Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1910-12-16
larles A. South Answers Il
Argus Leader.

FARMERS LEADER: 1 clipped the
following article from the Argus
Leader OF the 3rd Of this month, to
which l want to make a reply:
For the year ending June 80, 90, the
nations drink bill was greater than it
had ever been before, and this in spite
Of the largely increased 'tdry" terri
tory of which our prohibition friends
are won't to boast, The official re-
port of the internal revenue depart
ment shows THAT the nation consumed
thirty million gallons more Of distil-
led spirits than for the preceding
year, three million more barrels OF
beer, and smoked an even billion
more cigarets than for the other year.
1t is the statement of the depart
ment that Illicit distilling and other
manufacturing Of moonshine whiskey
is Oh the increase, Especially" it
de1ares. where there are statewide
prohibition laws"
1t seems somewhat remarkable
that whenever Editor Day finds
anything that disparages the prohibit
tion cause, he most throws a connip-
ton fit, but there is no excuse for an
editor no place before his readers
matters OF this kind claiming them
to be official when they are not. News
papers have an individuality the same
as men and their merits rise or fall
with their merits. The person who
buys a paper is entitled to the news
the truth. When he doesnstget it
he Is defrauded just that much. but
In this matter there is no Justification
in making this statement when the
records are before the writer of the
article in question, and if you will dc
the public the favor Of publishing
these statistics, you will confer a fav-
or on your readers, for the records are
not accessible to ali your readers.
In the first place, 'sthe drink bill
was the greatest last year that it ever
was BEFORE Had he looked a little
farther, he would have found that in
1901, $500, 100000 was collected in the
revenue department, whichiis $55, 900,
600 greater than was collected In 1908.
During eight years we should have
had an increase Of population Of ap-
proximately 1000, 900. Certainly there
is nothing in this to make Editor
Day feel joyful, but about the 10000,
coo gallons consumed in 1910 over 1909,
the records show there was an increase
OF i5,o6o,5o o OF spirits and 3,0oo,o00 OF
beer, which would make an increase
Of 10000, 900, not thirty. The same
records further show that there was
nearly 100000 gallons less consumed
in 1909 than In 1908, that there was q
decrease in 1908 over 1907 OF l6, 600, 900.
The exact figures sof revenue collect
ions o. drinks, in 1910 was 1879 million
dollars, In 1907, 200 million dollars.
The net decrease In three years was
Sl0,OOO,OOO. It must be borne in mind
that 1907 was a large producing year
and somewhat above the average. AS
I see it, there is nothing In the re.
cords to discourage the prohibitionisUs
but much to encourage, and II Editor
Day can CLEAN any comfort from the
records, why he is easily comforted.
HM IMAT L
The Sioux City Tribune says that
Judge William c. Gunmere, OF the
supreme court OF New Jersey, whom
President Taft may appoint to the
supreme bench Of the United States,
once wsote in a solemn judicial opinion
that the life OF a child killed by q
railroad was worth slips. From a
standpat view point Judge Gunmere
would make an ideal supreme court
Justice.
The Canton Milling Co. will make
flour Monday and from the condi tion
Of the equipment and the ability Of
the gentlemen In charge, from the
engineer up. we have reason to ex-
pectt . ffne = quality OF ffou as was
ever used In Canton, and time will
prove that the Canton mill product
Will be equal 70 any -four made In the
United States. and u Milling com
pauy should receive aunttsd support
-