Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-04-11

it has not always been so. Time was
within the memory of men of today |
when the saloon was a legitimate in |
stitution in Rock Island, but saloon |
contamination has run back through
"a somewhat extended period, ;
developing from year to yeas
a lamentable state of affairs
of which The Argus mas often
commented, which it has frequently
force that it has brought upon its
shoulders attacks from self interested
individuals who were greatly dis
pleased with the papers attitude
Both the disreputable dive and the
auxiliary to the saloon harDoring Sc.
cret violations of law and decency
affording a means of livelihood to the
CRATER and the gobetween have been
denounced in these columns times
without number.
During the time. that the local OPP
ton issue was pending the argu-
ment was made that immoral condi-
tons which unchecked had grown
| into the liquor traffic to such an ex-
| tent as to debauch it and bring it
down to level where it had become
subject of disgrace to the business.
The Argus, while admitting that
all these allegations were based upon
fact, still questioned the efficacy of
prohibition as affording the reforma-
ton SO devoutly desired. 1t held
and still holds other means entirely
logical of putting the saloon in its
place and keeping it there to be pos
sible, and should be put into force.
| The day following the election,
when it was shown that the vast pre-
lponderance of sentiment in Rock Is
land was against prohibition, it was
pointed out by The Argus that a cor
rect analysis of The vote would be-
yond argument show that of those
who voted against prohibition at least
rs per cent were not saloon advo-
Gates. 1t was maintained that this
vote represented men who while not
in sympathy with the arguments in
support of prohibition. felt that the
psychological moment had arrived to
enforce drastic laws and to give the
saloons a chance TO demonstrate that
they are willing to yield to just legis-
lation, however burdensome it may
prove to be, in order to be permitted
to remain in the business. Assuming
this to be the popular sentiment, The
Argus in the same connection sug-
lgested in general terms three policies
which it deemed worthy of considera-
ton in bringing the saloon to time
The three methods thus presented
were restriction, regulation and en-
lforcement. There was no attempt to
outline specifics. it being felt that the
newspaper is not the law giver or the
instrument of law enforcement
| When the very same night Alder
man Ostrom presented in the council
two ordinances providing for saloon
restriction and saloon regulation, the
|, one by limitation. and other by q
higher license, twin propositions
which must go hand in hand through
: the council to be of effect, this paper
| promptly sustained both as; consistent
with the policy it had proposed. II
took this stand with the same integ
rity of purpose that will mark it's at
titude with reference to any deter
mined move looking to Unbending en-
, forcement of proper regulation. Nc
law, however moderate or however
!, severe, can be of avail unless it is en-
forced. And no law that does no
have back of it the sympathy of the
people where 1t is to apply, can BIZ
successfully put into effect. The PEG
PIE of Rock Island are not disposed
toward prohibition, and it is no
thought they ever will be unless the,
are driven to it as a last desperate
expedient against any element tina
> fights reasonable legislation and be
comes arrogant in its defiance of tn,
principles of public decency and tn,
reasonable requirements Of just legis
2 lation.
+ Since the election of last Tuesda,
! the AUTHORIZATION league has takel
a most praiseworthy and gratifyin,
stand in pledging itself not only t.
, rid the liquor traffic of the odium tina
n attaches to it in all too many in
l. stances in Rock Island, but to &C
v operate with the properly constitutes
authorities in accomplishing the end
of reform demanded by the public
( There are those connected with tn
S liquor traffic, The Argus regrets t
: know, who have construed the pos
ton so taken by the Anti-Prohibitio
league, as implying that the liquo
II interests are disposed to assume tn
y position that the business is to b
l. Ipurged of wickedness only by thos
o. engaged in it and not by those will
out, whether the common council or OIL
: erwise. This is not what common INTEL
o gence would construe the sentiment vol
l. ed by the Anti-Prohibition league, whic
n seemed to be that the body stood fc
, public decency and would be In Ell
tire sympathy With any move lookin
- to the attainment of that purpos
n. that it would act both in its ow
Of capacity and in a cooperative sens
II in, hrfnoiv1n oh ~ ~