Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-04-08
Election Results and the Duty of
the Hour.

The one-sided result of yesterdays
election in Rock Island, taken in itself
or in connection with the vote through
out the state on the issue of anti.
saloon territory, which means the ex.
pertinent of prohibition, must not be
taken by the liquor interests as vim
dication in any sense of the word.
The Argus ventures to say that a
very big percentage of the negative
vote in Rock Island yesterday repre-
scented opposition to the means pro-
posed of eradicating an acknowledged
evil, and not justification of the sa-
loon as it is now conducted.
There are two principles embodied
in the theory Of prohibition from the
standpoint of its opponents. One is
that of personal liberty as it applies
to the individual. This view of the
case influenced many. The other is
that of practicability, conscientiously
considered. This, too, had its effect in
guiding the attitude of the electors.
That there were hundreds of citizens
who voted against the enforcement of
local option in Rock Island because
they felt that regulation affords the
most expedient process Of deal
ling with, the subject is an in
lcontrovertfble statement. That the
voters so acting would only sus
tain prohibition as last desperate ex
treme in the event of continuance OIL
i defiance of law, but who, while voting
as they did, made firm mental res
ervation that intolerable conditions
not perhaps more of the present than
Of the past, will be no longer over
looked, no student Of the situation will
deny. In this undercurrent of feeling
which any sane mind will recognize as
existing, is a warning to the liquor
interests that will be disregarded al
their peril. They must reform; ant
while it is gratifying to note that these
very interests in Rock Island have al
ready recognized the underlying feel
ings of public sentiment and have
made a move consistent with ante
election promises, they must realize
too. that those involved canno
alone prescribe either the extent O
the limit of the conditions that ma,
be imposed. To the full degree tina
the saloon and it's control cooperate
in the work of reform, the better, bu
there may come, and will come, regu
Ilations and restrictions that may b.
Objectionable to them, and yet will
apply with binding force to the situa
ton. Strict respect for the law OF
the one hand and enforcement of tn
law on the other are the first requ
sites to well regulated city. TIL
wedding out of the dives and the cor
sequent diminutioB of the number @
saloons, the removal of every adjunc
that debauches the traffic, as we'll a
the patron, and, in fact, an entire r,
adjustment of the question in all il
ramifications and bearings. in
manner that will be permanent an
lasting and which will give no occasio
for complaint from the average cit
zen, is absolutely essential to publ
morals and public welfare.
What is more than this, the time
establish the new conditions that wi
define the legitimate saloon and put
: in it's place and keep it there, is not
= the future, but in the present. tt
policy of procrastination and evasio
/ has gone to its full limit The tin
e for action, for definite action, is
/ hand.
s 1t is again pertinent to say that it
S a condition and not theory that co
y fronts us.