The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1910-09-24

These ngures are indisputable. and
they show concIusively that while the
prohibitory laws that have been ad-
opted in recent years to so great an
extent In this country have destroyed
millions Of private property and hum
dreds OF millions OF revenues, and
while they have destroyed the peace
and good win that should exist in CON-
munities. and have turned father
against son and son against father,
and while they have destroyed that
respect for law which is the foundation
Iof good government, they have not
arrested in the slightest degree the
consumption OF alcoholic beverages.
nor they have not brought any Of the
benefits SO eloquently and persistently
promised by the orators and writer's
Of the Anti-Saloon League.
The reason that prohibition does
not prohibit is because it does not for
bid the purchase. possession or use OF
alcoholic beverages, and in conse-
quence, the very large majority OF the
people who live in prohibition states.
whether they voted for the law or
against 1t, provide themselves with
wine. beer and whisky. and in this
way become violators Of the spirit II
not Of the letter Of the law, and this
fact renders the enforcement Of such
laws a practical impossibility.
An investigation of conditions in
prohibition territory reminds one Of
the story Of the negro who was tried
for stealing sheep. and who xas
cleared Notwithstanding overwhel Il
ing evidence as to his guilt. ON his
attorneys expressing surprise at the
verdict. the darky explained that
eleven Of the jurymen helped aim 10
steal the sheep.
Should Oklahoma vote to retain pro-
hibition those who want liquor sor
beverage purposes will continue TO
order it from a bootlegger or through
q mail order house. and those who do
not wan. it for beverage purposes viii
order it as in the past. as a matter of
Drecaution for medicinal purposes.
md the result will be that the con.
sumption Of liquor in Oklahoma wIn
continue 70 aggregate a greater
amount under prohibition than It
would under the license system.
The only solution of the liquor prob
EN- lies in regulation along the lines
recently suggested in an interview BY
Judge F NJ. simonton. II Tampa. Fla.
IN which he says:
1T is well known that the saloon
keeper like men engaged in other
ines Of business. viii violate the law
when Il is profitable to do so. and
whenever he finds that a violation Of !
he law will result in iFreparable loss
O him. be will be as law-abiding as
iny other citizen in the community.
1T seems to me that the number Of
aloons should be limited to one for
900 or i.500 people in the community,
nd only one license should be issued
0 one individual. and that to the man
Fho actually conducts or has charge
4 the business When a man either
els liquor on Sunday, or sells to
minors or to drunken people, or In [
NJ way violates the Law. his license /
houid be suspended FOR ninety days.
nd let his saloon be absolutely clos
q and locked up BY the sheriff dur
ng that time. and upon a second con
iction Of the violation Of law. let his
eense be canceled and him sbe for
yer denied the privilege Of having
mother license IN the state. l.
This will result in making the busi-
ess more profitable. and ii improving
be character Of the men engaged ii
be business II win alfeof,a&a *k<