The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1909-03-19
HIS ATTITUDE
ON CLUB QUESTION
COUNCILMAN CURTIS WRITES
TO SAY HE DID NOT EVEN
THINK OF THE CLUBS,
aAstoria, Or. March Y, 1900.

by Interior motives in presenting th'
ordinance relative to saloons being
closed on Sunday, with an assertion
that Mr., Karinen and myself wer,
in cohoots in evil designs against thl
Irving Club, Whatever motives Mr.
Karinen may have had. | know moth.
ing OF Speaking for myself, / desire
to correct the impression urged, The
ordinance regulating Sunday closing
was introduced with the best, Of
motives and to correct existing
abuses. II in no way referred to the
Irving or the Astoria Athletic Asso'
citation, nor was it the intention Of
including either within the purview
of the ordinance. The Irving Club is
one of the best institutions in the
city, the only place where visitors
and investors can meet to discuss
private business matters, in addition
to providing a resort for its members
and friends from outside cities, 1t is
exclusively a family affair, composed
Of prominent business men and lead
ing citizens of the city. Had the or
dinanee exempted the Irving Club
and the Astoria Athletic Association
from its provisions, it would be a
special law and not a general one and
therefore null and void. All criminal
and quasi-criminal laws and ordi-
nances must be general.
"The Athletic Association is a place
for young boys and girls where they
can acquire an education distinct
from a street education-the latter
ruination of many young people. 1t
provides a place Of recreation and
amusement for its large and increas-
ing membership and it should be
fostered and assisted financially by
everyone in Astoria, and nothing
should be encouraged to impair the
usefulness and benefits Of either. My
understanding is, based upon the law
and decisions of higher courts, that
Sunday closing laws, and regulations
of the liquor traffic do not apply TO
either institution. The Irving Club is
open to members on Sunday, but ii
ioes not come within the scope and
intent of the law. 1t is not required
10 pay license and the ordinance
saloons to close on Sunday
would not apply to the Irving Club.
~ desire to demonstrate against
he assertion that there is joker in
he Sunday closing ordinance. 1t fol-
ows the state law, except that it makes
second conviction forfeiture OF the |
license, an effective clause to compel
IS observance. There seems to be
lash between the sheriff and the |
,olice as to whose duty it is to en-
orce the Sunday law. The police |
maintain, inasmuch as it is a state
aw, the duty devolves upon the |
herif. If it is a city ordinance the
Iuty would devolve upon the police,
nd in order to settle this much vexed
question, the ordinance was intro
Iuced. Voluntary observance Of IL
uor laws would be more conducive
0 the liquor interests than compul-
ory ordinances, but a number OF
hose engaged in the business seem
0 have no conception Of the duty
njoined upon them, and it is this
varicious spirit that requires laws
nd ordinances to compel due observ-
nee Of laws approved by large
majority Of the people. | have no
against any organization in
he city and none against the liquor
interests, but | believe SALOON men
re working an injury to themselves
! not voluntarily obeying all laws
egulating the traffic; and know
the ordinance meets with
he hearty approval Of the better
lass of saloon men. AS to its effic-
,ncy it rests with the police. If they
nforce the ordinance the result will
c beneficial. If they refuse, then
ne Common Council is power
,ss and it will be useless to pass any {
ny more ordinances for the suppress
ion of vice and crime and in the
lterests Of the morality Of the city. {
resolves itself to a question wheth-
r parents desire to raise children for /
and decency, or for the !
and reform school. 1t is q
question whether saloons shall exist 9
y sufferance providing they comply {
ith the law, or whether the people +
i'll invoke local option. Between /
lese questions those engaged in the a
luor traffic must choose. t
&C. J. CURTIS" i