The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1901-07-26
TAKING UNFAIR ADVANTAGE

The whisky men and their confede-
rates are in1ulging in the usual tommy
rot about the officers of the law
using "unfair means" to catch them.
The Herald does not complain at or
censure the whisky dealers for this or
any other argument they may use to
their advantage. They are fighting for
their lives, as they think. They know
and fully realize that the curse of God,
the frown of society, the edict of the law
and the pleadings of humanity are all
against their business And in many
instances perhaps in most instances
the pleadings of their own good mo h.
ers, and wives, daughters, sweethearts
and sisters, are added to these plead
ings of common humanity. But they
are in the business and don't know how
to get out. They have neither fai b in
God nor enough confidence in them
selves, to give them courage to turn
loose and make an effort for something
better, higher and nober. They should
not escape condemnation, but they are
to be pitied as we'll for their unfor
tunate environments.
But what does make US tired, and the
class for whom we have no sort Of tolera-
ton, are the back door patrons and sly
COME derates in ci izens' uniforms, who
are always ready to find some way OF
being with the saloon element "this
time" while SIMULTANEOUSLY pretend
ing to be always against them.
If you want to raise the saloon priv
lege license, sit amt fair" they say, "be-
cause these men have rented their
houses, bought their furniture, and
have families tc support" At critical
times always at critical times
they become so terribly just and
fair, these confederates do, that they
forget entirely the ninety and nint
happy homes, impoverished, bIightet
and ruined by the liquid poison from
one saloon.
But if the license question is settled,
and an effort is made to lessen the
legal hours of the rum shop, sit ain
fair because they have paid their Ii
cense. And you may remind then
all you please, that these licenses art
issued with the distinct understanding
not only implied but expressed, that tn
municipality has the right to regulate
the hours and you may argue with then
that communities have the inheren
right to protect themselves against an,
and all influences dangerous and dead
ly to the peace, prosperity and happi
ness of the people; bat with damnable
Katy-did iteration they will only re
ply "Im as much against them as any
body, but l believe in treating ther
fair.
And now the talk is that it was res
down right sneaky in City Marsha
Latta not to ring bell or send tn
Sunday tipplers word of his coming.
1t is all right for the whiskey deale
to have pickets and outposts and cleo
trio alarm bells. 1t is all right fC
: him TO divide his room up into part:
and shed his back window and curtai
his back door and place sentinels
r his back yard. Ii is all right for hin
not only to violate the law both of GC
and man to debauch young boys an
r make beasts of men. but lit aint fair
p for the officer to lay in wait and NAL
5 secret plans to detect and catch hin
y That is the sort Of tommy rot tn
makes us tired.
/ And next comes the proposition
e compromise. When man plea
" guilty. and cOnfesses his fault an
i promises not TO do 50 any more. it
d christian. yOu know. to be mercif
.e and forgive. Just as II he won
re plead guilty. If be did not know tn
h the proof was dead against him. Ju
he e. II he would confess, if he thong