The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1908-09-17
OKLAHOMA LIQUOR QUESTION.


In general Il may be stated that the
states voting ont the licensed saloon1
seldom return to the old manner OF
selling whlskey, and there Is not the
slightest reason TO believe that a
saloon viii ever again legally transact
business IN the state of Oklahoma.
There is a great deal more than
temperance in this phase OF the case:
one OF which is that when the saloons
were with us there we're too many
lsaloon keepers indulging In political
games, and to- often good men went
TO defeat because they were IN favor
of making the saloon keeper keep
within the limitations OF the law of
the land. II is only the saloon man
fOolng his own people when he un
dertakes TO father a movement to re-
submit the liquor questionable vast
majority of the voters being opposed
to the plan, and as the days pass this
sentiment will increase rather than
| drift toward the cd licensed saloon.
There are so many reasons for this
an ordinary newspaper article will not
permit of enumeration, but one leading
cause is that the boys do not loaf in
the saloons and acquire vicious habits.
| The drinker at the club must ever
subscribe to certain rules, the most
prominent of which. is that the mem
Der has to restrain self and failure to
do so loses membership. That the
man who was accustomed to three
drinks each day has them and will con.
tinue to have them Is not denied by
practieal men; nor is it other than
simple truth to admit the wholesale
liquor dealer flourishes better under
laws prohibiting ne licensed saloon.
But the large cost Of keeping the peace
does not onsue; nor is the temptation
50 general and SO well advertised,
The business men make the politics
of any state; unintontlonally making
and lmmaking acts OF legislative
bodies and are first responded TO in
executive quarters This is due TO the
fact the business man of average in.
tclligcnce Is working hard to increase
the trade territory of his town and he
seldom has an axe t0 grlnd when he
speaks on public matters. body of
lfntcligent retail business men of a
city can frighten any political party
into course of action. and never is
the minister. the attorney or editor far
removed from such line when the
crucial moment arrives.
OF the present situation the radicals
i can accomplish little on either side OF
the case. The man who thinks he can
aid the saloon cause by ridiculing fail.
ure to enforce the law at Oklahoma
City, Muskogee or any other city is
blind to the actions Of men. No city
I Is SO fortified as to be able TO live
down a reputation for lawlessness, and
continued failure to enforce the prohi-
btion enforcement clause VIII, sooner
or later. attract the business men
men who will protest against the con
tinuation of selling liquor without con
tributing something in the way oil
revenue toward the maintenance of the
I lecal government and the yiolators will
reap the crop Of tares they SOW Will
heavy interest on each coupon.
Each time the radical Prohlbiuonist
seeks to annoy those who order liquor,
Tor themselves from outside points, he
. drives nail in the coffin OF Prohibi
} tion: likewise the saloon advocate who
works toward failure to enforce tn,
4 law against bOotlegging aids the cans,
! Of Prohibition and increases the lacI
! OF respect the conservative man ma!
? have for the liquor traffic.
II Is but the old story of the average
I man liking a square deal and opei
i controversy. The majority OF the pee
= pie have the right t) say whether o
s not there shall be saloons and opel
e sale OF whiskey and SO long as tha
right is not driven into the realm o
the crank who wishes to forbid hl
neighbor at his home having thJs
ltN t.rhf 4 I,,
4 wants and does not disturb others i
+ using, the majority will find all ser
q siblo fair-minded men and wome
q ready to maintain the will of III
4 voters.
y If. as is not now true in this stat,
g the people think that saloons are benz
r ficial to the majority, they viii ccnl
II In good season without aid from thos
c radicals who see not beyond their ow
il immediate appetites for certain thing
y and ferns OF government
n Put the liquor question before tn
" people of this state ON the so-calle
personal liberty clause, advocate thel
N as necessary tor the support of govern
70 mont, and the attempt will meet wit
is the most crushing blow ever given an
IT question before the people for approyi
it or rejection
Ie Advance along Tie CAROLINA thcor
e. that those not drunkards have deser
10 ed consideration; that whisley an
becr may be sold without resort
10 saloon or lawiessness backed by thus
@. and hangors-on and il might pro,
lo formidable IN an election. 1t IL NO
in political, and always will be- becau'
Of wholly elfccting common appetite an
so desire, aud no elected officer shcu
n. or has the right T. so beyond enior
le ing The law on the question, whcth'
Is proMbltCry or to the contrary.
is At the last general election q
al voters expressed disapproval
saloons, and the official high or lo'
seeking 20 prevent that verdict beir
ls enforced does great harm 10 the sta
IA and bis action speaks louder tina
words the serious error made by d
voters in permitting his election.
IA Il should be a less to those no
IA seeking TO take advantage OF the ili
,e of the new law, In that all states vo
4 ing ont saloons while many are loot