The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1910-10-14
LEMONS LECTURE

John b. Lennon. who for q years
has been treasurer Of the American
Federation Of Labor. occupied the
stage at the Temple Theater last ev-
ening and to good sized audience
spoke eloquently and convincingly on
statewide prohibition and the posi-
ton the saloon occupied in our home.
Industrial. social and political life.
Mr.. W. c. Blanchard. contractor and
a member of the carpenters union OF
Ocala, presided. and introduced the
speaker. Others occupying seats on
the stage were Attorneys L. w. Duval,
L N. Green and DR.. w. H. Dodge.
The Star reporter arrived at late
hour. when the speaker said that II
|ex-President Roosevelt really desired
to reform the social and political con-
ditions Of this country. he should at
tack the saloons and drive them out
Of business, when he would be work
ing to some purpose.
He spoke Of the baleful influence
the saloon exercised on politics. II
| you people really want good. clean
city government. put them out OF bus
mess. He said the liquor interests
were greatly concerned about what
would become Of the men who were
cnSdSSu Ia IT'S NoIAOuS u oAShSo AAA
case the saloon were abolished. He
admitted ii was a serious problem. but
the worlds history demonstrated that
/ in the coming Of new inventions that
displaced thousands and tens of thou
sands Of workmen. that these in turn
supplied new avenues of industry. So
with the abolishing of the saloons. 1t
would work a temporary hardship but
1.-The capital men now in that business
would find new avenues for their mon
ley and energy.
He asked the question, who takes
care of the drunkards made by the sa-
saloon Do they provide for them. OF
do the charities of state and nation
provide for them. He took shy at
Regulating the saloons. He said had
been tried for years and the fearful
condition the saloons had wrought In
1.-The world were growing more alarm
ing instead Of lettering the general
condition Of society.
/ He made a masterful plea for the
abolition Of the saloon because OF Its
effect on the home and the ruin the
Rilded saloon wrought in the land. The
low dives are so disgusting that none
but the most depraved and whose ap'
petites for strong drink had made
them crazy, sought them. But 1t wa:
the gilded saloons that enticed and
seduced the young and respectable o.
a community and thus cultivated tina
lappetite that forged around them thu
bands Of steel that sent 80 out OF {
hundred respectable drinkers In time
to a drunkard's grave.
He said he had the honor on severa
Occasions to speak from the same
platform with the great American
lcommoner, William Jennings Bryan
and how did he characterize the influ
ence and following of the saloons. II
la word. in the saloon you find thu
terminal, the scarlet woman, the VIC
Ilators Of law. the gambler and thos'
fleeing from Justice.
| The question was whether the sa
loon was right or wrong. and Their
was no question as to which side l
Iswung It's pernicious influence. an
thence every influence for bettermen
of society and government should b.
lagainst 1t.
He said there were enough peopl
present in the audience to carry Mar
ion county dry, If they would onl!
unite on this vital question. The trou
BILE was, people thought. believed. bu
lacked conviction to drive them to &C
ton. This is what is needed. a unite'
J and determined cooperation.