The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-05-20

OF those submitted by university Wo-
men in the recent essay contest. and
1t is On the subject, what Prohibi-
tiQn Has Done For North Dakota.
Happy indeed is the boy who can
claim as his native country the great
est nation in the world today. our
W United States! But doubly happy
is his lot If he can claim as his ma
tive country, that smiling land Of
and SUNNI skies, where peace reigns
and prosperity abounds. North Da-
kota. the state that has never known
the legalized saloon!
North Dakota is comparatively a
young state. 1t is not yet a quarter
ofaa century old, and yet 1t ranks to-
day as n of the greatest states in
remarkable progress are two: the
great agricultural facilities of the
state, and it's constitutional prohibi-
ton of alcoholic liquors.
The early settlers in any commun-
ity or state have more influence in
determining the ultimate character Of
that community or state. than have
North Dakota was fortunate in hav-
ing among it's pioneers a number
from the state Of Maine. who brought
with them prohibition notions learn
ed from Names "Grand Old Man,"
Neal Dow himself. Others came from
the then prohibition states of YER
mont and Iowa and a few from Kan
sas. Their combined influence crea-
ted a sentiment for the overthrow of
the liquor traffic and the Punishment
Of the saloon. For a time they fought
against great odds. The saloon in
fiuence dominated politics. the drink
habit was common. taxes increased
continually. and crimes were multi
plying. Farmers were continually
troubled by the drunkenness of hired
laborers, and that lawlessness so Of
ten characteristic Of those who "go
west" prevailed in many places.
What Created Desire.
These conditions created a desire
on the part Of the people for a
change from the license system. Al
ter much agitation on the part Of the
Of Dakota, in 1887. passed its first
county local option Law.
When North Dakota entered the
Union in 1889, a prohibitory clause,
known as Article 20, was placed in
the constitution which was submitted
to the vote of the people. This clause
was voted upon separately and ad-
opted. The first legislative assembly
passed a strong aw for h enforce
ment Of this constitutional provision
This aw Went into effect on July LIST
1890. nearly twenty-five years ago.
Since that time what has the pro-
hibitory law done for North Dakota?
Let us view the question first from
an economic standpoint. AS we have
already seen. before the adoption OF
this law in North Dakota saloons
were in evidence in nearly all the
; settled communities of the territory
Nothing that makes the individual in
the, community poorer adds to the
wealth and power Of the community
Therefore. no one can say that the
home and property of the d%runkard,
and the drunkard himself added to
the value Of the community or the
wealth of the territory.
Further, it is a we'll known fact
that in any state or territory the liqu-
or. traffic costs vastly more than il
ever pays in revenue For every dol
lar Of revenue, a tax of five dollars
must be imposed for the crime. pau.
perism and insanity produced.
Yet when North Dakota adopted
constitutional prohibition the predic.
ton was freely made by leading
newspapers that the towns in the
state would decline for lack of rev.
enue from the saloons. and that Min
nesota towns just across the Red
river would profit by North Dakota's
loss.
Has this prophecy been fulfilled?
Let us look for a moment at Grand
Forks in contrast with East Crane
Forks with its licensed saloons. The
progressive North Dakota city with
it's miles of pavement. its splendid,
lighter clean. broad streets. it's at.
tractive business houses. its beautiful
residence section. and it's delightful
parks. stands out in shining contrast
to the Minnesota town ION the Eas-
side" There one is Immediately
struck by the general appearance Of
poverty. The streets are poorly
lighted and ill-kept. No p%retentiou.
buildings distinguish the place: but
low-built saloons and unattra ctivt
breweries are everywhere to be seen
After ten ear of nc saloons. Far.
go had mile Of paved streets fol
each 676 population. one mile watsl
mains for each go population, one