Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-06-22
direct sympathy with the work of the
churches and the revival meetings in

churches and the revival meetings in
the city.
In answer to this argument the
mayor states that he and the council
only did what was their duty to do
under the city ordinances and that the
absence Of the three members in ques.
ton could in no way have affected
what was done. He stated that he only
allowed license permitting the carnf-
val company to show in the city, Just
as he must do under the ordinances to
any one who applies for such license
providing the applicant complies with
all the requirements That are specified
In the ordinances.
Petitions Circulated.
Yesterday morning the church PEG.
pie took decided action against the
carnival by circulating three petitions.
The first was addressed to the mayor
and city council asking that body to
rescind the action taken in allowing
the carnival company to enter the city
the second was addressed to the Rock
Island railroad, asking that company
to refuse to allow the use of tneir
ground for the purpose of displaying
the shows of the carnival company, as
was projected This plot lies in the
very heart of the city and within a
couple of blocks of the tent in which
the revival meetings are being held
and would necessarily prove serious
hindrance to the success OF the meet
ings. TIL third petition was addressed
to the carnival company, asking that
company to give Eldon wide berth.
The petition sets forth that the citizens
of Eldon in general are opposed to the
coming Of the carnival and that the
| last company which was at Eldon lost
money. According to a statement
made by the mayor yesterday the
church people have been successful
in keeping out the carnival for the
company has failed to take out its IL
cense and will probably not come into
a city where Their is already an an.
tagonistfc feeling aroused.
No MuIct Law.
Thus the first blood in this interest
ing war has been drawn by the church
people and with the scalp of the carni-
val proposition hanging at their belt
they maye now concentrate their at
tention and efforts to suppressing the
gambling and liquor traffic in Eldon
According to those opposed to these
interests, the saloons are operating
without any right as there is no city
license and they are not operated un
der the mulct law. Therefore the rev
enue that is derived from them by the
city is collected in fines assessed by
the mayor on defendants that are ar
rested by the marshal and charged
with keeping disorderly houses anc
narboring vicious people.
Therefore the church people claim
that they can close down the lid
just as soon as they see fit but have
not yet determined to do SO. They
state. however, that plans are perfect
ed to such degree that at moment:
notice they can take decisive actor
and close the doors of every saloor
| in the city.
City Needs the Revenue.
Those in favor of an "open door
! policy claim that the city could no
conduct its affairs and keep up 1T
5 municipal expenses if the saloons wer,
!. closed down, as it is largely on tn,
Z revenue thus derived that the improve
I ments in the city are made, the light
on the streets are kept up and othe
3 necessary expenses are paid. If tn
cid" is closed 1t is claimed the cit,
!. would nave to give the street lights
Y no improvements could be made Of
= the streets and many other absolutel
q necessary things would have to be dis
t pensed with unless the tax were rails
. ed out of all reason. 1t is also claim
i ed that the cessation Of business i
general and serious detriment to tn
t progress of the city would result.
e Those who talk eneither one side no
h the other, representing the more cor
0 servative element of the city. admi
}. that the city would suffer if saloon
e were closed but would still like to Sc
d the liquor traffic eradicated If it coul
o be done. The usual boot-legglng
# feared, however, if the saloons wer
o closed and conditions would then b
n worse.
: The Mayor Talks.
! II am appealed to to close the s.
A. 1 ~