Troy weekly news. (Troy, Idaho) 1897-1933, 1908-03-27
". c. 7. U. Column.
VIRGINIA GREEN. Editor


Hon. G. W. Trickett, assistant attor- |
ney-geueral of Kansas, furnishes the fol-
lowing facts concerning the closing of
saloons in Kansas City, Kansas:
''This city is the metropolis Of Kansas,
with a population of about 1OO,-
600. The inhabitants are largely wage
earners and represent every nationality.
We are located on the border, only an
invisible line separating us from Kan
sas City, Mo. The city ranks fifth in
the list of manufacturing cities of the
United States.
Zone year ago there were 256 saloons
in this county, 200 gambling dens and
about 60 houses of social evil. Today
there is not a saloon, no open gambling
den, nor disorderly house. 1t is the
largest city in the world without these
dens OF vice, and as we have now existed
about twelve months without them, it
affords living example Of the TACT that
large city can grow and prosper with
out such evils.
cat the commencement of the con-
test large number of our people
thought it would ruin business and de-
stroy our prosperity, but it has stimu-
lated business in all lines.
"Our population has increased at
greater rate than ever before.
"The deposits in our banks have
gained by one and one-half million dol
lars.
1.-THE merchants upon our streets have
had to employ additional clerks.
"The attendance in our public schools
has increased largely, and we have to
employ eighteen additional teachers,
and the teachers inform us that
this increase is largely of boys and
girls of from II to l6 year of age, who,
prior to the closing OF the saloons, were
compelled to assist in supporting the
family, by reason Of the father spending
his wages for drink
''The charitable institutions report 9
reduction OF more than two-thirds in the
demand for aid. The juvenile court
which has the care OF dependent chill
dren, has had but two applications il
the past eight months, while prior t.
the closing of the joints from eight t.
S8 children required aid and assistance
each month.
"Prior to the closing of the joints W
sent from Il TO 81 young men to the re
formatory every year In the twev
months since closing we have sent bu
two.
"The expenses for prosecuting Grim
mails have been reduced $25, 900 per al
mum. Expenses for the police hay
been reduced much more
"For the first time in 25 years tn
court of common pleas of this count
= opened its term the first Monday
| May without criminal case.
! 'The city courts, created for the e.
| press purpose OF trying petty suits, fC
| the collection of rents and grocery bill
| and formerly crowded with blao
docket every day, have practically
| business, for the reason that the poop
are paving their bills instead of ber
sued for them.
"a year ago this city was trying
devise ways and means to spare Il
money to build additions to our CT
tails. Today the doors of the jai
swing idly upon their hinges, and '
have no use for those we have.
Zone year ago, not to exceed tS
business men on the principal thoroug
fares of this city would have favored t
closing of saloons. Today there are
two who would favor opening them.
"Twice since the saloons were clos
we have held city election at whi
the issue was presented to the peop
and at each election the people have
dorsed present condi ions. Every ba
is loud in praise of the present CT
situation. The city is clean, crime IS
a minimum, merchants prosperous, r.
estate advancing.
"This city is now the experiment
station of the world. If Kansas Ci
Kan, can close it's saloons and k'
them closed, and if the closing produ
prosperity, happiness and contentme
n then it is reasonable to assume Il
~ such results will follow like policy
IL I.....or oitiac -