The Cecil Whig., 1910-10-22
VOTE DOWN LIQUOR MONOPOLY
Rousing Rally For Prohibitory Law--Issue Of Home
Versus Saloon Ably Presented

tcntion was paid to the speakers OF
the evening whose telling points were
quickly noted and warmly applauded
w. E. Evans, Esq, presided. Rev.
II. A. G. Westcrfeld opened the pro-
ceedings with prayer, invoking divine
favor for the Temperance cause and
guidance Of voters at the coming cleo
ton on the liquor license question Mr.
Evans said the large audience by its
presence manifest ed its interest in the
question at issue. He had consented
to preside because he deemed it the
duty OF everyone interested i'll the
present good moral condition OF the
community to work for its mainten-
ance. During the past thirty years
the people OF the county had favored
license for but eight years with an in
terval OF four yeas Of Prohibition be-
tween the license periods. He felt
sure that there was a majority III the
county now in favor OF Prohibition.
but he feared apathy, and could not
ioresee the outcome at the polls. The
friends OF Prohibition should agitate
up to election day the women espec-
tally. Nothing but apathy could bring
about the return OF license. The
friends OF Prohibition should work and
talk from now till election Mr.. Evans
then introduced Rev DR.. John McEl-
moyle.
DR.. McElmoyle said the issue was
whether the voters should say at the
polls that the Liquor License Board
be again called in service to grant IL
censes to 81 bars, thus restoring the
limited liquor monopoly in the county
or the Prohibitory law be continued
The people should ask what good rea-
sons there were for restoring the liq-
nor traffic The burden of proof was
on the would-be liquor dealer to give
reasons for the re-granting oi the
liquor monopoly, The question was
which is best, License or Prohibition?
5,e seekers after license did not come
:. ',rNard but were skuiking and but
90 tonholing voters secretly,
First he would ask-'Is there any
good business reason for restoring
license? Would the establishment OF
this limited local whiskey trust be a
god business venture or a square deal
to other business mem" The value
of the 81 saloons would be enhanced,
perhaps, but how about that of other
business locations. The Government.
from its District Attorneys up to the
Supreme Court, with the aid OF the
Executive, was at work warning upon
the Trusts" Should we. at such a
time establish whiskcy trust in the
county? The Fl bars would be open
ed and run for gain. Suppose that
each made at the lowest estimate
S25oo year; all would make $50, 900 a
year or $4,000 for the four years of
license. Where would this grand to-
tal OF earnings. more likely 100000,
come from? Simply out OF the pock-
cts OF the people and diverted from
merchants who supply the needs OF
households. But think OF the rcvc-
nue. the county would gain from IL
cenSe.' urge the friends Of license
After paying the Liquor License
Board the county would get about
$4,000 revenue in the four years which
would not pay for building three-quar-
tcrS OF a mile oi the new Elkton-
Chesapeake City road at the contract
price accepted. The $2oo,ooo or 500 -
900 receipts OF the bars would come
from the people and lessen the receipts
"f merchants Rum and Ruin and
Prohibition and Prosperity go togo
ther'
us there any good reason from a
social standpoint, for restoring the
bars: Do they contribute to the up
lift of the community" The saloon
advocates point to the anti-ecction
drunks, when the weak are deliber-
ately tempted, as an argument against
Prohibition. But there il one distinc-
tive feature in Prohibition and that is
1T prevents nr lessons treating which
the open bar promotes and invites.
there is nothing uplifting about the
bar. 1t does not rest on liberty but
rather subverts liberty.
Can any reason for suffering the
saloon be advanced from consideration
tor the rights or claims OF Labor?"
Rule q. OF the Pennsylvania Railroad,
Tor the guidance OF its employees, an
nWerS that question, 1t prohibits the
Use OF intoxicants to employees while
on duty and makes their habitual Use
or trequentlng places where they are
sold ground for dismissal Here is a
suthcient argument where working
Is there any educational value in the
saloon? The greatest value of Pro-
hibtion is not so much the curtailng
of the sale of liquor as the lessenine
OF the temptations Of the weak. Abb
sence of saloons is of great value to
the young. Men drunk under license
are legally drunk. while those drunk
under Prohibition are made so bv the
wrong doing Of others. But what are
we going to do al out this momcntous
matter? The frie nds OF Prohibition
should be up and doing. Arrayed on
their side were practically united bust
ness men OF the county who declare
that to restore license would be a
Z. business blunder. Lined up with the
business men are the weak who wish
20 be saved from temptation Every