The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1907-02-26
This Space BOUGHT AND PAID FOR.
A Practical View OF The Local
Option Question In Paris.

petites. AS long as the manufacture
of liquor is legalized by the Govern
ment, it. will continue to be made; 80
long as human nature remains as it is,
it will continue to be drank. This prop
sjtion is automatic and will remain so
until the end of time. Practical ex-
perience everywhere has demonstrated
that liq1or will always be sold; with
license, if it can be obtained without
it. if it cannot. If prohibition does
not prohibit-and it is generally admit
ted that it does not-the question to be
determined is-what is the best way to
regulate the use of liquor as bever-
idge? Is it by local option laws or by
permitting its sale under license?
Experience is the best teacher and
this question can best be solved by an
observation and analysis of existing
conditions in the city of Paris.
A few days ago, the recognized leader
of the temperance cause IN this city
said to two prominent citizens: Il
know, and so does every one else, that
the saloonkeepers of Paris are Obeying
the law. know that they close their
places on Sunday do not sell liquor to
minors and do not permit gambling in
any form. These places are as well
conducted as it is possible for them to
be, but we don't want the sale of
liquor licensed in the city of Paris. -
This is strong statement, but, as saids'
is known by everybody to be true
one. 1t is the doing of the very things
which the gentleman says he knows
are not done in this place, that gener-
ally gives rise to the prejudice that
most people have, not against the sale
of liquor, but against saloons. 1t I'M
der the present laws, which throw
many proper safeguards around
the licensed sale of liquor, such cOndi
lions can be created and maintained,
it would seem that there is small need
for any change in the law. 1t would
rather appear TO be the part Of sound
public policy to- let we'll enough alone. -
1t is generally admitted that the laws
are more rigidly enforced and more
closely observed in Paris than in any
other city in Kentucky, and the MAORI
ty of the people are absolutely salts
fed with present conditions. Under
such circumstances, they should consid-
er well before voting to substitute for
the present laws, which the Mayor
and County Attorney have demonstrate
ed can be enforced, a law which even
WarmeSt advocates admit can only be
enforced, If enforced at all. by the ex-
ercise of constant and extraordinary
Vigilence on the part of the officials
by the formation of Law and Order
Leagues by the offer and giving of
rewards for the conviction of offenders
against the law, and by the employ
ment of hired spies and detectives to
apprehend violators of it. No one has
ever heard of city of any size where
the officers have been able to prevent
the illegal sale Of liquor. The report
of the Commissioner of Internal
Revenue shows that in spite of the
most drastic laws, there were more
government licenses to retail liquor is
sued in Vermont and in New Hamp-
shire while prohibition was in effect
than there are now under license.
Even Kansas, which has been prohibi-
ton state since 1871 has more govern
ment licenses to retail liquor in proper
ton to population than Kentucky :; in
1905 Kansas had one license for every
428 while Kentucky had 'one for every
494 of its population. All of the advo-
Gates of local option in Paris admit
that such conditions exist in every
other city where such law is in effect,
but say that they will not be allowed
to exist here. Why? Are they more
in earnest than the advocates Of the
law in other places, or do they expect
the officials here to do what has never
been done in any other city. The Ques-
ton naturally presents ltself-why ask
the officials of Paris and Bourbon county
to perform the impossible or add I'M
necessary burdens when their duties
are already arduous enough? The fu-
ture can only be judged by the past; !
the ocean of time is strewn with the
wreck Of prohibition movements,
and the natural inference is that his
tory can only repeat itself in the city
of Paris
An Investigation will show that the
laws are more closely observed in Paris
there are fewer confirmed drunkards
fewer drunken men seen on the
streets the general peace and good
order of the community, as good if not
better, than in any city in Kentucky
where local option law is in effect.
In view of these facts, every reasonable
man must ask, hiu,caif-xvhat is the