Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1904-09-23
On a Higher Plane.

An address OF President Morrison
OF the State Liquor Dealers Associa
ton, held in this city, last week, j.
quite different from the recommends
tions OF the heads OF similar orgapila
tons OF the past. In fact, it seems tc
be in exact line with the work o.
Bishop Potter of New York, and tie
English Earl Gray, who are engaged
IN the endeavor To remove many o.
objections to the saloon in an AMIGA
BILE manner, rather than by arousine
hostility from coercive measures.
\ few quotations from the addres:
will show its tone and temper. We
quote;
We should gladly welcome the time
when our City Councils and County
Commissioners throw off the yoke OF
political fear and revoke the licenses
OF disor,ierly resorts and disreputable
joints. The State laws and city or
finances are adequate and sufficient
to remedy much that is complained
Of, were they but rigldlv enforced. The
revocation Of one or two licenses of the
character OF resorts referred to would
act as wholesome lesson and do much
for the benefit of the trade in general.
The liquor dealers themselves are
in measure, responsible for a great
amount of the antagonism to the bust
ness. We must recognize that there is
an odium on the business which origi-
mated largely from the dive and from
disreputaDle and disorderly resorts, but
sweeping condemnation of all is not
Just. If the saloon is to remain neces-
sary social institution, it must divorce
itself from all that lowers it. AS the
poor mans club, or the rich mans club
the saloon has valid reason for ex-
istence; as a law-abiding retreat for
those who would rest, eat, drink, read,
it performs a useful mission as a place
OF light and warmth, of lavatories. tables
and telephone, OF the cOmmingling OF
creature comforts, it is legitimate. But
the vicious, hurdy-gurdy resort where
men are drugged and robbed, is a place
of contagiOn.
when man engages in the saloon
business he should feel the delicacy OF
his position, in view of the criticism on
the business, and endeavor to conduct
his place in a respectable and law-abid-
ing manner.
For the protection of his own bust
ness, every conscientious liquor dealer
should use his influence with his author
tiles against these vicious resorts. Re.
move the cause of the opposition to our
business, and much will be done to di
minish public antagonism. By our de-
pertinent teach the public that the
liquor dealers association is second to
no other organization in its desire for
better conditions politically, better con.
ditions morally, and better conditions
socially
1t is probably time that this effort
to reform the saloon business should
be made, for the "open city" as the
term is used in connection with Ger.
tain licenses and privileges, should be
frowned down unless it be decided
that destruction OF morals OF the ris
ing generation shall meet with nc
further protest.
1t will be noted that the election
OF Mr.. Morrison as President, indicates
that his policy finds little if any op
position from the membership. The
full list is IS follows:
President, James w. Morrison of Sc.
attic; Vice Presidents. Jack Wilmot Of
Spokane, James Gill of Seattle, Peter
Paulson of Ballard, J. J. Malone of Ia.
coma, w. G. Judson of Bellingham,
J. O'Hare of Aberdeen, j. A. Berdan
Secretary, A. Gerbel of Seattle; Treas
urer, John G. Sieborbaum of Port Town
send; Sergeant-at-Arms, A. L. Barton
of Seattle; Guard, William MCGOWAN OF
Olympia; Executive Committee-Jacoh
Betz of Walla Walla. A. NJ. Lane OF
Bellingham, James Weir of Seattle,
Tom Johnson of Spokane, John Con.
dron of Spokane, Sid Dundas of Tacoma
Delegates to the National Liquor Deal
ers' Convention at st. Louis next month
Thomas johnson of Seattle, J. j. Ma.
lone of Tacoma, James Hickey of LII
Conner.