Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-02-07
.prosperityy Under License.
:ditor kennehee Journal:

prosperity Onoer license
Editor Kennebec Journal:
Yesterday you quoted the Bid
deford Records statement that
with the increase of saloons in
Northumberland county, Pa,
crime decreased. That day, in an
adjoining county of Pennsylvania,
where there have always been
saloons. man told me of several
murders and that five rnurderers
were hung there in one day.
suspect that the moral improve
nent in sthe coal regions of
shamokin land ethens, parts Of )
Northumberland may be like the e
increase lot attendance IN a GER
tain school. The principal was
boastinasof its srowth and pas
senoer on the coach ventured to
ask, "Hom many students have
your" Fourteen,"e answered the
principal, land fortune is smiling
on u.s." Il should think she would
smoker right out" exclaimed the
questioner.
Lebanon county is about ten
miles from Northumber coun-
ty. Yesterday | came from the
county seat of the former, where
spent three days. This county
seat is the city of Lebanon with
about 10000 population. II has
five iron mills, with about 1000
employees; three railroads; mis-
celaneous industries, and it is the
center of good farming region.
1t also has 30 saloons, paying an
annual license of $500 each. II
has no library, except in one of
the schools ;s.it has not rod Of
paved street, and it has no sewers.
The latter, however, are beginning
to be constructed. In one of the
bar-rooms / saw about so men,
many Of them drinking heavily,
and some quite drunk. The noble
citizens Of Lebanon and other
Pennsylvania counties are max
ing an heroic struggle to throw
OH the yoke of this saloon bond
age.
~ ssts.sNsy PRlNGLE. g
Washington, D. c., Feb. 3, 1918.
There is a specimen of town
prosperous under saloon "REGU-
LATION"--no paved streets, and no
sewers, in a city of 10000, A
vertitable earthly hell only paved with
the good resolutions of men who
would free themselves from the drink
habit but for the wiles and tempta
tions of the makers and sellers OF
drink
What would the writer's for the rum
trust say of city in Maine. twice the
size of Watervilie and without sewers.
without paved streets, without IL
hrary?
1t might interestsgour readers to
know that some OF these old places
like Lebanon are shining examples of
the saloon degeneration OF thriving
communitiesafg lebanon WAS first set
tied in 1871 and has lad, in the course
of its existerce seyeraI public insti-
tutions. such as homes, hospitals and
libraries. e bs9.h 3r afss
Now it has 80 saloons from which,
the city rs deriving $500 each, if Mr..
Prinele was correctly informed
$4,000 income from THAI source.
II would he interesting to know how
much it costs that city to care for the
families of the drunkards it has made
by engaging in the rum business on
shares
Most of us in Maine will find il hard
to believe that an old city of 10000 in
habitants. in a great and rich state.
has neither sewers, paved streets, nor
public library Yet such spectacles
are common, even in the wonderful
state OF New York. An, Augusta lady
recited with varied emotions, to the
editor Of this paper her experiences
in several Of New York's large towns
and small cities. We We're amazed at
some OF the things she told us. of
places of which we had pictured
wholly different conditions. She told of
lack Of sewerage, mud ankle deep in
unpaved streets. board sidewalk or
none at all. not a respectable or even
decent eating place lin a town as
large as Augusta; not fruit store
where a woman could enter without
encountering men drinking booze
BUT SALOONS ON EVERY HAND!
Saloons do not build sewers or nave
streets.
Where saloons thrive other bust
nesses cannot afford TO build sewers OF
pave streets.
The money that goes into the saloor
helps no good cause.-The grocer, tht
dry goods merchant and the sho,
dealer barely exist; the home i
robbed; wives suffer; children starve
The booze seller is a murderer; tn
booze maker is worse.