The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1907-12-07
LOCAL OPTION.

Though there is, and always has been, very
widespread disfavor for sumptuary legislation, i'll
the matter of the saloon, there has grown up a
strong reasoning that such enactments are better
than drunkenness As political party. the pro-
hibtion forces expended vast strength in attempts
to muster sufficient votes to carry the country in IA
of what was twenty years ago considered a
| dream. While many voters were heartily in favor
of the principles of the white rbboners the other
great questions of the day, the partisan political
questions, seemed of more Importance. Besides the
mighty bulwark of the liquor interests, there was
the partisan prejudice to combat and little was
accomplished, After the fruitless efforts of num-
Der of national campaigns it demonstrated
that, though the enlightened sentiment of the
| country against the powers of the saloon, pro-
hibition could not rally to its standard enough
votes to make better than very poor third in pres
idental races The repeated failures of the Pro
hibtion party to make serious nroads in the ranks
of the old parties led to the more practical move
ment of making the saloon question one upon
which everybody could vote without in any way in
terfering with the partisanshp of American free
men,
Since the adoption of these tactics the spread
the day The moral and domestic sentiment of the
prohibition movement and the economic side of the
question, powerfully presented to the
present generation than they were in the past But
the question has been simplifed. man now
doesn't have to give up any of his cherished politi
cal beliefs to express his opinion for or against The
saloon in most of the states True, Utah is not
one of those in the forefront, but it will be if the
people elect enlightened and public-spirited mem
bers to the next legislature.
There is no getting around the proposition that
the majority rules in this country Under the laws
of Utah providing for the initiative and referen-
dunn and those rights of petition reserved to the
people, the question will be brought before the next
legislature, and local option law enacted. About
the only regret an inhabitant of Utah can have is
that such law is not now in effect. The prohibi-
ton wave which has swept over the south from
Missouri to Maine has carried upon its crest re-
form which is satisfying. 1t has invaded Chicago,
the wicked city, where Sunday is like any other
day. the city of beer the city of saloons, as it has
been Called and under the local option law $50 pre-
cincts have gone "dry." In the south the strength
of the prohibition movement lies in the weakness
of the negro saloon habitues. Throughout the
great belt constituting more than half the terri
tory of the nation where prohibitive laws are in
force the discrimination of business men, employ
ers of labor, railroad and insurance companies in
favor of the teeotaler has added immeasurably to
the strength of the movement.
While few years ago the liquor interests were
arrogant and naughty, today find them organic
ing counter movements to stem the ever-growing |
tide. They fear a prohibition campaign on non
partisan lines, and all their financial strength and
seductive wiles will be brought to bear to keep the
proposition partisan basis. But it is not a |
partisan question. Neither is it religious ques-
ton. 1t is moral question, and every Christian,
# whatever UNCONVENTIONAL belief and every man
or whose children are growing up in Utah
md who does not want the evils of overwhelming
Extensively thrust before Them or who does not
want the temptation of the saloon eternally holding
tut invitation to join the wrecks and derelicts
IN the oceans of beer and BOOZE is on the side of
he question which will eventually rid the nation
# common enemy.