Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-02-18
LEAGUE FORMED
Anti-ProhibitioniStS Form Q:
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 a previous meeting, last
Eight the declaration of principles and
a constitution we're 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 locality anti-saloon terri
vi IllSItDN Cl'tOl ClllS dbSOlulG liO-
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 al 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 in 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 ad-
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 -Uinous, 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 tC
| 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 a general disregard fol
law, and make law-breakers of many
who are otherwise law abiding: tina
they furnish precedent for further in
fringing upon the wishes. rights an(
liberties of the people, respecting ap
Ipetite, apparel, worship and recreation
the whole n situation greatly to b,
ldeplOred, to be viewed with alarm
and which should interest and con
Germ every good citizen.
with the experience of many year
before us of other cities and states w
believe that prohibition is a deterren
to advancement, that it depreciate
and even DESTROYS property values an
increases taxation, that it takes froI
the community the revenue derive
from the liquor business, drives ava
many citizens. and deters others fror
locating, throws many out of employ
ment, and diS3ourages investments b
increasing ordinary timidity of capita
| SSNOiulliSIy We DSllcNc llldI the 81
luton of the great problem is to b
had in wise legislation. looking not t
the prohibition, but to the proper regl
iation of the liquor business. and tia
the constant fear that at any momer
a business. established and built I'D al
der existing laws may be destroye,
land the accumulation of long years h
dissipated should be permanently r
moved from those engaged in sue
business.
Declaration of Principles.
'In conformity with these views "
make the following d declaration
principles:
Saloons being public of general r
sort, should he under strict contrt
supervision AMI regulation, and we t
vor such and insist that ali immor
and illegal accessories of the saloc
business should be absolutely divorce
therefrom.
Eve do not believe that a MAORI
of men, no matter how great, have Il
moral right TO force upon a minorit
such legislation as will result in c
nreSSiop and TYRANNY and in tho r