The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1914-07-30
CURSE OF LIQUOR
AND OF GAMBLING
Are Attributed by This Inmate, to be Prin-
cipaI Cause of Mans Downfall An
Argument Favoring Prohibition and
Purer Officials.
EAVORS STRICT LAWS
By j. M.-45I9

| was very recently told that the
first indication that mans mind
was breaking down in an institution
Of this kind, was when he started
writing; but whether I am on. the
verge of brain storm or not / can
not refrain from giving vent my
thoughts in reference to a remark
made by doctor in Indiana. His
saying was to the effect that IS per
cent of inmates of penal institutions
were defective, and | inferred from
his remarks that he thought by cur
ing these alleged defects in our gen.
eral make up, it would eliminate
most of the felOnles and offences
against society, and reduce the pop
ulation of prisons.
Now | want to say at the outset
that | am not one of your modern
reformers, but can not lose sight of
the fact that our country has for its
foundation, principles and regula-
tions that must be safeguarded for
the welfare of the vast majority in
preference to the pleasure of the
minority.
The doctor who made the above
statement. to which l take excep-
ton reminds me of the man who
started to raize a building to the
ground. and instead of beginning
work OH the top. he started in the
center of the structure; with the re-
suit that the top of the building col
lapsed and came Gathering about
his ears causing great havoc; so
my friend the doctor, has taken the
job of curing the effect rather than
eliminating the cause.
What is it that creates the effect!
There are two causes, with one eff
feet, and they are the curse of liquor
aud gambling.
| A Serious Question
am aware that this is a heavier
question than | am able to discuss,
but my meager remarks may strike
someone. | am not a statistician.
but am under the impression that
a large majority of inmates lay their
downfall to one or the other or per-
haps both. | will give my views on
both; and let me impress you that l
am speaking from actual experience.
will first dwell upon the liquor
question and it's effect. The big
argument the vets have is the great
revenue it pays to both state and
federal government, and for that
reason they say, liquor should be
manufactured and sold promiscously.
How can you imagine a government
of the standard of the United States
requiring determent to exist so
that it can meet its expenses? That
is positively rash statement. This
well org ganiZed form of government
does not need any one interest
to pay its taxes, but needs the COM
bined efforts of high class business
men to maintain our stronghold and
wonderful standing among other ma
tIons. In other words you might as
well license murder and all felonies
as to license liquor which is beyond
doubt the starting of all wrong.
Not One Good Point
Can you tell me one good point in
favor of open saloons? Yes! 1t
helps the brewer. the distilIer and
the saloon keeper to dress his family
in fine and stylish clothes; builds
them mansions, gives them trips
abroad and gives them the right to
crush us to death with their ninety
horsepower automobiles. 1t puts a
big diamond headlight upon the sa-
loon-keeper's shirt front, and anoth-
er on his finger. Who pays for all
this? Who does all the suffering?
The poor family; the wife and child
rem at home; in many cases starving
and literally dying for lack of food
and clothing; while the father Is
spending his time and money that
rightfully belongs to his family
over some bar.
Now friends, l am from the big
city on Lake Michigan, and l have
been around some, and when / think
of the beautiful young girls and
young men | have seen drifting to
the shores of ruin in the big ships
called swell drink emporiums," it
makes my heart bleed and l bow
my head in shame that l frequented
those places. Think of the young
girls and hoys who have been ruin
ed and their lives made a wreck
through drink. / say, and / think
you will coincide with me, that if