The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1908-06-19
PLATFORM OF THE BREWERS.
Milwaukee Convention Against Low
SaIOOns-FavOrs a Rational Tenn
uerance Movement,

Milwaukee, Wis, June 1.-THE pro-
motion of temperance in the use OF
fermented beverages, the meaning OF
temperance being neither abuse nor
disuse is favored by the United tSates
Brewers association in lengthy set
of principles which the association
adopted at it's closing session yester-
day They also favored the elimina-
ton of the Objectionable features of
the retail liquor traffice and pledge
their fullest cooperation toward their
extinction.
The brewers also declare that it is a
mistake to believe that the commercial
interests of the brewer stand back Of
the excessive multiplication of saloons
or any of the unlawful or improper
practices of the saloon keepers. When
ever spirit of genuine inquiry and
rational betterment shall take the
place of needless persecution aiming
mot at improvements but at the ex-
termination of their business, the
brewers will welcome it and would
gladly refrain from participating in
politics
The platform continues in part:
Believe Beer Promotes Health.
1--WE believe that a temperate use
of beer promotes health and happiness
which are the underlying conditions
of morality and social order, and in
this belief we are supported by the
vast preponderance of educated as well
as popular opinion all over the world
consistent with this belief we fav-
or the passage and the enforcement
of laws for the regulation Of the drink
traffic and for keeping such traffic free
from unlawful and improper accessor-
les, and we earnestly desire such I'M
provement in the drinking habits or
the people as will still further advance
temperance, together with the spread
of enlightments as to the proper func-
lions of drink, whereby the individual
may be able to regulate his habits &C
cording to the requirements of whole-
some living.
Denounced as False.
"The brewer is charged with being
in politics and using political power
for the use of influencing legislation,
paralyzing executive action and pro-
tecting the disorderly saloons. Such
statements are grossly exaggerated
and highly colored Rather it is true
that the existence of disorderly sa-
looms is in many cases the work of a
certain class of politicians. who keep
them alive for their own purposes and
and in opposition to the wishes of the
brewers y9g t 8fE4 s
with suitable laws, properly en-
forced and backed by healthy senti-
ment such disorderly saloons could be
exterminated, and not only the COM
munity purified of Objectionable places
but the brewing trade freed of an in
cubus which IT is now struggling to
shake Off"
Forced Into Politics.
The platform says IL the brewers
have been driven into politics, it is
due to the intemperance attacks upon
them along political lines, and in clos
ing 1t proceeds:
I'VE turn with confidence to the
fair minded American public and ask
it, in view Of many practical instances
of our sincerity given in the face Of
great difficulty, to consider the state
ments above made"
A letter from J. Topham Richard
son of the English brewers was read,
in which he stated that many church.
men and other prominent people in
England are opposed to the efforts to
prohibit the liquor traffic.