Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-03-19
PEOPLES PULPIT.

Editor Courier: Perhaps the citi-
zens of Ottumwa will consider that it
is none of my business, seeing that
am only little brother from the
country; nevertheless, I cannot resist
the temptation to express my opinion
regarding the merits or rather deme1-
its, of the "open town" proposition. IL
it will exert any influence toward the
relief of the situation, well and good:
if not, shall have relieved my mind,
which is that much of benefit.
First Of all, be it distinctly under
stood that am not one of those who
bow down in reverential alteration at
the shrine Of the political greatness of
the present mayor However, l think
he should receive the credit due an
official who discharges his duties
faithfully and conscientiously, for it IS
obvious that the citizens ofsOttumws,
by their ballots, called for just such
an administration as he has given
them. If officers are not elected to
execute the will of the electorate,
then our system of government is a
farce. The epidemic Of crime that has
been worrying the good people Of Of
tumwa is simply the natural result
of their own alliance with the forces
Of evil. If they are satisfied to have
the keys of the city handed over to
his satanic majesty through the "open
town" policy, they must expect that
undesirable gentleman to revel with
out stint in the privileges thus accord
ed him. It is known to all men of
ordinary intelligence that the liquor
business is essentially criminal, and
that it is at all times and under all
circumstances standing menace to
the welfare of the people. Even the
United States supreme court has in
many decisions sustained this view.
Yet the voters of Ottumwa, despite
this positive knowledge, continue to
sanction by their ballots the presence
Of these nefarious missionaries of the
devil. If were to venture guess as
to the probable cause of this friendly
attitude towards the cohorts of sin, I
should say that, in addition to that
portion Of the people that is frankly
bad, there must be another consider
able portion composed of men who
have an appetite for an occasional
dram, and who, rather than be depriv-
ed of the privilege of satisfying that
desire, would force these leprous in
stitutions upon the community regard
less of the consequences they should
know are certain to result. Count
that other large proportion of voters
who are themselves temperate, but
consider that the evil is the other fell
lows lookout, and you have a force
that quite overpowers that little body
of people who have the welfare of the
community at heart.
RI tho h0ucac 0f i11.fonoo ,n,,
may set down the evil influence ex.
erted by the saloon, multiply 1t by one
thousand and obtain faint idea of
the disastrous effects exerted upon the
public health, morals and intelligence
by these particular pets of the prince
of darkness. And if I were to hazard
public attitude towards these cancer
GUS social institutions, it would be
that a majority of the voters have be-
come sufficiently degenerate to sane
ton, If not desire, their presence. ]
am aware that these are hard words,
but blank cartridges have been used
too long in the battle against the
forces of hell. If the men Of Ottumwa
desire to be considered advocates of
civic purity and social righteousness,
let them go to the polls and vote to
wipe out these fostering masses Of
civic corruption, and give the city =
clean bill of health and morality.
There is absolutely no excuse for the
continuance of present conditions.
But here we confront the objection
that CLOSED town will "hurt bust
ness" The element of commercial
profit seems also to exert a powerful
influence in favor OF these evidences
of human degeneracy. The CONNER
cial spirit is SO thoroughly instilled
into modern humanity that all ques-
lions of right and wrong are held in
allegiance until assurance is given that
nothing shall disturb the flow of
profits into the Golfers of the business
world. Shall it always be said that
our young men and women must sub