Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1915-03-31
WHAT WILL THE HARVEST BE
Election Close at Hand-License is
the Principal Issue

1 Next Tuesday falls the annual munic-
| ipal election. There has apparently
| been no excitement or undue eagerness
| looking to positions. In fact there are
but two places to fill on the general
ticket, those of justices of the peace.
Judge Pollard has filed as a candidate
to succeed himself, and up to date no
person appears to be DESTROYS of the
other justlceship.
On the ward tickets there is some
thing of rivalry, although quiet and
dignified In the first ward Tillman c.
Knudson appears to have clear field
for alderman. The veteran supervisor,
Isaac S. Hamilton, is asked to contil-
ue as their representative on the coun-
ty board by many of his neighbors. j.
K. Shreve, new resident of the ward,
but m any times supervisor from
Greenwood, is also candidate.
Z w. Hazen Will be unopposed for
supervisor from the Second ward.
Here Walter S. Proctor and Martin
Larson are candidates for aldermanic
honors.
The Third ward seldom permits an
election to pass minus a good lively
scrap. On both supervisor and alder
is fortunate that the candidates are all
representative citizens. For alderman
Silas Foster and Mack Stout are oppon-
ents For Supervisor A. F.. May aud
William E. Garrett.
As usual, the question whether Ii
censed saloons shall be established, is
an issue. petition having been pre-
scented asking that the matter be sub
=,
residence of almost thirty years in vi
roqua held by the CENSOR editor, we
believe licensed saloons have had pub
lie sanction but three or four times,
and only one year at time, the people
ending their existence at the first OPP
portunity. One year has been amply
sufficient to demonstrate their undesir-
ableness. The least we can say of
them and their influence is that they
are tempter to young men and boys
to start wrong in life; provide a place
to idle away their time, blighting ply
steal strength and financial substance
of persons who mag have acquired the
appetite for stimulants. They bring
misery to homes, wives, mothers and
children; weaken il not destroy the
manhood and character of the brightest
minds in community. What justifica-
tion, then, can be offered for the per-
mission of a system so undesjrablef
We hear the reply that saloons make
better, livelier town, more business
and lower taxes" As business man,
tax payer and citizen, does any one
believe the writer would be unfavOrable
to policy that might stimulate or ac-
complish such desirable ends for this
town and it's people? But the light of
experience teaches US to the contrary
saloons do not create normal business.
So long as liquor is made and the gov
eminent gives sanction to its manufae-
ture and accepts revenue therefrom.
| Just that long it will be drank as bev-
eraRe. And it is also true that in COM
munities where no license prevails il
VIII BE used improperly, but the use is
~ minimized that there is no compari-
son between the open and closed poll
cies. Physicians and druggists of Vir-
oqua have given more judicious observ-
ance TO the law, and an analysis of the
past two years reveals that prescrip-
ton issuing has been lessened more
than 800 per cent, and the shipment of
liquor here reduced fully 30 per cent
during the past year. We cannot ex-
pect absolute sobriety and complete
compliance with the law in this local
community so long as intoxicants are
openly and legally purchaseable in Cash
ton, Chaseburg, Lacrosse and other
points accessible by rail. But we can
do our duty as citizens and minimize
the use and i'll effects by preventing its
open sale in our town.
It must be admitted that Viroqua has
made substantial progress under the
prevailing policy of no. license. There
has been work for all grades of work.
men at a remunerative wage; building
operations have added materially to our
general engagements and betterments;
population has increased and the CEN-
soR is firm in the belief that we have
a more stable business, happier people,
better homes, less poverty and degree
datioE than it would be possible to so
fully enjoy under policy that in it's
very nature is detrimental and waste
full to body, raind and financially.
i For the reasons above get forth, and
Others that might with entire propriety
be cited, the CENSOR will, on next
Tuesday vote no, as it always has on
the question of open saloons.
The matter submitted to the people
of the county regarding establishment
of a tuberculosis sanatorium has been
quite fully discussed in these columns.
From the standpoint of humanity and
conservation of human life it is worthy
of the most thoughtful consideration of
our people.
Auction Sales
At his farm at Esofes, commencing
Of IN otcIock in tho fnrann0r1 of Gafnr-