The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1913-12-19
REDUCING THE NUMBER OF SALOONS.

A reduction in the number of saloons in Vir-
ginia may be an issue in the coming campaign
and if it is undertaken on reasonable basis it
will be a popular one with the people of this city.
Virginia has at least 80 too many saloons. No
one better realizes this fact than the men here
engaged in the retail liquor traffic. The greater
number of the saloons here are under brewery
control and this fact is so we'll known and it's
abuses are so evident that there is growing
public sentiment against the business that will
surely result in drastic action if the matter is
ever placed before the people on the ballot.
Just how reduction in the number of saloon
licenses issued may be effected and a square deal
given to those now engaged in the business here
is problem not easy of solution, but it can be
accomplished.
The time has not yet come on the Mesaba
range when there is any better way to handle the
liquor problem than through the licensed saloon,
for there some conditions here that are unlike
those in any other section of the country. But
the liquor interests themselves are forcing the
issue. If it does not come this year, it is certain
to anyone at all familiar with local conditions,
that it is not far off.
In the experience of other towns and cities the
past decade the country over there is ample pre-
cedent to show that the saloon is at best neces-
sary evil The lines are Tightening everywhere
and the lightning strikes where least expected.
The city of Cloquet recently voted out it's saloons
after bitter campaign by large majority The
liquor interests are still bordering the causes that
brought it about. The trouble with them is they
have no idea that sentiment against them and
their business is constantly growing. Cloquet
may vote license in again next year, but the glad
free days of the sawdust joint and the tiled and
bemirrored buffet in that town is past. The H.
cense question there will be an issue for some
years to come. 1t will be discussed pro and con
and agitated and voted upon and the result will
be that Cloquet will some day vote out saloons
for good and all. There is certain process Of
evolution that towns pass through in this matter,
but the end is always the same. The saloons go.
Over all the Mesaba range the retail dealer is
the goat. The manufacturers who supply his
goods furnish him with ample competition. Also
they fix the prices he shall pay for the stuff he
sells. They dictate the rent figures of every bust
ness house on the range and while their revenue
is large their money for the most part goes away
from the city.
There are signs that some day the brewers and
the distillers are going to split and that dis
tinction will be made between the selling of
whiskey and beer. That would be one of the
shrewdest moves the brewers ever made and
there are positive signs that they are beginning
to see it.
In the meantime Virginia has too many ga
looms. 1t will not have so many if the issue is
ever squarely put up to the people and if the
facts could be known it would probably be dis
covered that the votes of good many of the
retail dealers would be registered for reduction
in the number of licenses. 49, :
Governor Eberhart's economy and efficiency
campaign is trifle tardy while nevertheless
meritorious "As vinegar to the teeth and as
smoke to the eyes, so is the supRar to them that