The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1905-01-06
DID 1T EVER
OCCUR TO YOU
A Few Thoughts On the Liquor oues-
tion, By One Who Ought to Know
At Least a Little About 1t.

! have been asked, or rather it mas
been suggested to me, that I write some
thing on the liquor question, r whiskey
habit, which ever you wish to cali it.
In an article necessarily limited as TO
space at my disposal in daily paper II
is impossible to cover all the points
would wish to touch upon. am not
certain that my style of treating the
subject will even meet with the appro-
baton of the friend VINO mad, the sug-
gestion. But such as ii is, it is the
experience of one VINO has been "alI
along tine line and knows all the ropes
The heading of this article is the
question: Did it ever occur to you.
Did what ever occur to you, my dear
friends, who are so much interested in
the morals and welfare of your fellow
mortals?
Did it ever occur to you when
thinking of this all absorbing question,
that it takes two to make trade? Dill
you ever think that the saloon keepe,
could not make sale, If there was no
one TO buy? Did you ever tank thar
the man whom you abuse as maker of
drunkaris was much better citizen
very often tnan the fellow who occupies
the nigh seat in the synagogue" on
Sundays, and Is ready the first thing on
Monday morning to CHEAT your eyes out
in a morse trade. or any other trade.
for that matter believing with David
Harum: DO unto Others as they wish
Ito do unto YOU; and do it to them first
am not an apologist for the man Who
keeps bar. am not engaged in or
connected with tine whiskey business in
any way. but merely write That which
l do know.
In fact il the trade could be abolished
by any honest and honorable means,
would be one of the strongest advocates
OF its abolition. But this idea is aS-
surd. | do not believe as many DO.
that the cause of crime and suffering l.
to BE- laid at the door of the saloon
keeper. do not believe that saloon
keepers are all saints and That barteni-
ers are young angels whose wings ars
Just sprouting, for their ranks contain
botn bad and good, just the same as
lany other business. but ! do believe
there are many good men in both ranks.
Men whose reputation for sobriety and
charity; men with the milk of human
kindness in their souls, whose heart
goes out to the suffering in time of need.
will rank with many in tine land.
Then. dear frienjsi sweet friends!!
why do We abuse tnemf They are en-
gagged in legitimate traffic authorized
and licensed by Law.
In his city Of Clarksburg / find it
costs as follows to engage in this call
ing per year:
County license ........... 1882 so
Il
City License ............... sol 90
Making a total of .. 1858 so
| Besides all that ne igives a bond of
Ss.0O0.00 which costs from a trust and
guaranty company $500 more, guaran-
t.eeing that he will conduct an orderly
land respectable house. There were, ac-
Icording to the city directory OF 1904
LIZ doing business under sanction Of the
law and guaranteed its full protection.
+ Then. on. then! gentle reader, why
do we not 90 after the honorable gen
tlemen who MAKE the laws? Yes. WY
10 we abuse those who live up TO tacse
laws in every respect. and when their
authors appear at churca on Sunday
with immaculate attirel Why ar they
led up by the ushers TO the best pew.
where tne congregation and pastor can
see thpm2
remember bearing an anecdote about
m old lady who pedlIed milk around.
but was said to be very fond OF hsr
draw. On one occasion she was asked
by preacher VINO met her on the strset
Nancy said he, Hean you tell me
where all irtnkards goS- Her answer