The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1903-08-28
Temperance and Finance.

1t may be we'll to pause and think of
:. -. the temperance question from fnan-
= cial standpoint. Is it a good policy
OF finance to license. Or in any way
assess fine upon, the joint-keeper,
and permit him to proceed with his
business! Does it pay a community
to permit the traffic within it's bor-
ders? Let this statement from the
mayor of our neighboring city of
Hutchinson, recently published in the
New York Outlook, answer this cues
ton:
For the first time in the history of
the city OF Hutchinson, the floating
debt OF the town has been reduced,
during the past two years. The street
fund has changed. from deficit of
$4,000 to surplus of $4,000, and the
general fund from a $4,000 deficit to a
$4,000 deficit. Not one dollar of Joint
money went into the treasury in this
time In the eight years prior, when
the saloons were running, the floating
debt was increased by $4,000. Of this
10000 was refunded and $4,000 was
LEFT FOR US to pay. During part of
that time as high as $1,000 a month
was collected from the Joints
I'm two years the criminal docket of
the district court originating from
Hutchinson has practically disap-
peared. The total costs to county and
city OF criminal cases originating in
Hutchinson for two years will be less
than 5000, against probably $4,000 to
SlOOOO for each two years prior under
the fine system of allowing saloons
to run.
''Tax levies have been reduced, vet
we voted one mill for a Carnegie Ii
brary, increased electric lights from
VT nnfu 81 IL
twenty-one additional water hydrants
and two miles of water mains to our
water plant.
We reduced the police force, and
our city has been free from the crimi-
nal element. A large portion of the
money formerly spent in saloons or
lost in gambling has gone into legiti.
mate trade, and our merchants ali re-
port increased business. During two
years not woman Or child has COM
planned that her husbands, fathers
or sons wages were spent in a saloon
or gambling den.''
A splendid record financially! A
surplus and decreased deficit, little if
any criminality, increased municipal
advantage and protection, reduced
police force, enlarging business ard
happy homes!
suppose our council collects fines
from three Or four jointists; what re-
suits! Another marshal is absolutely
necessary; our jails are full, which
means increased expense to the city
and county; accidents and damages,
which mean unlooked-for outlay of
money; money turned into Legitimate
channels, instead of increased COM
forts and better homes; loss of mental
and physical powers, which tell in
dollars and cents in the long run:
loss OF days of work because of few
hours debauch: general iucapacity
ana untrustwOrthiness. Does any one
have the face to affirm that two humid
red dollars, collected from many
Joints or from one legally licensed
saloon. would balance the expense
and loss accruing therefrom? Just
looking at the question from the dol
lar standpoint, would it pay to have
the outlawed traffic carried on in our
town?
This splendid record in Hutchinson
has been duplicated in many Kansas
towns, aud all because the city does
not allow the jointists to tear down
its fair name and prosperity.
F. P. STRONG.
1t flakes Difference.