The news=record. [volume] (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon) 1907-1910, 1908-05-07

4
ines- required very large income
The monfy constituting this an
nual income came directly from
the pockets of the people, mainly
from people who were the least
able to stand the loss of it.
What did the people of Wallowa
county get il return for this vast
expenditure? Something to add
to their health or happiness?
something that added to the COM
forts OF their homes? Something
hat added to the happiness of wife
Or children? Something that
made them better citizens of the
county or better equipped for the
Idn'ies of life9 Emphat'cally NO
This vast saloon expenditure rep
resented an absolute loss to the
people of Wallowa( county. They
received nothing of value in return.
WHAT then has been the result
OF prohibition from business
standpoint to the people of Wal
Iowa county? This vast sum of
money formerly absorbed through
the eleven saloons of the county,
has, since July 1st, 1906, been
turned into legitimate channels of
business, and, in the main, has
been expanded in the purchase of
articles Of food, clothing and other
comforts of the home, thereby
bringing Joy into many joyless
homes. The diverting of this
great sum of money per annum
from mere waste TO legitimate ex-
penditures has had .quickening
influence upon the general business
OF the county that has been par
tic,lnrly felt in the mercantile bus
mess.
Is this a mere assertion or do
the facts confirm it? Ask any
reputable business man in the
county, and he will tell YOU that
since the date of the taking effect
OF the prohibition law, business has
been better than during any previ-
Gus time of the same duration.
He will further tell yon that dur
ing the prohibition period there
has been noticeable and healthy
increase in his cash sales and that
collections have been easier, not
wlthstanding the TACT that panic
has prevailed during 'he past six
months. One of the leading mer-
camille firms Of the county, speak
ing through its manager, is, on
record as saying: During tn.
mon b of December, 1907, our firm
made more cash sales and took in
more cash thar during any previ-
Gus December since we have been
in business in Wallowa county"
Indeed tits the verdict of business
men generally that prohih ton has
helped the general business of the
county to a very noticeable extent;
thus destroying the only argument
of the saloon men for the existence
II the saloon: That prohibition
would destroy the prosperity oil
he county. As further evidence
II the beneficial effects of prohibi-
ION upon the commercial prosper
ty of the ty, let it be noted !
hat most of the buildings formerly
sed for saloons are now used for mer.
antile purposes, thus increasing the
business of the county. In
imost every instance the saloon has |
een succeeded by grocery, general
,erchandise or some other useful and 4
eneficial business, and in many in.
,ances the saloon men til, n selves have |,
ecome merchants doing prosperous
usiness and have declared their inten- :
ons never to return to the saloon bus
iess. :
Are these facts not a sufficient answer
tho question, HAS prohibition
aped or hurt the business interests of
iallowa county?"
From moral standpoint, how has
'ohibition affected the county? \
Will any man dare deny that the
aral tone of the county has b ell i'm
owed under the effects OF the prolibi-
IN law? Are not the evidences upon :
cry hand that our towns are cleaner, :.
lrer and freer from vice and immoral
at this time than they were two
ars ago, when the saloon as in the 1
yday of its power in this county.
ith the abahshnisnt OF the saloon
snt the several adjuncts and an un
sirable class OF people that seem to be
neces' AIRY art of the business. To
y ia any of the towns of the county
'men and children can go along the
'eets with perfect safety and free from
9 liability of insult and association
tn drunken debauchees--a condition
at was not possible under the saloon
stem. II was noticeable fact that at
. recent primary election in this
inty intoxicated men were coaspi,.
us by their absence, aud the same
ldition has been true OF all pablic |
,herinrs since the takinp eff .,t Of ~, III