The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-04-02
A FUTILE CHARGE AND a SIG
NIETCANT ADMISSION.

/
There is one phase of the anti
saloon fight which is now being waged
in Asheville that should challenge the
thoughtful consideration of every good
man in North Carolina. That is the
claim made by certain saloon keepers
that on last election day they lent their
support to the Democratic candidates
upon the understanding or idea that
their business would not be interfered
with AS the claim is put forth by
those who are fighting for the main
tenance of the bars, involving as it
does charges against some of the best
men in North Carolina. who led the
fight to victory in Buncombe, and who
have earned the respect and admira-
ton of the whole State, it amounts to
little, for the reason that the character
of the men whose integrity is sought
to be impeached is above cElumny
from any source, and little Importance
will be placed in the effort of bar
room interests to be-smirch it.
AS a more or less abstract PROPOSE
ton, however. but one having most
serious practical bearing on the vital
question of pure politics and the con-
scientious exercise of opinion, the
claim is of a sort to teach a moral that
should be universally enforced. If
what the saloon keepers say were true
in every respect, the fact would be the
best of arguments for the adjustment
of the business in which they are en-
gagged. What does the claim mean in
it's analysis? Simply that the keep
ers. of the saloons are advertising them
selves as having voted for certain men,
not from principle, not by reason of
any fealty to party or to good gov
crnment-but because they counted
on political protection in the conduct
of a business within the police power
of the State and city, regardless of the
peoples will. If that be true, it is a
duty of the city of Asheville to wipe
out the bar-rooms on that count alone.
Such a class has in it the worst ele-
ments of political and municipal de-
bauchery. It's influence is a menace
to the community, it's continuance a
disaster to common honesty and pub
lie rights Examine the admission
implied in the charges of these saloon
keepers. What does it mean, except
that they are ready and willing to pur-
troll as a class the duty of the men
who are supposed to be elected by the
people? That is an abuse of power
which ought to win for any class or
profession or clique of men who at
tempt to exert it the prompt punish
ment which will clip it's claws. The
saloon and its influences constitute
the worst class in any community It's
influence is the most demoralizing.
The fact that the AshevilIe bar-keep-
ers are now pretending to have
bought protection against the wishes
of the people from particular politi-
clans is merely the proof of the charge
that has been brought everywhere
against the saloon by temperance ad-
vocates, that it tended to the exertion
of a malign control and the thwarting
of the public desire for decency and
morality.
The heightened men who led the
Buncombe Democracy and stood in
the Legislature for good government
of every sort cannot be hurt by
charges that they have failed to keep
the faith of an alleged agreement
with the open bar, when they engage
in a fight for good government at
home.
AS class the saloon man is gener-
ally something of a power; as an in
dividual, with his means of corrup-
ton gone, his influence is something
less than that of a last years birds
nest. To use his influence as a club
is but to court destruction.