Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-03-20
CHICAGO EDITOR.
BESTSATT0RNEY
WOOD IN DEBATE
G. A. Windle of Chicago Tells
Why Prohibition Is Wrong
and Unjust.
MOLINE THEATRE CROWDED
Hundreds Turned Away From Doors
Unable to Gain Entrance to
Hear Issue Discussed.

c. A. Windle of Chicago. editor OF
the Iconoclast and a speaker of ma
tional repute, had the better of 40
minute argument last evening on the
stage of the Moline theatre, his op-
ponent being Attorney George w.
Wood of Moline and prohibition the
subject under discussion. Mr.. Win
die was billed to speak for the Munich
pal league, while Mr.. Wood, who is
manager of the campaign of the Local
Option league, accepted his challenge
to discuss the subject.
The theatre was, packed to the doors
and although its seating capacity is
1,5OO, at least $500 people crowded
the isles, the back part of the theatre,
the steps and the stage, and the ap-
plause which greeted both speakers
as they made their appearance upon
the platform was deafening.
Mr.. Windle delivered the strongest
address made in behalf of the wet
forces since the local option fight in
Moline and Rock Island began. His
remarks were received by the crowd
with continuous applause.
The subject of Mr.. Windle's address
was why Prohibition Is Wrong" and
he explained his ideas upon the sub
ject infinitely, and in the manner of
man who knew just exactly what he
was talking about.
II do not believe in intemperance,"
said Mr.. Windle. 81 am a strong ad-
vocate of temperance, but l know
that prohibition is wrong. immoral
and those who enforce it rob men of
their personal rights and liberties
Temperance is self-imposed and self
enforced; prohibition is imposed by
others against your will, and enforced
with a policeman's club
Mr. Windle based his statements
upon actual facts and read passages
from the bible to prove that Christ
himself was not a believer in pro-
hibition. He read from the scriptures
of the miracle performed by Jesus,
when he transformed water into wine
IF Jesus believed in prohibition"
said Mr.. Windle, "why did he not
serve his subjects with water instead
of wine
One of the strongest arguments
made by Mr.. Windle was the follow
ing: Prohibition is wrong in prin-
ciple because it cannot be reconciled
with reason. 1t is unreasonable,
ladies' and gentlemen, to prohibit any
thing. the use of which is proper, but
the abuse of which may result in evil
People abuse the use of money, but !
it would be wrong in principle to
abolish its use. People abuse the right |
rna hnrf = h.
in principle to abolish that right. Peo-
pie abuse the right to crafty natural
passions. Yet it would be wrong and
fatal to the human race to prohibit
their use. / want to say to you that
The man does Tot live who can appeal
20 reason in the name of prohibition"
Mr.. Windle said boat riding is not
abolished, merely because one man
goes out, capsi1es and is drowned. No
more, claims Mr.. Windle, should pro-
libition rule because one man abuses
lis right of usage.
Cannot Vote Man Dry.
Prohibition is based upon a false
PREMISE" said Mr.. Windle. You can
'ote town dry-take this home with
you cannot vote a man dry
lor affect his appetite in the least. The
saloon or the bar, then, is the result
If the drink habit, not the cause. and
he prohibition proposition deals with
he effect instead of the cause. When
'ou send for a doctor and he begins
o deal with the effect instead of the
;ause, you'd better fix it with the
ord right away. Still 1 heard of a
octor who once saved a mans life
nat way. The poor fellow sent for
Iim ana the doctor would not come"
MI. Wfndle grew stronger as his
ddress was delivered and he wound
p with a veritable volley of areu
nent which swept all before il.
When he finished the crowd gave him
n ovation.
Wood Pays Tribute.
Attorney Wood devoted the first
We minutes of his time to a discus
ION OF Mr. Windle. paying tribute to ,,
Is ability as an orator, but making
ght OF his logic. Then he finished
'ith straight prohibition talk. max
lg hardly any answer to Editor Win :
lie arguments. He compared Rock
'land and Moline with dry Rockford
nd covered ground which has often
cen gone over in this campaign
Mr.. Wood spoke of the penitentiar.
IS crowded with prisoners who at
lputed their downfall To drink. He
pa OF the result of booze and of :
lie effect il had upon the human char.
cter. He occupied his 40 minutes in :
straight talk against the liouor
'afhc and he received applause
ON the dry sympathizers present
q overstepped his time limit and !
hartman Morgan had IL Inform him
the fact
Windie Makes Reply.