The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1908-01-10
business, Not Sentiment.

The question of license or no Ii
cense for the saloon was a topic for
heated discussion when the present
Shoshone council was organized last
spring. 1t was argued to be unfair
to tax the saloons and not tax other
businesses on the same basis. Strip
fed OF all unusual conditions, and
assuming that all mercantile business
ses bear the same relation to the COM
immunity, the argument looked plaus-
ible. 1t was honestly believed by
many excellent citizens; and when the
council levied $500 city license
there was much public criticism.
Last February man came to Sho-
,Ihone. He was a printer, and good
one. Not getting job he went to
the saloons, and under the influence
Of their merchandise committed
crime for which he served so days in
JAIL On completing his sentence, he
was employed in the Journal. He
was one of the best printers in the
Office. He was energetic, and loyal
when sober. But three weeks was
7 the longest time he ever worked be-
tween sprees, which lasted from one
to four weeks. All through Septem-
~ber, October and November the Jour-
nal printers were working overtime
and earning from 81 to $3.50 per day
each. This man could have earned
the same; work went undone in hold
ing his job open for him. But he was
never sober more than few days at
time during these months. The
Journal paid out for him $35 more
than his wages came to. Ill, penni-
iless, a pitiable wreck, he was taken
cared for for almost two months.
Last week the county paid his fare
out of town, to where he claimed to
have friends.
During his stay here he earned and
spent about $500. His total cost to
the county, for trial, board in jail,
and hospital, and ticket out of town,
was at least $500. He cost the Jour-
nal s35. This is dead loss. What
he earned he spent. If the various
Nindustries that received his wages be
taxed at all proportionately to what
they got of his money-for his bills
must be paid by taxation-the cloth
ing man, the shoemaker, and the gro
GER would pay very small tax. Is
it not fair to adjust taxes on bust
ness in the ratio of it's responsibility
n to the community for what 1t gets
and what it does?
All this is looking at it from a
purely mercenary standpoint-the
HAr4pN book side. The physical and
moral degeneracy of the man thro
drink have not been considered. Seve-
raj parties here have tried to be-
friend the old man, for he showed
traces of having once been better
man, and there was hope that his
old and better self might be reassert-
cd Rut drink had made him NOR
yal degenerate. He used his friend
'ships. and the fact that there was
good lob held for him at the Journal,
as a basis for more credit for more
drink, and longer sprees. He was an
old man when he came to Shoshone:
He stayed here ten months and went
AWAY ten years older, so far as physl-
cal ability Is concerned.
What has happened to this one
man happens daily to others. 10
ignore all moral considerations, and
figure ,up only the financial side, the
general public needs some protection
n from the heavy expense of such cases.
IF a man breaks our window, wheth-
ar in anger, or in sport, or by acct
delft, re must pay; the railroad pays
for losing our goods, by accident, or
carelessness, or theft. In both cases
the other party has at least construc-
lively had the benefit of our goods
and should pay. 1t is not fanatlclsm'
hut the most ordinary common sense
To ask that whoever gets the benefits
Of or is responsible for these COM
munity losses should pay-whether
# he the gardner, or the grocer, or
the candy man, or the weinerwurst
seller, or the saloon.
The Journal will gladly publish
\ any communication that will show up
the other side of this question.-Sho-
shone Journal.