The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1902-1905, 1902-02-20
THE w. G. T. U. OF FLORIDA
OPPOSES A DISPEN-
SARY SYSTEM.
An Open Letter to the People
of Florida.

Oh II FlOfluas
We, the undersigned, representing
the Woman's Christian Temperance
Union of Florida, regret the evident
trend of opinion toward the delusion
that the dispensary system is tenn
perance measure, and step in the
direction of prohibition.
Twenty years ago the same condi-
tion obtained in regard to high lie
ense, and many mistaken Christians
voted for it. Time has dispelled the
last-named delusiOn, as it viii (as it
has in South Carolina and Georgia)
the first. No moral question can be
settled by compromise. 1t must
be settled on the eternal principles
of truth and right or it will be an
unsettled, shifting, vexing problem.
We are opposed TO the dispensary.
First-Because it puts the state
in the compromising, ignominious
position of a barkeerer. els it NOR
ally wrong to sell liquors? Then the
state at least should keep her hands
clean.' 1t is wrong and we will not
consent to be partners in wrong.
Second-Because it is monopoly,
and mOnopOlies are undemocratic,
un-American and contrary to the
genius of our institutions and an
tagonistic to the traditions of the
past and the principles of the fathers
of American liberty. 1t is the es-
sence of imperialism.
Third-Because the experience of
the state and towns which have tried
the dispensary system, proves that
it does not decrease intemperance:
that the amount of liquors sold in
Athens, Ga, where it had the long
est and fairest trial, has increased
over 30 per cent, while the popula-
tiOn has increased but per cent;
that the restrictive features of the
law in South Carolina have been
disregarded by degrees, until now,
with the exception of two or three,
it is the same as the open saloon;
that sales are made to minors and
drunkards; that in many dispensar-
les liquor is drunk on the premises,
and, whereas, the salary of the dis
penser was once stated and regular,
regardless of sales, now it is declared
by high authority that salaries de-
pend to a great extent on the quanti-
tity of liquor disposed of. ''How
can a state official be made more
responsible than the man our present
law says must be good citizen"
Fourth-The fact that it is lauded
as a scheme to escape the legitimate
burdens of government, that it will
fill the treasures of towns and coun-
ties and relieve taxpayers, is it's
greatest OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES it
debauches the consciences of voters,
and bribes them into acquiescence in
a great evil, the traffic which has
destroyed more lives than war, pes
thence and famine"
We call upon all true, patriotic,
Christian citizens to scorn the bribe
and to refuse to coin the blood and
tears and sighs and means of women
and children into the DEVILS gold.
Because sentence against an evil
work is not executed speedily, there
fore the heart of the sons of men is
fully set in them to do evil" (Eccle.
viii, H.
Praying that Florida will be warn
ed by the sad and well-nigh hopeless
example of her sister state, an ex-,
ample temperance women in South
Carolina beg us to shun, and educa-
tors deplore, we are yours for God
and home and native land.
ALICE G. BROWN,
President.
MINNIE E. NEAL,
Corresponding Secretary.