Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1906-04-18
COMMENT on CITY AFFAIRS.

for legalized whiskey. A new organi-
cation which, secured it's charter by
the grossest misrepresentation, fur
nished the nucleus for an organi-
cation for the liquor men. 1t is also
said that the personal Intervention of
one of the highest officials of the rail-
road was secured to permit things
being manipulated by local railroad
men in direct opposition to the known
policy of the company. The grossest
lying Islander of the conditions of the
city was promulgated and spread by
men who have the city and community
to thank for what wealth and standing
they possess. Big senseless talk OF
confscation of property by taxation
was made by men who do not pay a
dollar of tax to the city. Personal and
political prejudices were appealed to
in the most direct and shameless
manner.
All these things would have awaited
the liquor party naught, but for the
fact that they used the known qualities
of the present no-license administra-
ton as a lever. They argued that
there was no opposition to the no.
license ticket, and that it would be
perfectly safe to vote for license,
that the blood-money would be
we'll cared for and economically
administered and that the saloons
would be closely regulated. THAI
they were playing too daring game
did not seem to enter their minds, OF
perhaps they figured that this was tht
best they could do in any event.
By the aid of many transient ani
illegal votes, the city was carried fol
license by small margin. The jubi
lation of victory among the unthink
ing crowd was suddenly checked b,
the realization of the fact that no
license administration had bee1
elected. That the opposition tt
saloons was founded upon a principl
instead of policy now dawned upol
the minds of the license people, AM
set them guessing what the outcom
of their alleged victory would be
The full force of the power of the no
license sentiment of the city and sur
rounding country was aroused to it
full height and it is growing ever.
day to such proportions that onl.
those who are blind and will not Sc
will fail to see that saloon polio,
would be but a very shortlived one a
the most, and while it lasted woul
be damaging to the business inter
ests of the city.
All the laws of the state regardin
the sale of Intoxicating liquor as far a
applicable are in full force and powe
within the City of Willmar under tn
charter. There is nothing mandator
on the city council in reference t
granting license. The vote of April
simply removed the prohibition
Before that vote the city counc
MUST NOT grant license; now
MAY DO SO if it sees fit. The cour
Gil has the full power to turn dow
any application thatis presented an
their action is final and not subject t
the review of any court. 1t is Their
fore evident that there is very lit:
hope for the liquor men for favorab
action to their questionable bushes
from men who are by principle oppose
to it.
| The situation is a most hopeful or
for the future of the temperance caus
in Willmar and vicinity if the tempe
ance men upon the council stand b
their guns, of which there is no doul
in the minds of those who know then
They will have the honor of blazin
the way for a new era in the develop
ment of the no-license policy. Befo1
the license people of Willmar eve
again secure license they will have
nominate and elect ticket of me
pledged to put in saloons. In the fax
of the best half of the citizens With
the city limits and solid opposition {
the country people all around, tt
difficulty OF securing good represents
tive men to line up on a whiske
ticket presents itself to the mind /
any thoughtful reader.
#
i A licensed saloon-keeper is no wors
morally than the citizen who votes IL
license or the council Imam who selec
and appoints him to the bushes
Nevertheless the business is so dir,
that nearly all churches refuse to al
nit the saloon keeper, and the san
is true of most fraternal and benev,
lent l6d ges. Neither he nor his famil
are admitted to the best of societ,
While there are many who are willin
to take his money, there are few VIII
care to commit themselves as bein
personally responsible for the bus
ness. III q community like Kandiyo]
county, where one vote by all the cit
zens would kill the business in Il
county for all time to come, it is
serious matter for anyone who car,
at all for his standing to commit hin