The Lubbock avalanche. (Lubbock, Tex.) 1909-1922, 1911-07-20
The PLAIN TRUTH
I am Opposed to the Saloon, but !
am Also Opposed to the
Amendment

Inc caption 10 TINS snort artlcl
has become quite favorit
phrase with most Of the anti
prohibition speakers. The salooI
not possessing q single virtue
bars most respectable men from
defending it. One of the bes
ways to ascertain what a mar
stands for. is to find out what HI
stands against. When we affirm
a proposition, he who opposes US
must take the negative position
else there would be no room fol
discussion or difference.
In this proposition of the
amendment let US ascertain whal
it seeks to do, and then we will
| be able to locate absolutely, what
one defends, who opposes it. Let
us inquire into what the amend
ment seeks to accomplish, and
there is no better way than to
take the amendment just as il
reads, which is in substance as
follows:
That after the End Tuesday
in January. 1912. the manufacture
for the purpose of sale, barter or
exchange and the sale barter and
exchange of all intoxicants shall
be prohibited within the State of
Texas. "
Let us analyze the effects of
these statements. First: who is
is engaged in the manufacture of
intoXicants for the purpose of
sale, barter and exchange? The
seven large and four small brew
cries in Texas, of course, and no
one else.
Second: Who is engaged in
the sale. barter and exchange of
intoxicants in Texas? The seven
large and four small breweries;
the over four thousand saloons
and numbers of bootleggers and
no one else, of course.
This being absolutely true, il
follows as certain as daylight
follows the sun. that the thing
the amendment seeks 10 accom-
plish is the abolition of the brew
cries, saloons and bootleggers
of Texas. IL also follows beyond
any reasonable question. that
they who oppose the amendment,
are in favor of sustaining the
breweries. saloons and bootleg
gers of Texas.
Is .thJre a single bootlegger.
or fellow who would run a blind
tiger Joint in all the State Of
Texas, that will vote Statewide
prohibition? There isn't a single
Dne Of course. and no one who
cares for truthfulness in the
smallest degree would say that
any Of them would do so.
Now IL there are more boot
egging and blind-tiger joints in
the prohibition states than can be
found IN the states where there
are saloons. why doesn't the .
)ootlegger and blind-tiger vote
Tor his own selfish interest and
vote the prohibition ticket? There
$ no sort Of a question but if
here are more bootiegging and
)lind-tiger joints in the prohibit
ion states. than in the anti states
he bootlegger and blind-tiger
'ellow will know il better than
my one else. hence. they would
'ote the prohibition ticket every
opportunity. Let this soak in.
My friends il doesn't matter
What your ideas Of personal lib
rty. local self government or
prohibition is. il YOU
ote against the amendment YOU
ote yourself a friend TO the
saloons and bootleg
ers of Texas and thereby say to
hem. that il is your desire. that !
hey continue in business. not
you say they do not !
ossess single virtue. but are I
teeped IN every vice imagin-
bic.
A great many Of my warmest
riends are anti-prohibitionists. ,
ut am compelled 10 charge :
rat when they vote against the :
mendment they commit them !
lives unreservedly 10 the per +,
etuation Of the saloons IN ,
eXas.
Before YOU cast your ballot +,
ext Saturday. seriously mediate !
this proposition. ponder Il vel !,
nd see that your own heart does I
> duty. Let erery voter In this J
ate who ~ tired Of the saloon !,
ld desires 10 help the boys and \
rls. men and women Of this !
rcat commonwealth evade the :
Onster. the uncomuromlsinQ L.