The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1906-10-26
A SHORT CATECHISM
LOCAL OPTION
For the Voters of Cecil County, Maryland.

Question 1-When is the next Election il
Cecil county?
Answer.-On Tuesday, November 6, 1906
| Q. 2-What is the important issue at thai
election?
A.-Whether the present Local Option Law
shall remain in force in the county for the next
four years, or the county again come under the
so-called High License Law
| Q. 3-What will be the effect in either case?
| Ali Local Option wins the county remains as
now, without any licensed bars; if license prevail
II Will mean the revival of the Board of License
Commissioners, and the opening of nineteen bar.
rooms and at least two wholesale places (Which
can, under the law, sell as small quantity as one
| pint in the county.
| q. 4-Who especially desire that License win
| A.-The Distillers and Brewers and Wholesale
Liquor Dealers; those who have property to rent
that can be used as hotels under the Law and
those who wish to engage in this business where
profits are drawn from the weaknesses and evil
appetites OF their fellowmen.
| Q. 5-What, in effect, is it that these people
ask of the voters of Cecil county?
A.-That, by vote for License, they legalize
the sale of liquor in the county, help the busi-
ness OF the distiller. brewer and wholesaler and
| confer upon twenty-one of the 24662 Census of
1900 dwelers in the county the exclusive right to
| enrich themselves at the expense ofthe wages OF
| the Workingman, the peace and happiness of the
homes, and the good order and morals of the
community.
q. 6-What forces are at work in the interests
| of rum in every such contest as is now in Cecil
| county?
Ain addition to the individuals Immediately
interested and their friends, the five great Liquor
organizations of the United States. viz.:-"The
| United Brewers Association" 'The National
wholesale Liquor Dealers Association" "The
| National Retail Liquor Dealers Associations"
1.-THE National Protective Bureau" and "The
| German-American Alliance"
Q. 7-How do these organizations work?
A.-They are in league and supply men, money
and literature,-the latter mostly mailed directly
/ to the voters. They employ the best legal and
editorial talent in the country to mislead the
people, to block the wheels of Justice, to secure
If possible, the escape of the violater of law and
| ii need be. to purchase voters.
Q. SIS 1t reasonable to suppose that these
forces are now at work in this county with a
view to carrying the county for License?
A.-Assuredly. They thoroughly organ
lied and make their influence felt in every local
contest where the saloon is in danger, or where
there is any possibility OF establishing it.
Q. 9-But is not the Liquor business as legi-
innate as any other and entitled to the same
rights and considerations?
A.-No. For the last few centuries or since
1495,-this traffic has been regarded as vicious
business and dealt with as exceptionally danger
GUS. The increasingly severe restrictions found
necessary for protection against its recognized
evils prove that the liquor traffic is wholly diff
ferent from other and innocent forms OF business
Q. 1O-What has the Supreme Court of the
United States said on this point?
Alt has declared that no one has an in.
herited right to sell liquor and that any State
Legislature may restrict it to any degree or en-.
tirely prohibit it.
Q. u-What does Science say on this subject?
A-Science says that alcohol is a poison and
not food; narcotic irritant, and not stimulant
which gives strength; that it cannot sustain the
body in WEAKNESS, is injurious in the extremes
OF heat and cold, and that as medicine there
are better substitutes.
Q. 12-What have the great business corpora
tions to say on this point?
A.-They are solidly against the saloon keeper
and his finished product-the drunkard. Rail.
road and Life Insurance Companies discriminate
in favor of total abstaners; business corporations
fraternal orders, health authorities labor organi
zations educators. and practically all churches
testify against the use of and traffic in strong
drink.