The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1907-10-16
The WARFARE AGAINST DRINK.
TEMPERANCE BATTLE GATHERS
STRENGTH EVERY. DAY.

ASSkott ooeSS
Arraigl.s the Liquor Trafic-f
There Were No Saloons His
Court Would Have No Business.
(The following address was deliv-
cred by Judge Mckenzie Cleland be-
fore the Liquor Dealers Protective
Association, at their annual banquet
In the Sherman House, Chicago.)
Nobody loves a coward, and every
body hates a hypocrite, so I'm going
20 tell you some plain truths. I'm
improving some. Right after my
election a saloonkeeper said I wasn't
ut to be a judge anywhere except in
Hyde Park, because I never drank a
advanced to such a stage that I not
only am considered ft to sit on sa-
loonkeepers' cases, but you invite me
here to tell you how to run your
business.
A great many persons are preju-
diced against the liquor business. I
confess I'm one of them. I came by
it honestly. My father was a preach
er, and he taught me the evils Of
liquor. When I went on the bench
I tried to put that prejudice away,
because I realized that anyone with
! prejudice against any calling or
class of citizens is unfit to sit on the
bench.
I fined a member of your calling
a few weeks ago, and after I had
gone home I felt that I had been in
luenced b. my prejudice against the
saloon business, and had been un-
usually severe. / e~ndeavored to call
up my clerk and get the amount Of
the fine reduced, but could not reach
him. Before I was able to communi-
cate with him, the money had been
paid in at headquarters. But when
that man comes before me again, I
will give him a rebate.
People have a prejudice against
the saloon. and why? One reason is
that the liquor business is regarded
as an habitual and persistent viola
ton of the law I was delighted
when the president Of your associa-
ton stated that your organization
stood for the preservation of the law.
I'belieVe it is the opinion of a large
majority Of the people, that you are
laW-breakers-not all Of you, but so
many that you who do not break the
law are charged with the RESPONSE
bility Of it by popular verdict.
1t is my conviction that the mem
bers Of this association ought to pros
ecute to the end the men who violate
the law. I am trying, as you know,
by the parole system, to restore
drunkards and loafers to their fam
lilies. I was told by one saloonkeeper
with whom I had demonstrated for
selling liquor to an inebriate: But
I can't take the time to find out
whether a man is an habitual drunk
ard or not. Besides, if 1 Am arrested,
the association will defend me-"
(Cries of "No! no!") If this is, not
true, you gentlemen ought to let the
public know it. The people believe
this association protects the saloon
keeper in this course. 1t would be a
shame to you to protect men who
violate the law.
You have large property interests.
You have children who are attending
the public schools, as my children
are. Whether they will obey or defy
the law depends on the example you
set before them.
In your business, gentlemen, you
are dealing with edged tools. There
may be those who can drink without
harm to themselves, but there are
many who, by their appetite for
drink, bring untold misery on them
selves or their families.
There is a lawyer in my court who
drinks when he feels like it, a. good
fellow, and I asked him this morning
what I would say to you gentlemen
here tonight. He said: Tell them
that ninety per cent. of the cases Of
this court are due to whisky. II
there were no saloons this court
would be without business"