Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-11-26
CLOSING THE DEs MONIES SALOONS

CLuSih6 me DES MONIES SALOONS
Nothing better illustrates the growth
IN temperance sentiment than the
manner in which the closing of the
Les MONIES saloons has been received
not only over the state but in that
city. The saloons are locked up. Tha-e
are no riots, there is no wild excite
ment over the state. Temperance man
ana saioonist are preparing to carry
on the struggle on legitimate ground.
AS concerns the state there is a gen
eral feeling that the city and the state
are better OFF with the saloon doors
locked and with this is a general con-
ciusion that before long they are to be
shut for good. not only in the capital
but In all the Iowa Cities
The thing is coming to the show
down. The tolls tighten abou, the
saloon. The petition must be based on
city election. That relieves the
temperance forces of great deal of
work and worry. They can concentrate
On the city election and bring out
every anti saloon vote. Then when
the canvass for consent petition is on
they are fighting behind breastworks.
The advantage lies where II was in
tended to lie with the people and
| against the saloon. The liquor inter-
ests must establish their right to vio-
late the constitutional law of Iowa
by conquering majority consent. II
they can do so they have the right to
operate. But it was never intended
that the saloon must be ousted as one
VINO has a just claim and a vested
right. So this decision of the court
confning the right to petition for sa-
looms to those who have voted in city
elections is merely Just.
The Des Moines saloons are closed.
Note the difference between the clos
Ing now and the closing in the old
prohibitory days. Then wrathful voices
rose in angry protest all over the
state. Today there is not loud word
Of protest. When the riots at Iowa
City, the murder at Sioux City and the
anarchistic fashion in which the sa-
looms received the amendment and its
enforcement are recalled and com pared
with the present the saloon may easily
read Its doom between the two
| This decision will probably close the
saloons in Cedar Rapids and in every
Iowa town where the consent petition
Twas based on any but city election.
perhaps these petitions Were sufficient
lacking this one requisite now made
imperative by the supreme court. But
what Of that? We have been years
thrashiug out this liquor question in
Iowa and time after time the anti sa-
loonists have found their labor aaught
by reason Of court decisions. AS mat
ters stand now the saloons are simply
taking the medicine that their oppo-
nents have swallowed over and over
again.
The real battle has not come. It
Will be on when the next saloon Pc
tition Is circulated. That is where the
lists are set. The advantage given by
the decision, as it stands, is to be
maintained or lost. There is the
Bloody Angle" Of the fight
The Des Moines Register and Leader
fails to see IAN equal movement
against the use Of liquor in this
movement against the saloons. That
is rather begging the question or the
iresult Of disordered vision. The first
movement agalnt the use Of liquor in
this age and period is the abolition
of the saloon and its mighty and cor
Irupting influences. The Register and
Leader seems to be afflicted with cold
fleet. It wonders whether Des Moines
lean go ahead without saloons sue
icessfully and argues that if 1t can it
will draw more advertising than the
Des Moines plan. Des Motnes is get
ting along nicely without the White
Chapel district. Perhaps Dies Moines
is no more moral than 1t was when
that infamy existed within three
blocks of the center of the city but
Des Moines and the state are the bet
ter for its abolition as they Will be
better by the abolition Of that unholy
parasite on business morals and civic