The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-07-11
A WORD To THE BUSINESS MEN
OF RALEIGH.


There are three opinions among the
good citizens of Raleigh on the matter
of regulating the liquor traffic:
l. There are those who favor abso-
lutte prohibition.
2 There are those who favor the
dispensary as the best solution.
8. There are those who favor high
license with stringent regulations.
These three classes embrace the citi-
zenship that counts, that has the best
interests of Raleigh at heart. and that
will always control the affairs or the
city If they are united. TWO years
ago the prohibitionists and believers
i'm the dispensary made common cause
TO shut up the saloons. In this they
had the help of some others who pre-
ferred a system where the selling OF
liquor would be restricted to a rev
places under rigid regulations Inc
operations of the dispensary have con-
confirmed the faith of those
who believe il to be the only prac-
tical system. Some high license
as good as high license under the best
regulations and restrictions, and better
than high license under such regula-
tions as would probably be secured
all the time. They are averse to gong
back to the old system. The PROM
bitionists regard the dispensary as in
finitely better than multiplied saloons.
;rl, haQQnSQ
il decreases drinking and drunkenness,
and because a return to open saloons
means also a return to the saloon ele-
ment in politics. A few more years
with the saloon out of business Will
make that element unable to dictate
in any political conventions. 1t stu
has power because all these months
the saloon element has been working
to secure new lease of power in
October.
The only proposition that will come
before the voters this year is: Snail
We replace the dispensary with sa-
looms? Upon that proposition every
practical prohibitionist every dispen-
sary advocate. and all the high license
men who advocate that as the best
wav to manage the evil ought to stand
shoulder to shoulder. If they divide
because they do not agree upon the
best plan to suppress or minimize the
evil, they invite return OF the sa-
looms and a renewal of the saloon in
fiuence as a dangerous element IN
politics. Can they afford to do this?.
Is it wise for these three elements, en-
bracng the moral worth and business
enterprise of the city. to permit an
unnecessary agitation which will do
no good to any business interest of
the city?
1t came out yesterday that de-
termined effort will be made to order
an election i'm October for saloons.
Some people signed the petition De-
cause they understood they could vote
in the election either for prohibition,
dispensary or saloon. AS matter OF
fact as will be seen by reading the
petition. the election requested would
permit voting only for the saloon or
FOR the dispensary. Let that fact be
known.
If the election is ordered, the liquor
interests will pour money into the
campaign in an attempt to debauch
the voters Do We wish, with no rea-
son except to let saloon keepers make
money, to invite such campaign IN
Raleigh this year? Would it not be
wisest to let we'll enough alone? There
is no demand for an election except
such as has been pumped up by ex-
saloon keepers.
The best sentiment in Raleigh is that
no agitation or election ought to be
held this year. Therefore, we venture
to appeal to every good citizen in
Raleigh. whether he favors prohibit
ton, dispensary or high license, at this
time to decline to sign a petition that
vii have no effect except to bring about
IAN agitation and bitterness that ought
to be avoided.
Refuse to sign the petitions and
let us refuse to have a hot campaign.
That is not needed or demanded!
Don't sign the petition!