The Ellensburg dawn. [volume] (Ellensburg, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1906-11-23
A RINGING LETTER
Mr.. Mathews Writes a Strong Letter That is
Worthy of Your Consideration
Ellensbnrg. Nov. -. 1905.

the wave of usual reform which has
been sweeping over the country for
some time hoping that our city might
catch little of the spirit which
prompts such movements, but so far
have failed to see any movement in
that direction.
If we are to have any change for the
better by electing a set of city officials
who will do their duty and the work
needed to lift this city up out of the
immoral disgraceful law breaking and
unbusiness cesspool into which it has
fallen, it is high time that those who
are in favor of law, order and decency
were up and doing.
Having been citizen of this city
the past five years and being lis close
an observer as it is possible for Mis-
sourian to be, | have come to the con
clusion that it is time for new deal as
do not think it possible to square the
present one.
That we have houses of i'll fame
where all kinds of liquor is sold to
boys from IA to IS years of age as well
as men. And that these dives are no.
torious debaucheries of vice and sin is
we'll known to all who care to know.
That gambling is going on almost en-
tirely openly and in defiance of law is
equally well know. That saloons have
about ceased to make any pretence to-
wards Sunday closing, needs no com
ment.
Is it not about time that this class of
citizens was looked after and made to
obey the law?
If this liquor is to be sold at houses
of i'll fame should they not be required
to pay the regular license and have the
same restrictions put upon them that
are supposed to be put upon all places
where liquor is sold
Is there any good reason why this
city should be infested with gang Of
human leeches who pose rs tin horn
gamblers and who never earn an hon
est cent but live Off the earnings of
those who at least work for their liv-
ing. If there is any doubt as to our
having member of this gentry here
let the tip be given that the conscience
of some councilman or the mayor has
been awakened by a charge OF dyna-
mite Tor something equally as power
full, and there is to be something dc
ing" against the gamblers. Attend
the council meetings and you will find
them there ready to protect their in
tereSts.
| have always admired cur boasted
western chivalry, but when | see wo-
men who, month after month have to
submit themselves to the disgrace, in
dignity and humiliation of going into
saloons and demanding the wages their
husbands have lost gambling or have
been robbed of. | think our boosted
chivalry is a boast indeed and if we
had one spark OF the chivalry and man
hood we boast of we would see that
these conditions do not last a day long
er.
Is it any wonder that our city is not
visited by larger per cent of the
homeseekers and investors when those
who do stop off after fighting their way
from the depot up Bird street to Pearl
through gang of drunken buns and
piles of beer kegs turn back Disguised
and leave on the next train and relate
their experience to all they meet?
Is there any good reason why our
wives and daughters, normal students
and all having business at the depot
should not have one street free OF these
conditions
| assume there are some business
men in the city council but if they en-
ployed the same business ~ methods
in their private business as they do in
conducting the business of the city,
they would all be baukrupts in six
months.
Noting the recent Spasmodic attempt
at retrenchment by disposing of the
fire team. 1t would occur to the aver
age business man that if the money in
vested in the rock crusher is to earn
anything, they could start the rock
crusher to work and use the fire team
for hauling rock and any other work
desired on the streets by the commits
sioner. Rock could doubtless be pur-
chased by the city delivered at the
crusher at little cost per ton. 1t would
help the farmers and city also. BY
this plan a rerenue would be derived
from the money invested in the crush
er. The team made to save its keep
and more, and somethin in the way of
service cotton ont of the driver besides
an occasional exercise stunt for the
salary paid him.
| understand there is a surplus of
power at the electric plant which
| n,rl6 no n1ade a RIM tha rock her.