Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-02-18
LEAGUE FOR MED
Anti Prohibitionists Form o.;
ganiz alton to Oppose Pres
ent Crusade.
PRINCIPLES ARE STATE
Hold for Strict Control OF Saloons
with Elimination of All Illegal
Accessories.

The AUTHORIZATION League of Rock
Island County was formally organized
at meeting Of citizens of Rock Is
land, Moline and the rural districts of
the county he'd last evening at the
Harper house. Officers having been
elected at previous meeting, last
right the declaration of principles and
a constitution were adopted, which set
forth the aims OF the new organization.
An active campaign for membership
will be conducted in the next few
weeks fer the purpose of defeating the
local option or the prohibition move
ment.
The new organization will have its
permanent headquarters at the Har-
per house, from which its campaign
will be conducted. The organization
meets every Monday evening. Mem
bership cards are now in circulation.
Following is an outline of the pre-
amble and declaration of principles:
In view of the present agitation to
make this 10 ,ality anti-saloon terri
tory, thereby enforcing absolute pro
hibition upon the people of the same,
we feel it incumbent upon us to ex-
press our views concerning this move
ment.
I'VE feel that the question of en-
forcing prohibition and abolishing the
liquor traffic entirely, is one of most
vital Importance to the people and
government of this country, and must
be dealt with courageously, and at the
same time, in the spirit of fairness,
free from prejudice and passion.
las citizens Of the county of Rock
Island, including the prosperous and
progressive cities of Rock Island and
Moline, where Ill our interests are To-
Gated, and where our homes are. and
to the up-building of which we have
proportiOnately contributed, we have
its interest, welfare. and advancement
as much at heart and have as much at
stake as our opponents.
Menace to Business.
Accordingly we submit to the calm
judgment of our fellow citizens, with
abiding faith III their common sense
and their desire to do what is manly
and fair to all. that the present pro-
hibition agitation is
"A menace to business interests:
"a blow aimed at the growth and adj
vancement of this whole locality:
''An attack upon the liberty of the in
dividual
"a misdirectcd effort to correct
abuses which the laws heretofore exist
ing are ample tC correct, if they are
| properly enforced
| I'VE condemn this agitation as det-
! rimental and -TinOus, the more so. as
We are convinced that it will not and
cannot have the salutary results which
are expected from it by its promoters.
| Justified by former experience, and by
our observation of the practical opera
| ion of prohibitory laws and votes. il
is our opinion that prohibition does not
prohibit, that prohibition does not
mean temperance. and that said laws
do not accomplish the end sought, to
be obtained; that on the contrary they
induce greater lntemperance. and that
they needlessly abridge the personal
wishes, rights and liberties of many
engendering hatred and resentment
that they foster 4 general disregard for
law, and make law-breakers of many
who are otherwise law abiding; that
they furnish precedent for further in
bringing upon the wishes, rights and
liberties of The people, respecting ap
lpetite, apparel, worship and recreation
THE whole a situation greatly to be
deplored, to be viewed with alarm
and which should interest and con
Germ every good citizen.
with the experience of many years
before us of other cities and states We
believe that prohibition is a deterren
to advancement, that it depreciate.
and even DESTROYS property values anC
increases taxation, that it takes from
the community the revenue derived
from the liquor business, drives ava,
many citizens, and deters others from
locating, throws many out of employ
ment, and discourages investments b,
increasing ordinary timidity of capital
Accordingly we believe that the SC
luton of the great problem is to b.
had in wise legislation, looking not t
the prohibition, hut to the proper regI
lation of the liquor business. and tina
the constant fear that at any momen
business, established and built I'D III
der existing laws may be destroyed
and the accumulation of long years b
dissipated, should be permanently re
moved from those engaged in sue
business.
Declaration of Principles.
"ln conformity with these views w
make the following declaration {
principles:
Saloons being public of general r
sort. should he under strict contro
supervision AMI regulation, and we f
vor such and insist that all immor:
and Illegal accessories of the saloo
business should be absolutely divorce
therefrom.
1--WE do not believe that majorit
of men, no matter how great, have tt
moral right to force upon minorit
such legislation as will result in o