Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-11-16

IlNCu position WITHOUT NdtClll uliit9'.
Why. don't you know that an old hen
can't even shift her position on the
roost without first rising so as to
loosen the muscles and tendons which
control the claws?
THE SALOON IN POLITICS.
fSioux City JournaLl
In passing around bouquets in Iowa
the saloon influence should not be ov-
erlooked. 1t was this Influence that
broke the unwritten law in this state
Much has been said about driving
the corporations out of politics. and
both parties in their platforms this
year deemed it expedient to declare
in favor of that policy. The railroad
was treated as an outlaw, but the sa-
loon escaped criticism.
There are counties in Iowa where
the saloon influence is potential.
among which Dubuque county is
probably the most notable example.
1t Is rarely that anyone is elected In
that county to an office Of RESPONSE
bility and emolument without the aid
Of the saloon. 1t was so in prohibit
ton times, when the saloon was more
numerous than 1t is now, and the rule
is maintained as drastically as ever.
Normally 1t is a democratic county.
but ii is not uncommon to elect men
on the republican ticket to local Of
fees, and 1t often happens that the
tide sets in strongly in behalf of one
man or another on the republican
state ticket. The candidate who APP
pears in Dubuque without the capac-
ity or inclination to take drink will
meet Encouragement up one street
and down another.
Dubuque county has such reputa-
ton in this regard, and 1t is so freely
acknowledged at home, that no Of
Tense is committed in pointing out
the fact in the most direct manner.
There are other counties nearly in
the same class, among which Scott
stands out conspicuously. When the
river counties" are referred to peo-
pie in politics know precisely what is
implied.
The saloon influence is widely dis
tributed over the state, and it is par
ticularly forceful in the larger towns.
1t holds the balance of power In more
places than 1t would be convenient to
shake stick at In brief interval OF
contemplation 1t is an influence
that cannot be brushed aside with a
moral feather
The saloon Is not in politics for it's
health-which is an expression mean
Ing the very opposite Of what 1t I'M
plies The saloon influence is COM
bination with which the law. 50 far,
has been unable adequately to deal.
1t represents the drink and the cigar,
and in every political campaign 1T ap-
pears as the doubling Individual from
Missouri. 1t holds the key to socia-
bility, and it distributes the cards OF
introduction. The drink may not be
tolerated in the best society, but the
cigar is accepted everywhere as evil
dence of good fellowship. Let it be
added that the biennial elections sys-
tenn is not popular with the saloon,
and if the saloon were justly charge
able with thoughtfulness it would not
now be in vogue.
There is always the fear on the
part of the saloon that something
may be done to it. The experiences
from 1882 to 1894 was of the most
disagreeable character, and restric-
lions that are now enforcible under
the double standard statutes are an
unceasing source of annoyance. Reve-
nue. on the one hand and personal OBJ
legation on the other are. the sources
of power with which it strives, day
and night, for the preservation and
the expansion of liberty.
The saloon does not dominate poll
tics anywhere in Iowa by reason Of
physical or moral right. Even in Du-
buque county 1T maintains its meas
ure of domination under passivity ex-
emplified by people not directly con-
cerned. 1t dictates nominations and
elections under the noses Of men who
in their confidential relations say it is
all a shame But it is not their blsi-
ness. The saloon is left to take care
of itself, and while the job may be
attended to bunglingly, nevertheless 1t
is attended to
Good government Is possible with
good citizenship, and without it there
Will be no lack of rocky ways, where
on from time to time there will be
bitter complaint.
Meanwhile, to be sure, and IN
emergencies as they arise, there IS
nervousness on the part Of men seek
ing nominations and intensity OF anx-
iety to capture the requisite number
Of votes to establish nominations as
valuable asset.
The saloon is among: the forces
that is not unmindful of the merit
SET forth in the story Of the Good
Samaritan.