Norwich bulletin., 1909-10-04

evening a rally for men, the final meet
ing of the no-license campaign, filled
every seat on two floors of the house
and many men stood and listened to
the speakers with interest. After one
or two numbers on the programme had
been given the top gallery was opened
and the overflow took seats up there.
1t was an audience that listened with
the closest attention to the telling
points made, applauding the speakers
with enthusiasm.
John #. Shea of Cambridge, Mass,
national secretary of the G. T. A. u,
who was here in the campaign last
year, was the speaker of the evening,
receiving an ovation that lasted several
minutes when he was introduced to
make his address.
Rev. c. II. Ricketts, was chairman,
opening the rally by announcing the
first hymn, Onward, Christian Sol
diers, in which male chorus of TWEEN
ty led the singing. Charles Q. Muir
him from Rev. Father Cassidy of st.
Mary's cathedral, Fall River, in con-
tradiction of certain statements pub
lished in a weekly sheet issued in this
city, and asserting that no-hcense had
had disastrous effect in Fall River.
Ignorance of Deceit.
The Fall River priest stated that
they were made either in total ignor-
ance or were rank deceit and false
hood. Whereas Fall River had reach
ed the limit Of its borrowing capacity
under sixteen years of license, the let
ter stated that the tax had been re-
duced under no-license and great pub
lie improvements in roads. fire depart
ment, schoolhouses and libraries made.
For everyone voting for nO-license last
year there would be ten to vote for it
next time.
A soprano solo, Eye Hath Not Seen,
from Gaul's Holy City, was rendered
with fine expression by Mrs George 7.
Lord, F. w. Lester being the accom-
PIANIST.
A collection was taken while o. E.
Ryther, chairman of the executive COM
mittee, told of some of the work done
during the campaign in the distribution
of literature.
Review by Rev. c. n. Ricketts,.
Rev. Mr.. Ricketts, concisely reviewed
the merits of the arguments presented
by the opposing sides in the campaign,
saying that he felt compelled as a
judge to decide that the decision must
be given overwhelmingly to no-ncense.
The saloon was not a friend of morals
and religion. There had been two
points around which the arguments
had centered-the financial and the
feasible. As to the financial, the sa-
out of it $590.000. There was no
equivalent to show for this latter
amount. In every instance where pro-
hibition or no-license is on trial it
prohibits If the people say it shall pro-
hibit. 1t is up 20 the people. These
two statements. Rev. Mr. Ricketts, said,
had been proved by the no-license ad-
vocates: /. That alcohol is a poison.
2. That the city of Norwich is rum
ridden and a change is demanded. He
closed with a fervent appeal for the
1000 boys of Norwich between and 16
that they might be freed from the
handicap of the saloon by the voters on
election day.
Rousing Reception for Mr.. Shea.
To embalm, cremate and bury the
corrupt remains of the saloon. Mr.
Shea declared was his purpose in his
opening words, after the rousing re-
ception which followed the introduce
ton by Rev. Mr.. Ricketts,. Eleven
thousand saloons in the United States
closed in the last year made it the
most successful in the war. A victory
against the saloon would be a victory
for God. He charged the members of
the c. T. A. U. to deliver their votes
against the saloon, this temperance or
ganiZation being the greatest, Of moth
er church and bringing the greatest
blessing mother church can give. He
reminded the knights Of Columbus
members of the bar imposed against
saloon keepers by this order. and told
the members OF the A. o. n. that the
saloon was fighting to destroy the
faith for which their fathers fought
and died and as member of the
Holy Name society he said 1t was his
duty to stand and declare against the
saloon. which Archbishop Ireland has
said has an air laden with vileness
and blasphemy. Don't make a mockery
of your prayers by voting to support
the 50 saloons of Norwich. The or
ganized liquor traffic is an enemy of
womanhood. childhood. and the church
and all religious institutions. The
church or the brewery is the question
to be decided at this election.
Mr.. Shea ridiculed the model license
league and raised a laugh that shook
the house when he told their parade
in Newark. which carried a banner
saying: Attention, liberal men. Vote
for the open Sunday. What did God
ever do for the saloon keeper and
the brewery" God never did any
thing for them. said the speaker, their
best friend. is the devil.
None Should Vete for Saloon.
A vote against the saloon would be
in line with good Catholic doctrine to
avoid OCCASIONS of evil and he declared
that none of his people ought to cast
their ballots to prolong the 50 oc-
casions for evil in Norwich. Mr.. Shea
told of a telephone message from Fa-
Their Cassidy in Fan River that he
would offer up the mas son Sunday
and on Monday for the success of the
no-Hcense cause in Norwich. Mr.. Shea