Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-03-28

Citations, and are compelled to come in
contact with the influences exerted by
the ctty's standard of morality. But
perhaps my critic would not compre-
bend the altruistic motive; therefore
will state that, being a farmer, and
regarding Ottumwa as the main mar
ket place for the products of my in
dustry, l have direct financial inter-
est in the upbuilding of the city.
Mr.. Silvers takes exception to the
statement that Kansas City, Kansas,
is more prosperous without the sa-
looms than with them. He first posi-
lively asserts that my source of infor.
nation is wrong, then says that az
cording to authentic reports"
soothingly satisfying sound that
phrase has, yet how conveniently in
definite-a horrible succession Of
evils has followed the abolition of the
saloons. He calls attention to the as
founding fact that cutting off the sa-
loon license money decreases the city
revenues, and necessitates a raise in
the tax rate. Remarkable discovery,
that; yet any school boy could have
predicted that result The question IS
shall the city get its revenues from
legitimate taxation, Or by accepting
the blood money paid over by the sa.
looms for the privilege or debauchinfs
the public? The satisfaction of hav.
Ing low tax rate is no excuse for de-
llberately corrupting the citizenship
of the town and mercilessly subjecting
the younger generation to the deadly
mlasma of the dramshop, and the
bawdy house. Besides, the saving in
taxes is really no saving after all, for
1t is taken many fold from the pockets
of the people in the shape of incre-
ment to the liquor dealers.
He also states that the enforcement
OF prohibition caused great decrease
in the working force and efficiency of
all the city departments. To be sure.
But he really did not think it worth
while to mention the fact that the
state officials charged with the en-
forcement of the law were greatly
handicapped by the hostility of the
city officials, who were rabid saloon
men, and who did everything in their
power to nullify the efforts of the at
torney general, and to make prohibit
ton seem a failure.
MY authority for the statement that
Kansas City, Kansas is experiencing
prosperity under prohibition is Assist.
ant Attorney General Trickett of Kan
sas, and | believe his evidence is at
least as much to be credited as that
Of the saloon element In an inter
view given to VIM. E. Curtis, and pub
lished in the Chicago Record Herald,
he makes it very plain that the alb.
sence of the saloons is a decided ben
eft. He undertook the job of enforc.
ing the law at the instance of the gov.
ernor, for his own sentiments did not
concur with the law, but the benefi.
clal results proved great surprise.
Inc interview states that the liquor
element had always controlled the
elections, giving at one time ma.
Jor1ty of 1000 to mayor whose plat.
form was Damn the constitution and
the laws of the state of Kansas; the
saloons shall rum In spite of the
prayers and protests of the business
men, Attorney Trickett declared that
he would enforce the law If it made
desert of the country and turned
the city back into the wilderness. And
he did enforce the law. He says
For eighteen months this city has ex.
listed without saloon or bawdy
house. The mayor, the chief of police
and the county attorney have been
ousted from Office. 500 buildings have
been put under permanent Injunction
not to be used for the sale of liquors
and 1900 citizens also put under sim.
liar injunction never again to sell H.
quor in the county. 100 former saloon
keepers were put under bonds to the
same effect More than 100 others
are out on bail during good behavior
and 300 more are banished as undesir.
able citizens. Still Kansas City, Kas
is not yet wiped off the map, and wy.
andotte county is not yet desert"
Here are some of the evidences
OF a greater prosperity given in the
| interview: The business men are
highly pleased; agreeing that the abol
ition of the saloon has proved OF great
benefit to business. An increase OF
so per cent noted in the business of
one savings bank, rs per cent of the
new customers being Of the class that
formerly spent their money for drink
More people buying and building good
homes than in any of the past seven.
teen years. An increase of 200 per
cent in building operations. Three
times as many laboring men as ever
| before in the history of the city have
bought homes Of their own. Increase
of children seeking admission to pub.
| lie schools necessitated the employ.
ment of Is more teachers, being 10 to
II more than have been required in
any former year to keep pace with
the increase in population. 600 OF
these children, IL to Is years of age
| had not attended formerly because
they had to assist drinking father
to earn the living for the family. Mr.
Trickett adds
This experience has been duplicat
ed in every city and town in the state
in which the prohibition law has been
enforced. Go all over the state, and
the people will tell you that wherever
the anti-saloon law has been enforced
the place, without single exception
| has enjoyed a boom-a prosperity
such as it never knew before"
| Furthermore, three cities are left in
which the law is openly defled, Leav
enworth, Atchison and Pittsburg, and
each and every one Of these places
shows a decrease In population.
| Yet the Ottumwa association for the
manufa Cturo Of inahriatac has tho CIR