The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-01-29
REAT DESTROYER
kRTLlNC FACTS ABOUT
tE OF lNTEMPERANcE.

For tho Saloon - The Claim
Is the Poor Mans Club IL q
us Lie-Too Much Frequented
FounE.
wing is from an article entitled
bns of Pittsburg," contributed
|therhood Star by the Rev. DR..
loon is o menace to good gov
and the avowed and open en-
e church and the home. It has
lught down upon its own head
- brium of all good. citizens, and
are some who look upon it as
evil and lamely attempt its de-
grounds of so-called expediency.
he saloon furnishes a CHEEKY and
treat from the cares of the day,
Is in strong contrast to the dingy
the dirty and hot mill or factory,
the young man q place of socia-
d entertainment is conceded by
it's enemies, and by some writers
cen called The Poor Mans Club
IN contains only part of the truth
therefore, dangerous lie.
brilliantly lighted room, the daz-
hrrors and bar fixtures which are
present in saloons claiming any
of respectability are always men
but the bare floors covered with
Bawdust, the vile pictures which
pom the walls and the foul air laden
bscenity and profanity are usually
in singing the praises of the sa-
Nor is the gambling annex, which
N forms an important part of the
generally advertised. The Poor
Club sophistry does not prove that
Ii mans club is any less a menace to
bung men of Pittsburg than is the
saloon.
e plea of necessity for the accommo-
b Of the public which is heard annu-
d the license court, and is recognized
e Legislature in making laws provid-
|or the licensing of this evil, ostensi-
b restrict it, but really giving it an air
spectability, and the claim that it is
nvenient source of revenue to the
and county are both very transpar-
and will not 60 down with the stu
of political economy.
All that the saloon does for the pub
that the temperance house cannot do,
lad and only bad, and the expense en-
ed upon the honest taxpayer as the re-
of the saloon is far in excess of the
P,enue received.
The suggestion that the saloon is a
bstitute for the speak-easy. the opium
ID or the brothel is usually the last ditch
(which the interested defender of the sa-
IN takes a stand.
| "A visit to the saloons of Pittsburg dur.
the evening hours especially will reveal
E. fact that far too large portion of the
lung men of this city 60 there for amuse-
ent. This we claim is not entirely due
lack of better places. We have not
lard of the reading rooms, parlors of
of the Y. NJ. G. A., and sim
IT places of resort being overcrowdcd;
,r do we believe it fair to charge it to
e natural depravity of young men whd
i'd it easy to stray from the path of pur.
Y and temperance. Let us rather ask if
le real cause of danger does not lie in
e cloak of respectability assumed by
ason of its legal status and partnership
ith the State, and also too often on ac--
unit of the patronage by good people of
e restaurant with a saloon annex.
'The writer believes that all the much
lked-of substitute for the saloon will not
eet the issue successfully so long as the
loon exists as strong competitor. Tear
{ the mask and let this agency of Satan
Il, as fall it surely will by its own weight
corruption.
"Let the State wash its hands of the
hole business and no so.called 'sumptu-
y laws will be necessary.
"When the saloon is outlawed it can be
eated as a nuisance and soon abolished"