Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1904-10-22

ize those who do not believe as we
do, but we propose to treat them with
fairness, and we expect the same
from those who are disposed to criti.
else. We are sincere in the belief
that local option in precincts would
be failure as we are that It would
be a success If it becomes a law by
counties. We have previously stated
that we believe local option, under
certain conditions, will be a success.
and we say so yet.
Every saloonkeeper in Sllverton
knows how we stand upon this sub
ject, and we always feel free to state
our candid opinion upon any subject,
but unlike some of our predecessors,
we DO not claim to be the only au.
thority upon this subject nor do we
consider a person destitute Of reason
because he may not look at the mat.
ter in the same light that we do. This
is a mark of sellshness that we are
happy TO acknowledge does not exist
within the humble person of the
writer. We are not above criticism,
by any means, but we dislike to be
chastised for giving expressions upon
subjects which we believe to be for
public good.
We do not approve of the use of
liquor, nor the sale OF 1t, but we are
not unwisely interested in the defeat
of this which has overtaken our wide
awake little city in measure which
will upbuild another community at
our very door, and multiply the evils
of the saloon at our door. Not only
is this the case in Silverton, but prac-
tically the same conditions exist in
other parts of the state.
Local option in this precinct would
be the means Of closing the saloons
of Silverton, which is all very well
as far as that goes, but in this event
comes increased taxation. This we
would willingly submit to, II our
neighbors could realize the same sat
isfactory results, for the sake OF the
boys and girls, but to be placed
against such conditions, realizing
that our neighboring towns are in
creasing their revenues as a result
of our closed saloons and increased
taxation. together with the fact that
their evil surroundings have been in
creased from the same results, would
not seem to be fairness TO ourselves
nor our neighbors. However, If we
can SO fix the measure that the sa-
looms of our neighboring towns will
be closed at the same time, 1t will be
a mission highly commendable by all
the intelligent people, and for one for
which we could willingly sacrifice the
revenue OF tho saloon. It would be a
feature in the home missionary move
ment worthy OF the praise OF every
temperance worker, every Christian
and intelligent thinking person.
This argument that the local op-
tlon movement in this state would
do great injustice to the general lines
OF business Is only a weak argument
In the hands OF those who are inter
ested in the welfare OF their own In
terests. But suppose this be true,
who is now willing To sacrifice some
Of his worldly interests for the sake
Of the young man?
Let Il be understood that the writer |
Is in favor OF local option, but not so
local that IL will deprive us OF the
benefits and give them to
others in our own yard. Not the kind
that will increase our own taxation |
and lessen that OF our neighbors; not
The kind OF local option that will re-
move the evils of the saloon from one |
place and increase them in another
at our side; but we are in favor OF
that will remove the evils
rom the entire county and state. and
lntil We can establish such a meas
ire We might better let the matter
est as II Is and increase our efforts
or good In some other manner.
We are not aloue in this opinion,
Is win be manifested at the polls on
he eighth OF November. There are
hundreds OF good conservative people
n the state OF Oregon who are awake
o the necessity OF doing something