The Pensacola journal., 1907-09-13


thereby giving the men engaged in
making a legitimate living for them
selves and families, an opportunity OF
disposing of the investments of life
time, Of stock, accounts and fixtures
in the event that the election resulted
dry, which would also mean the dis
charging of employees without days
notice. Then, too, what about the
number of property holders whose
buildings have been leased for GER
tain period, the inceme from such
buildings being the source OF their
| livlihood?
Prohibition is not successful in
places where it has been tried, as one
state can hardly prevent dealers in
another state from shipping liquor into
| it, and the people viii get 1t one way
or another. If drinking alcoholic bey-
erages is an evil, is it not far better
to have drinking In the open, and
regulate it, restrict it, and surround
| it with police protection than to
smother it and have 1t spread enor-
mously under the surface, creating
| lawless element because the pleasure
Of getting it is far greater, it being
denied in public? This latter phase
will appeal especially TO the negro.
The state of Georgia is dry CD burt
any ten men, white or black, may pay
$500, open a club, and drink as much
as they please. This is prohibition.
AS rule, the men engaged in this
"nefarious' business are law-abiding
citizens. They have been conducting
business that was authorized by the
state, county and city, and which has
been so authorized for years and
Thov anoAno fha nonCf
public spirited citizens Of Pensacola.
They own homes and property in the
city and have always been ready to
support everything for the good of the
city. They are members Of the Cham
ber of Commerce, which has done the
city great geed. are members of the
clubs, and own shares in the carnival
association, having always contrib
uted to it.
When yellow fever had its grasp
upon the city, with business at a
standstfll and their heavy expenses
going on, they were found among the
largest contributors to the relief Of
the sufferers. Again, the next year,
when the great hurricane devastated
the city, they showed that they were
law abiding citizens and public spirit |
ed men, Having suffered less from
the storm, in addition to being COM
PEELED to close their places of busi- |
ness, with consequent loss, they were |
again found among those who came |
to the relief Of the storm sufferers |
Whenever any subscription is called |
for, they are the first to be called |
upon to contribute, and always re-
spond.
Not long since, the Pearl Eagan |
Orphans Home was in great distress |
from sickness and want 1t was a |
generous-Rearted man, engaged in |
this "nefarioars" business, who took it |
upon himself tQ sound the cry to res
cue the orphans and providefor them.
Owing to his untiring efforts the men
OF the city came to the homes relief, /
and among those who contribute |
monthly to its sustenance are the |
men engaged In the liauor business. |
These are the men to whom the /
Prohibition League would say: You
had a right to expect the American
people to take away your livelihood |
at any time, and you are to discon-
time business instantly. All of your
savings which are now invested in
your business are lost, together with
your accounts, stock and fixtures.
NOtwith hstanding the fact that you
had reason to suppose tiaI you would |
have a square deal, and hare there
fore built your heInes hers, you may |
move away to some other city, and
pocket your loss. This is the SQUARE
deal that we good men will give
you
The liquer dealers know that men
will drink alcoholic driuks; if they
cannot get liuuOr openly. they will
get it anyway. Under Lhsse circun-
Stances It is far be4tsr to have it in
The open, with the p=oper regulations.
II it is prohibited, the the amount
Of beer coastg1e ed viii be !essened and
the cOpsurepc.cH Of whiskey will be
greatly Increased.
At this stage Of Pensacola's prog
ress, it cannot AFFORD to experiment
by destroying a large part of its bust
ness, reducing property vsIues, and
losing tee inoGrnc from licenseg. ETC..
with bonds on the market
For SAFE. and with taxes On property
already high.
Would it not be better Judgment to
wait and see the result in those states
already experimenting with prohi-
oitlon? Besides Pensacola has no re-
sources such as a rich farming coun-
try, manufacturers or railroads, but !
depends entirely on its harber. ship
ping and hshing interests. II these
are given a blow it will prove to be
a severe ordeal fer the city. Almost
any evening you csn see in the sa-
looms on Paiafox street sailors from
different countries, sitting around a
table with schooner CT beer in front
OF them, peacefully drinking and talk
ing. This is their club room. the
only place they can go, and if the sa-
looms are closed, where would they
pass the time? The rich men may 90
to their clubs, and even in Prohibition
cities, may drink what they want. !
Even Bishop Potter realized this and
dedicated saloon for a poor mans
club