The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-10-06
PROHIBITION OR LOCAL OPTION.

S6Or7l 81 ION OK LOCAL OPTION.
1t was to be expected that the Nor
mon church conference would declare
itself In favor of prohibition and
pledge its members to urge upon leg
islatOrs the enactment of prohibitorv
laws. Such action was natural because
the church body from its inception
has taught its members total absti-
nence, not only from alcoholic drinks.
but has urged them to refrain from
using tea or coffee or tobacco in any
form. Being human. good many
members have ignored this rule of the
church, as the authorities very point
edly charge, but this has not changed
the attitude of the rganization or of
its directing heads
In addition, the sentiment for prohi-
bition has doubtless been reinforced by
the wave which has swept the coun-
try. because such movements gather
momentum and the American people
are peculiarly sensitive to such spec
tacular emotional demonstrations as
have marked the course of the move
merit against the saloon in the south
and east.
Apparently the resolutions of Sun
day pledge the church to unqualified
prohibition for the entire state, though
il may not have been so intended We
believe that prohibition covering the
whole state would prove much less
feasible and certainly more difficult Of
enforcement than a district or county
local option law which would enable
the people of the large communities
to declare their own desire in the mat
ter. Any law which lacks the support
of the people whom it affects is bound
IN be a failure: worse than that, it
only serves 10 bring the law into con-
tempt by the facility with which it is
broken. This is a commonplace decla-
ration, its truth has been proved by
experience from time immemorial and
yet it is the argument always ignored
by the good people who base their
opinions on the desirability OF an ideal
law affecting their fellowTnen rather
than upon the demonstrated necessity
for public support TO secure respect
for and enforcement Of the written
statute.
Whether this prohibition resolution
shall find expression in legislation or
not will depend largely upon the atti-
tude Of the liquor dealers themselves.
In this state. as in every state. where
the question has become an issue, the
most potent factors I'm arousing anti
saloon sentiment have been the saloon
keepers themselves If the saloon men
and he brewers who control most CT
the saloons had recognized the univer-
sal demand for a reform in the con-
duct of the business il may be doubted
whether any strong prohibition senti-
ment could have been aroused. AS il
Island the fact is realized by such or
CARNATIONS of liquor interests as the
Model License League-the men who
own and conduct dives" are largely
responsible for the conditions which
threaten their business.
TaEo Salt Lake as a concrete exam
pie; The best conducted of the saloons,
the places which observe the closing
laws. which refuse to sell to minors or
drunkards or women. which maintain
order always. would be tolerated by
the community as an inevitable ac-
commitment Of city life. But they
are subject to the odium given the
business by the saloons, of which num-
hers flourish, places on Commercial
street and elsewhere, which are little
better than shelters for criminals.
These dives thrive on vice, they de-
mend for their large profits on encour-
a~ement of the social evil; they defy
the laws and TO procure immunity from
punishment enter into politics on a
corrupt footing.
Having entered politics they inevita-
bly find themselves subject to pOlit-
zeal rule. That is the beginning of the
end. and unless a radical change for
the better is made here. as well as in
the other towns and cities of the state. |
they will find that the political game |
cuts both ways. Whether they like
il or not. the tough saloons are doomed |
to go If they are cleaned up volun- |
tarily by the owners. who have it in |
their power. so much the better; but |
the cleaning up time is in sight.