The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1910-12-12

open saloon regulated under the pres
ent strict smulct law than to have
holes in the WALL operated secretly
and SO that the minor, as we'll as the
full grown man, can buy what he
wants, as the "bootlegger" has no con-
sideration whatever for age Or sex,
just so he gets the money. That was
the way it was in so-called prOhibi-
ton days in this city when, at one
time, there were thirty-eight sec-et
dives being operated and before the
end came they blossomed forth into
open saloons to the number OF twcn-
ty-six, that paid monthly line Of
$25 per month. During those days
the writer saw the good book, rhe
Bible, initiated in looks and appear
aHces, but when opened revealed in
side the covers, instead Of the gospel,
a bottle of whiskey. Many other dis
reputable and dishonest ways were
employed to violate the law Ill those
days, and among the right minded
men are to be found several who do
not want to see return tc those
conditions.
As to the spread of prohibition III
the south, it is well known fact
that the negro is the reason for that,
and it has been shown recently by a
report of the national government
that illicit manufacture of moon
shine" whiskey is on tie Increase,
while government licenses have null
tiplied throughout the prohibition
states of the south.
"Life, liberty and pursuit of hap2.-
ness" was what our forefathe's
fought and died for and left to w.
and we have no patience with those
who forget this, and by intimidation
or otherwise attempt to prevent the
exercise of that right under the con.
stitution of the United States.
To intimate that signers of the peti-
ton of consent were acuated by lack
of backbone is amusing when, as q
matter of fact. there are many who
have not signed that would vote yes
il given the privilege of secret bal
lot, In fact we honestly believe that
il this question was to be voted on
through the ballot box, that there
would be a 2 to | vote in the affirma-
tive, and are firm in that conviction.
We are as equally firm In the belief
that an attempt to force this issue
through in opposition to such a ma
iority will only result In a state OF
affairs such as existed in so-cal!cd
prohibition days as outlined above.
We concede that liquor is the
source of much misery, crime, do
stroyed homes and wrecked lives, but
we hold that, like Grover Cleveland
said, 1T is condition, not theory
that confronts us" and that the soll-
ton of that condition cannot, in our
opinion, be reached by the mere clos
ing of saloons.
Are you for or against the sa-
loons?' is the way the question cas-
been put to us land We hope we ha 7e
made it plain that we are for what
we consider the best way to regulate
the liquor situation, until a bettas
way is found and the national govern
ment takes a hand in regulating Its
sale instead of selling licenses fo'
s25 head, no matter whether the a.,
plicants reside in a dry or wet
community.
| These are our honest convictions
! briefly stated, and knowing the writ
er of the communication appearing
on this same page, We know that h.
has spoken sincerely and honestly a.
SO. Our readers are accorded the priv
ilege of judging between the two, ans
to govern themselves in the mattel
as they think best.