The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1915-10-08


within its borders. II prescribed com.
pensation 10 all manufacturers and
dealers for plants. stock on hand and
good will
1T further decreed compensation to
all the employees of dealers and manu-
facturers. and this scheme Of compen-
sat'on extended down even TO the
women and children who cultivated
the fields In producing the herbs used
In the manufacture OF absinthe.
A similar policy is observed by the
government In England when II extin-
guishes the licenses OF public houses,
the British synonym for what We
Americans call saloons
No man is robbed OF his posses
sions for an alleged public good II
he is required 10 retire from business
for the alleged good OF the public, the
public is expected 10 compensate him
for the sacrifice which be is asked to
make.
Not finger has ever been raised
by any man engaged In the production
OF distilled liquors in this country to
create a demand for his products.
Like all other merchants. be has
advertised bis wares as possessing
special merits, against the products
Of his competitors, but he has in no
way created demand for these goods.
If the American people no longer
desire to purchase and use distilled
liquors. and II the government has
found other sources Of revenue than
that derived from our products and is
disposed TO decree that we must cease
TO manufacture and sell those prod
ucts TO fellow citizens who ask for
them. then We ask to be honestly COM
pensated for the investments which
We have made under the encour aging
and fostering care OF the federal gov
eminent in a practical copartnership
which has existed for over sixty.
years, repeat with every restriction
and disadvantage 20 ourselves. but
with tremendous gain to the revenue
OF the government.
NO industry has been burdened by
federal taxation and regulations as
ours has been and none more relent-
lessly assailed by fanaticism, yet in
spite OF these restrictive forces the
public demand for our goods has stead
lily increased.
We have not created this demand.
We could not II We would. Therefore.
the present controversy is not between
ourselves, relatively few in number as
we are, and the alleged moral forces Of
our country. The controversy IS be-
tween the millions OF American citi-
zeus who claim the right to obtain and
use liquors. properly and soberly. and
that particular church organization.
which, In its efforts TO seize political
power, has seen fit TO make the liquor
Issue a stepping-stone to its subyer-
sive and censurable designs"
The attitude OF the liquor trades
men on the subject OF the Hobson pro-
hibltion resolution Is Of particular In
terest Just now because the judiciary
committee OF the house has put that
amendment or recommendation.
In his report. Mr.. Debar points out
that as a matter OF fact the Robson
resolution is not a referendum propo-
sal as Is claimed for IL Mr.. Debar
says IL congress should adopt the Hob
son resolution "the question Will not
be put up to the people OF the states.
but only up to state legislatures. The
proponents OF prohibition use this
same unfair language whenever they
discuss the ratification by the states
OF prohibition amendment. They
talk about letting the people rule and
use the word referendum. when as O.
rnstter OF fact. the people will not vote
on and decide the question. Were this
ratification by the states left to a ma
tion.wide referendum by the people.
there would be no question OF the re-
suit. The amendment would be repu-
dated over helmingly."
During the week the delegates 20
the convention will go further into the
subject OF prohibition. II Is expected
that they will Issue a statement to the
people on this big subject.
The officers OF the association are
Henry J. Kaltenbach. New York. pres
Ident; Joseph Debar. Cincinnati, SEQ
Rotary; Geo. +. Dieterle. Cincinnati,
chairman executive committee