Norwich bulletin., 1909-09-20
TEMPERANCE CRUSADE CONTINUED
Pastors Put Forth Their Arguments the Evil of Open Saloon and Declare It Should Be Voted Out of Ex- istencs.

their associates and a much better chance for education and honorable success in life. I appeal to every la borer who patronizes the bar to throw off this yoke. Assert your personal liberty. By all means, vote No.
 The Open Mind.
 At the First Baptist church, Sunday morning, Rev. w. T. Thayer said re- garding the no-license question:: What is the natural result of holding the mind open to evidence, of following an enlightened reason as guide to con- duct?
 As an illustration, President Charles w. Eliot. before the No-License league of Massachusetts, on October 29. 1OS, said in substance that when no-license was first proposed in Camoridge he was not in favor of it, because he was so-called moderate drinker and he never felt any ill-effects from the use of beer or wine, because he did not believed the no-license policy could be enforced and because he believed in personal liberties. These three rasons made him license man. But from youth he was taught to believe in the open mind. Exact observation and just inference are the only safe foun- dation of knowledge which should de- termine conduct. Following this prin- NAPAC fiC hCPl dl OpCn IlllAQ lON dA oAA burning questions and that Is the req son why, he says, T have changed my mind about license and no-li- cense." And an open mind led him to the following facts: CD Recent re- searches in physiology and medicine tend strongly to show even moderate drinking is inexpedient; CD under To- cal option the law can be enforced. as illustrated by Cambridge. a city of 100000; (3) while believing firmly in personal liberties still if no-license is interference with personal liberties, then the great collective good justi- fies the exclusion of the saloons from the city streets-in other words, the closing of the open saloon. These three facts made President Eliot a mo- license man. What an open mind did for a man of President Eliot's calibre an open mind before the saloon prob lem will do for all because a closed mind will lead the wise into error, but an open mind will usher the simple into truth.
 An interesting study is found in the matter of high school education. Bear in mind that Massachusetts has 20 no-license cities. while Connecticut has IS cities, all of which are license. In all license cities and towns Gin Mas sachusetts) there is one high school pupil to 64 population; in all no-li- cense cities and towns there is one high school pupil to 51 population. Connecticut has s.172 high school pu- pills an average of 1 to every 65 pop ulation. On the basis of the above comparison and under a system of es- tablished no-license, there ought to be 10,537 high school pupils. In other words. the system of license deprives 2,365 boys and girls in Connecticut of a high school education. And Nor wich has her share. In this city there is one high school pupil to 70 of pop ulation. On basis of comparison with Massachusetts no-lic5nse cities, and under a system of established mo- license, we would have one high school pupil to 51 population. In other words at least 125 boys and girls in our city are deprived of high school educa- tion by our license system.
 For a number of years the proximity of a saloon to a church or school is limited to two hundred feet. But by a change of law there are now nine saloons within that limit.
 Now, look at the facts. The county commissioners are made sole judges as to the suitability of granting li- censes, but these saloons are allowed to remain in defiance of the spirit of the law. Conviction of law violation may forfeit a license, but the custom of the courts to '1et off" in the first offense, and the dodge of having the bar tender fined instead of the pro- prietor removes the possibility of help here in the closing of these saloons within 200 feet of church or school By carrying Norwich no-license for one term, then if we return to the license column in two years none of these g saloons could reopen within the 200- limit of church or school
 There is no possible equity in fla vor Of such a proposition" said Gov eTnor Weeks, when he vetoed the bill drawn to protect these saloons in case a town went no-license and then re- turned to license.
 Here, then is stubborn fact. In this state of Connecticut there stands no power between the youth of our schools and close contamination of the saloon whose promoters exhibit this spirit of unfairness and injustice but fearless governor and the voter.
 Voter, stand by the governor, de- fend the interests of the growing gen. eration, and by your ballot help to ex- pei from the close proximity of our schools and churches, for. in the words of President Eliot, the absence of the saloon is highly advantageous to the whole population, men, women and children"