espionage and convenient
receptical in which 10 bury all kinds of
criminal doings even up 10 murder itself
10 say nothing OF smuggling and gambling.
but mere are stu other reasons why
We have opposed saloon" at the Flyer
dock and ferry. AT present the water front.
from say Washington street to Madison
street, is sort of natural gateway into
water enter the city through this gate
way. To say nothing OF the moral aspect
OF the question. 1t would hardly be rood
policy .or the city TO cucumber this gate
Take the ferry. for Instance. The
school children, especially those large
enough 10 attend the high school. come
across from West Seattle. Is there a
parent in the city who would relish the
idea Of half-grown boys and girls having
To walt during the intervals at which the
boat runs, at the door of a water front
saloon? There are just as strong reasons
Tor Keeping saloons away from the FLYER
dock Many ladies stroll down there now.
either to enjoy view Of the bay to meet
friends or 10 take a marine jaunt to Ia
coma. Should thew be compelled against
Their viii 10 hnger al the very door OF a
water front saloon?
The saloon in its present limits has
ample opportunity for all legitimate pa
tronage. The best class of liquor dealers
themselves want their business under
proper police control. Another. though. OF
course. minor consideration against the
water front saloon is the additional ex-
pense which would be necessary TO secure
such police supervision