Amador ledger., 1904-02-26
THE CRAVE FOR AMUSEMENT.

3 This is exemplified in the toddling
infant to the gray-haired sire. 1t is
natural for children to play. They
will work harder at play than in
some useful or gainful calling, but
while the latter may be irksome and
incongenial, they will continue their
amusement until thoroughly ex-
hausted. While this playful spirit is
perhaps the strongest during the
early years of life, it is also a very
S important factor in human affairs in
after years. Any political arrange
ment, or any reform movement that
loses sight of this distinguishing
& trail, will fail in actual practice The
spirit of amusement must be fed.
1t is the path of wisdom on the part
7 of governmental bodies to cater to
this disposition, rather than to seek
to suppress it. How is it that our
churches in many cases are filed
with empty seats, while at the same
time place of amusement is often
crowded to the doors, notwithstand-
ing that an admission fee is demand
ed for the latter, while the former is
free. Even our religious denomina-
tions are bound to recognize the
superior attractions of amusements.
+ When they wish to raise funds they
appeal to this fun-loving side of
human nature. They get up an en-
tertainment, and the more comical
and amusing it is, the better it is
calculated to draw the crowd.
A great deal is said about the
prevalence of saloons. There are
too many for the good of the COM
munity. Their number in this coun-
ty is looked upon as a great evil, aud
an agitation is in progress to cur
tail the evil. Perhaps it never oc-
CURED to many of those who sin
cerely, and very properly, deplore
the preponderance of saloons, that
this very evil is simply another illus
tration of the craving of human
nature for amusement. In small
country towns the saloon is the place
OF recreation, and too often about
the only place where the desire for
amusement can be gratifed. A
game of cards, or billiards, or some
other amusement is the magnetic in
tiuence. True. these things may in
the long-run lead up to the liquor
drinking habit; but we contend that
the love of amusement-nott the
craving for liquors. the main-stav
OF the saloon business. The craving
for intoxicants is an acquired habit;
, the craving for amusement is in
herent in human nature. The latter
cannot be suppressed; it must be
gratified. A very large percentage
of those who frequent saloons, do so
for the amusement afforded. They
have no taste for liquor; they would
probably much prefer to go else
where to appease the demand for
amusement; but the fact remains,
they go to the saloon because it is
about the only place that caters to
the fun-loving side of humanity. In
this manner, in scores of cases, the
drinking-habit is gradually acquired.
Now, it would seem to us that to
lessen the saloon evil it is necessary
to strike at the root of the matter.
1t is little use to appeal TO the legis-
lative power to place restrictions on
the saloon business, or even to clap
on a high license, for the purpose of
forcing the weaker concerns out of
business. 1t is quite possible to
accomplish a reduction of the num-
Der of saloons, without accomplishing
anything in the reform line. If
one half the number of saloons would
do the same amount of business as is
now being done in the liquor selling
line, we fail to see what good would
be accomplished thereby. The ap-
petite for strong drink, once ac-
quired, is difficult to overcome. 1t
will be appeased, whether the sa-
looms be many or few. Little can be
hoped for in the way of reforming
the chronic tippler. But we believe
much good might be done by provid-
ing amusements. Offset the saloons
in this respect, and the rising gen.
GRAFTON would, in a great measure,
gravitate toward such places in
preference to the saloons. A read.
ing room or club room, provided
with all kinds of innocent amuse.
ments, such as billiards, cards, chess,
draughts, with an entertainment OF
dance occasionally, would do much
to impart healthier tone to the
community. 1t is all important that
nothing of the austere or religious
spirit be in control of the move.
ment. A music hall has been start.
ed in Jackson, and some people are
up in arms because it draws a
crowd. They want it suppressed.