The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1909-10-07

ment on Gan Answer OF the Kew.
Ellis. replying to article written by
me, and published In the HERALD
Sept. 10th, ! desire in the first
instance to thank you for the
opportunity Of replying to him,
and correcting some of the mistate-
ments made in bis asticle Of the Esd
ult. in reply to "a Farmer"
Again referring to his communi-
cation, submit that Ignorance"
like professions Of high and lofty
morals. may cover a multitude Of
sins, and Notwithstanding the fact
that / am farmer. It does not fol-
low that in order to air ones views
marrow mindedly, or otherwise) on
local option, or any other public
question, Il is necessary to write
ones self down as an asinine don
key. The Rev. Ellis is at liberty to
appropriate so much Of the foregoing
TO himself as the facts In the contro-
versy may suggest. In parenthesis
have limited that one may be so
constituted that his or her viewpoint
may be contracted; but for one Ibe-
lieve that in all questions affecting
the general public. whether in NOR
ais or economics. one should be
broadminded and liberal enough to
accord 10 his neighbor the right of
difference Of opinion, but some of
the prohibitionists seem 10 be otner-
wise COMMUNICATIONS Of them are
not only narrow minded but pessi-
mistic->-the Rev. Ellis himself, while
circulating the petition solicited the
signature Of sober, industrious me-
chanic, who, upon refusing to sign.
vas designated by the reverend gen.
tleman as asspinhead. Not long
since I was conversing With a prom
ineni business man Of this place up
on this phase Of the question, when
be remarked that II some Of the
boosters" in charge Of the local OPP
ton campaign here had the contract
to dig the Panama canal it would not
be dug more than two feet vide and
six inches deep.
do not wish TO be understood
that ! am opposed TO moral reform.
That many earnest men and women
are honestly working for prohibition
from principle l do not deny, and
10 this connection would suggest that
there are other fields for reforma-
ton that could be exploited here in
our own midst that is Of vastly more
importance 10 this community than
the submission of this "wet or dry"
question.
But ! am opposed to the methods
pursued to bring about this agitation.
| firmly believe that this agitation of
the liquor question was inspired,
brought about and is being paid for
by contributions from the Trust Mag |
mates for political purposes. They |
have thrown around il the mantle of !
Prohibition to detract public atten-
ton from railroad and trust legisla-
ton. Already We see political as
pirants squareing themselves to meet
the popular wave. Gov. Brady,
Judge Alshie and even Nose Alex
ander have already climbed on the
s'water wagon" and l understand
that "our Paul" even spoke for a
"front seat with the driver" at the
close of the session Of the Terrible
Tenth" but up to the present writ
ing Barney. the handsome" has not
"shied bis castor into the ring" But
pardon me, Mr.. Editor, for this d.
gression.
In my first article ! only intended
to call the attention of the taxpayers
to the useless expense of a special
election, bat the warning was sound
ed too late--the mischief is upon us.
The Rev. Ellis took exceptions to
what had to say from the stand
point of a taxpayer, and from NOR
al point Of view has undertaken to
show that we are taxed" for crimes
whi:h are the sproduc," Of Lewiston
saloons. Time. space and inclina-
ton forbid that / undertake to dis
cuss this question from : moral
standpoint. am not preacher nor