The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1916-09-01
WILL YOU
THIS?

A few years ago 1t was SAID tnat
the country would go to ruin if il
went dry. That Bingham county
would go into bankruptcy if the pro-
hibitionists prevailed; that the towns
would be unable to pave the streets
If the saloons were closed; that the
school district would feel the pinch
Of being left without the saloon IL
cense money, and that the buildings
where saloons were put out would
eb left vacant for want of tenants.
The saloons we're banished in the
county, and after a few years the
state went dry. While some of the
counties were dry the conditions were
very much improved, and when the
state went dry there was another
change for the better. Schools have
made the greatest material progress
in the history of the state; cement
walks and fine pavements have been
in course of construction and use;
county Indebtedness has decreased
per capita and good roads are the
rule. The courts have less to do and
the jails have been empty for the
first time. Before the state went
dry the graft for boarding the county
prisoners was the greatest scandal
in the county; now there is scarcely
anybody to board. There are fewer
men in the penitentiary than there
have been for many years, and the
police force in the capital city has
been reduced. Most of the people
who had the drinking habit and glad
the temptation is removed, and many
who were about ruined by drink are
regaining their lost powers. Practi-
cally everybody who works can make
a good living, and the sad cases of
misery and restitution that were
once SO common are very rare. Prac-
tically every argument advanced
against prohibition has been put to
the test and it has failed utterly.
At this time the people by COM
mon consent are considering whether
or not they will recall the officials
who have enforced the prohibitin
laws in this county, but not many of
them are considering the foregoing
Il EATERS. They are considering
whether they liked or disliked a man
who served as deputy. They are con
Sidering whether or not he vas in
fallible in carrying out his duties in
the moment of excitement and
danger. They are considering wheth-
er or not they like to have a little
social time and set mild drinks be-
fore their guests. They are match
ing these trivial matters over against
the great underlying facts and con-
ditions that are important.
Last week we heard a man say,
has been hot today and it would
be nice to have a cool drink of beer.
| don't think it would hurt you. nor
me to have a glass or two after a
work like this. Now honestly,
do you think it would?" We agreed
with him absolutely. But he did
not ask whether it would bring
and pain to whole families
to have an unlimited quantity of
liquor of all kinds in the open
market. The world has tried that
plan and condemned it. 1t has tried
a little on sale by sly methods
and that has been condemned and
nearly stopped in this county. The
question that appeals to the voters
1ext Tuesday is whether or not the
anti-liquor laws shall be enforced;
whether the officers who have enforc-
I'd them for a year and a half shall
De recalled. and thereby informed
hat the people were not sincere when
hey said they wanted strict enforce
-Jant