The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1907-10-04
A SAMPLE ARGUMENT"
AGAINST THE WET" TICKET

Good morning Mr.. -," said
pleasant faced lady who is working
ardently in the cause Of prohibition
L am Informed it is your Intention
To- vote the wet ticket.
such is my Intention said the
gentleman addressed.
Well" said the lady. Il don't be-
lieve a gentleman would vote anything
hut a dry ticket. Those opposed to
prohibition say taxes will be higher if
the dry side wins. but wouldn't you
be willing to give a dollar a year 10
held save a man."
III give $lU year to help save any
man." replied the gentleman address,
ed. and give il willingly if you can
show me the man who will be saved.
physically and morally and by reason
Of prohibition. II ,WeVer. / wish you
[. understand that a mere statement
that my help Will save him is not suf
hCieuJ Your claim must be demon
Strated in some buSinesslike manner"
Il have Il brother who drinks" an
Swerei The lady. and if he cannot get
liquor he viii reform. Isn't that reas-
ID enough for my asking you 10 vote
for Prohibition"
Your personal reason is undoubted-
Is good. but the argument is faulty
Your courage is dictated wholly by
personal interest. and YOU would de-
rive all men Of their rights. drive
business from the city, increase the
taxation and put premium upon per-
jury simply because one who is near
To you makes a beast of himself"
Put think Of the homes that are
i,srfg 5,,I- ,f ~.
Influence upon children who see their
fathers come home drunk"
The Bible teaches that intemrer-
ance in anything is, wrong. but it does
not teach that reasonable indulgence
ia drink is a sin. The homes that are
ruined by liquor intemperance are
probably not greater in number than
the homes that are ruined by drug
habits and other evils. which it has
been found impossible to eradicate
As far as the children are concerned.
would not the influence be far worse
if the father maintained a private jug
and drank openly in the presence of
his family-and il is admitted by even
the most radical prohibitionist that
man will be able to get liquor if he is
able To pay for it,
AT least a man Will not spend all
his money in a barroom. He will
bring the money he earns home
Possibly. after he has visited the
express office or blind tiger and
secured a supply of liquor. the bal
ance viii be taken home. II is now,
for that matter. the only exception be-
ing that a man does his drinking be-
fore he goes home and has no Occa-
sion to lay in supply for use in the
home"
Il supposv very liquor dealer will
run a blind tiger as you call it. if
the dry ticket wins"
There il nothing whatever to jus
tify such an assertion. The saloons.
If a majority wills it. will be closed.
Blind tigers will probably be operat-
ed by others who Will see golden OPP
portunity in selling poison wildcat
whisky of the cheapest grade. at prices
equal To those charged at present in
the regulated and duly licensed sa-
looms
Well was the final rejoiner. as
the lady walked away. If anyone had
told me You were opposed - prohibi-
tien | would not have believed it. Ev-
cry man who votes against prnhibi-
tion is criminal and | am surprised
that a man Of your Intelligence should
Tot believe as do"
And there you have one Of the prin-
cipal arguments Of those who are 50
devotedly preaching prohibition-"If
You don't believe as l do. you are 4
criminal and not tit to associate with"
Exchange.