The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1914-03-12

oOAvSO III On Tho TO-
cal option election. All letters must
bear the name and address Of the
writer's. Contributions will appear in
the order received.l
AN APPEAL TO REAsoN.
Editor Richmond Palladium:
Let us omit personalities. which fog
the issue. in this campaign. and en-
deavor to use reason in our argu-
ments for and against the saloon.
Every fair-minded person should be
willing to hear both sides Of the ques-
ton logically presented In order to
arrive at q just and a wise decision.
The writer wishes to try to show some
reasons why the saloon should be
eliminated from our fair city.
ECONOMIC.
L. it profitable to the community
from a financial standpoint? Is there
any real accretion to the city treasury
from the revenues Of the saloon Ill
cense and taxes)? This seems to be
the point most agitated, and one
brought forth by citizens who depre-
cate it from every other view point.
Professor Ebert Russell. of Earl
ham college, has prepared statistics.
to be published in detail, which he
personally collated from the court
house records, showing that the rev.
enues which accrue from this bust
ness are more than absorbed by the
expense necessary in caring for the
after consequences directly traceable
thereto: crime, poverty. insanity, d.
vorce, etc. Let every one honestly
desiring facts and figures as they ap-
ply to our community, carefully read
his article.
There is always a great hue and
cry raised in an engagement of this
nature relative to the increase in
taxes consequent upon the Danish
ment of the saloon, and, strange to
relate, many of the most Jealous ad-
vocates Of this argument are those
whose taxes are comparatively moth
ing. The writer is Of the firm opin-
ion that the reverse will prove true.
after brief period of readjustment
to radically changed conditions. Re-
cords of other towns in Indiana vot-
ing dry" demonstrate that within
thirty or sixty days every room for
merly devoted to the sale of LIQUOR
was leased for a legitimate business,
one whose taxes were not devoured by
expenses in caring for the evil effect
resulting from it's continuance.
However, if we admit, for the sake
of argument solely, that such were not
the case, that the taxes would DE
somewhat higher, would we not get
more value received from such excess
amount than from any money we ever
spent? Think of the evils abolished,
the temptations removed! OF what
value are a few paltry dollars when
compared with the welfare and hap
piness OF ourselves and our neigh
bors?
MATERIAL. ..
This caption refers to the effects
of intoxicants upon the physical, men,
tai, moral and spiritual sides Of man,
all Of which are most intimately in
ment in favor of the saloon on this
point? Can any man deliberately as
sert that he has been made better
physically. keener mentally, or In
spired to more lofty thoughts and i'm
pulses by indulgence in the flowing
bowl? II there be such a one, let
him present his experience in these
columns. Malt and spirituous liquors
ar not foods in any sense, no portion
Of them can be assimilated by the d.
gestive system and converted into
pure blood and healthy tissues; there
fore, they should not be tmbibed, for
the body is delicate piece of mec-
chanism which registers each and
every violation, no matter how slight,
and our efficiency depends upon it's
narmal functioning. Liquors are
poisons which the body begins to
eliminate Immediately upon their en-
trance, thus taking it's vitality for a
useless and unnecessary labor.
PROGRESS.
Many believe sincerely that we will
not be lettering conditions by the
elimination of the saloon, for they
state that there will be as much or
more sold and drunk right here in the
town, and in the next breath they
assert that men will go to other
cities to purchase their liquor and
while there will purchase other COM
m ODDITIES, thus injuring our mer
chants. Well, with the saloon renov-
ed. we will have taken a step in the
right direction, and it will then be in
cUmbent upon us to pursue our ad
vantage. So far as blind tigers" are
concerned did not the mayor state
that he would enforce the law, and
are not all our city officers under
like obligation? Should they be re-
miss in their duties, cannot the same
majority which voted to expel the
saloon, elect men who can and will
respond to the inspiration of decent
citizenship? Also, what percentage
OF drinking men need it so badly that
they will travel miles to obtain it?
I pause for a reply
Finally. my brethren, let us be
very thoughtful in the coming cleo
ton, realizing the responsibility
which rests upon us as voters, and