The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1908-07-29

prosperous with open saloons; yet II
the law should be enforced and pr0hi-
bition actually prohibited. We no doubt
would be able to go ahead and buiid
up the business interests Of our city
to some extent.
The trouble with prohibition in. this
state is that it does not prohibit. The
town is full Of drug stores. joints and
dives. and the quality of the liquor is
very inferior. Some day they may be
able to make the law effective, yet az
ter over twenty years. trial. I must
say that 1t is q failure as far as the
cities and towns where the sentiment
ID largely in favor of open saloons. OF
course In towns where the majority
are in favor of prohibition, the traf.
10 has been restricted to . large ex.
tent, but I do not know Of any town
of any size in the state where wills.
key and beer cannot be bought in
violation Of the law. either through
drug stores. joints. or bootleggers.
have always been in favor of local
option and high icense.-Yours truly,
F. d. Stevens, Secretary.
KANSAS STATE RETAIL MER-
CHANTS ASSOCIATION.
Leavenw0rth, Kan, June I, 1908.
Merchants and Manufacturers asso-
citation. Gentlemen-Answerin your
circular letter of May 10Th with re-
ference to the Sl0cumb law and the
experience of Kansas with prOhibi-
ton. will say that the quotation from
the letter of your Nebraska editor is
concise, explanatory and eloquent as
voicing the opinion of every impartial
citizen of Kansas that have ever met.
I think that it is safe to say that none
but fanatics of the worst sort can find
any virtue in the Kansas prohibition
law. Personally desire to give your
association and its purpose the stamp
of ny commentator. believing that
there is no other interest quite SO
sensible that could be conserved. The
enforcement of the prohibition laws in
Kansas is like the pretended purifica-
ton of politics according to Ingalls,
AN iridescent dream" II intoxicants
are to be manufactured and sold, for
heavens sake make the traffic pay its
share of the public expense in actual
cash rather than by penalizing the
violation of the law and adding per-
petually to the cost of government.
think that were it not for the distaste-
full notoriety which would attach, there
are several clergymen in this city who |
would conscientiously sign this letter.
Very truly yours, H. A. Rose, Secre. |
tary.
FORT SCOTT COMMERCIAL CLUB.
Fort Scott. Kan. May 80, 1908. |
Gentlemen-In answer to your letter |
of May goth regarding the effect of |
prohibition. will say that your editorial |
informant at Kimball, Nebraska, is en-
tirely correct. The writer has studied |
and seen the effects of the prohibitory
law in Kansas since its Inauguration
over twenty-five years ago. At no time
the present included-has 1t been
impossible to procure liquor, and that,
generally speaking, of the very worst
quality. The drunkards OF ten years
ago, II still alive. are the drunkards
of today. II not alive, their places
have been taken by an army of new
recruits. Kansas, with its natural re-
is the most productive state
in the Union, and yet we have gained
less In population than almost any
other state-the increase of immigrant
population in this state being less
than the birth rate The writer has
seen more blackmailers, more perjur-
ers, and more dissension caused among
good people by this same prohibitory
law than from any other cause that
may be named. The majority Of our
people in this locality feel that It is
an unjust law and that 1t has greatly
hampered our progress and well-being.
sincerely hope that the merchants
and solid business men Of Nebraska
will not burden themselves with such
q law. You may rest assured that
II they do you may say goodbye 10
progress; at least, our experience Is
that way. About the only benefit the
law has proven to us is to give a good
medium for sensational
preachers. evangelists. and grating
politicians Furthermore. any rep.
business man Of any town
IN Kansas. IL he speaks the truth. is
bound to tell you the same thing.
Should you find that am able to as
'ist you In any way to further informa-
ion. please command me. and I will he
'nly too willing to do all can.-Yours
ruly, w. b. Sellgrave. Secretary.
WINFIELD COMMERCIAL CLUB.
Winfield, Kan, June 8. 1908. Gentle
acknowledge receipt of
ours Of the 10Th. The ex-Kansan
ives you about the correct informa-
ion as to the working of the prohibi-
Dry law, yet we believe the drug
torres and the joint proposition are
letter than the open saloons in Kan
al. The objection we had with open
aloOns in our town was that they
occupied the most prominent loca-
ions we had. While we believe that
he rent values were higher here when
hey were running than they are at