Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-05-08
10 W A Is LEADER
The First Government to Declare
Drunkenness a Disease.
Eth. ABRAMS EXPLAINS STATE LAWS
Delivers Address at Union Mass Meet.
ing Held in First Methodist Episco-
pal Church Last Evenins-Tells of
Legislative Work of League.


[From Mondays Daily.]
'Iowa today leads the world in the
matter of temperance legislation" said
II. H. Abrams in his address delivered
at tho union mass meeting held last
evening in the First Methodist Episco-
pal church in this city. ut has de-
clared by law, passed at the last ses,
sion of the legislature that drunken.
ness Is disease and has provided for
treatment of it as SUCH" continued he.
Mr.. Abrams has served for number
OF years as the chairman of the legis-
lative committee of the Anti-Saloon
league Of Iowa and during these years
of experience he has gathered much
information with regard to the affairs
of temperance within the bounds OF
the state. In his address he told Of
the work Of the Anti-Saloon league
throughout the state and showed somes
thing of what it is accomplishing.
The Meeting.
The meeting last evening was held
in the interest Of the Anti-Saloon
league movement. Four churches of
the city, First Presbyterian, First Bap
tist First Congregational and First
Methodist Episcopal united in the ser,
vice. Each of the congregations was
we'll represented and the auditorium OF
the Methodist church was we'll filled.
DR.. A. e. Craig took charge OF ti,'
opening cerv;ces. The invocation was
offered by Rev. F. F. Stoltz. poster of
the First Presbyterian church, and the
scripture lesson was read by Rev. P.
a. Johpron. pastor Of the First Congre.
gational church. DR.. A. e. Craig in a
few appropriate remarks Of introduce
ton spoke OF the work of the league
and stated that its object could only
be accomplished by earnest persistent
effort on the part Of the members.
External vigilance" said he, is the
price to be paid for victory
II. H. Abrams address.
H. H. Abrams in his address last ev-
ening at the mass meeting held in this
city said in part as follows: Il was
more than pleased when l came to
your city few weeks ago to find that
the work of the Anti-Saloon league
was bringing good results, was glad
to observe that the back doors of the
saloons were closed and to learn that
they were all observing the closing
hours. The Anti-Saloon league stands
for the ultimate abolition of the liquor
traffic. This is the one great object
toward which all the efforts of the
members should tend and with the con
tinued efforts this is what will be &C.
complished.
Union of Forces.
at is fact quite noticeable
that in the fight against the liquor
traffic in this state the time has come
in which there is no division along
party lines. The time has come when
this question is no longer party issue
but whatever legislation is carried
through is done without regard to par
ty. During the last session of the To-
wa legislature there was no distinction
of party, no party caucuses were held
on the question of temperance legisla-
ton and the members Of all parties
We're united in the interest if the legis-
lation that was carried through. 1t is
also quite noticeable in the Iowa legis-
lature that the saloon keeper no longer
has any more influence among the
members of the assembly than the
temperance people.
Danger Point Passed.
"From the year 1894 until the TWEEN.
passed laws which in a measure loos.
From a review of the general senti.
nent of the state two years ago, at the
time | began the work on the legisla.
,ol,
there was danger that the prohibition
laws would be repealed and that the
state would be given up to open sa
looms. At that time l was given sever
al good suggestions by man who had
for twelve years been in charge of the
saloon lobby in the legislature. He
said, There is one thing about the
temperance people that when they
elect man they send him to the leg
islature and do not keep sight of him
during his term of office. On the con
trary when the saloon men get man
in the assembly they keep right after
him and follow him throughout his ca
the best suggestions l received and
to be sure of man was to follow him
closely.
Temperance Bills Passed.
During the last two sessions Of the
legislature the temperance forces have
been gaining ground. Two years age
there were five bills presented by the
liquor element, of which all were los
and of the five presented by the Anti
Saloon league four were passed. Foul
were brought up by the whisky ele
ment at the last assembly of which al
were lost and two of the six offered by
the Anti-saloon league have been made
laws. This is a fact for which thu
temperance people of the state may BIZ
thankful, that during the past few
years they have succeeded in securin.
six state laws in favor of the prohibi
ton of the liquor traffic.
Corporations Help.
at is noticeable fact and one tina
should give the temperance worker
of the state great deal Of satisfao
hot bo nd