Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1917-03-23
Published by Request.

Mr.. Editor:
We the undersigned, have read
carefully the arguments of Assembly
man Everett on the EFjue Statewide
Referendum bill, and beg leave to
reply.
The people know that it is not
strictly a referendum measure for
the reason that it is proposed that
the legislators pass the DILL subject to
the ratification of the people instead
of the people voting on the question
and then have the legislature pass
the law. There is q distinction with
OUT difference as far as the people
are concerned.
Mr. Everett has defended every
phase of the brewery business from
the manufactures to the retailer. He
forgot to mention whiskey and high
wines and as matter Of fact the
liquor Dealers lobbyist has declared
in favor of the measure. Mr.. Everett S
letter reads like the brewers ''advs."
in the Milwaukee papers.
Mr.. Everett says he does not favor
the bill as presented. Why? Because
the bill if it becomes law will be eff
fective, it will put the liquor inter-
es5s out of business entirely, also the
blind pigs, and the licensed towns
across county lines, local option never
did.
He says it would be revolutions
AIRY act to close all the breWeries and
saloons without compensation. We
are living in revolutionary
times which demand such meas
u-es, I'D stry has been revelation
lied, thousands upon thousands were
thrown out Of employment when
modern machinery and labor saving
devices came into being. The light
vehicle manufacturers were not COM
pensated when the automobile put
them o,t of business. The slave traf-
tic of the south did not grow up in
a night, nor did it creep into being
without our knowledge. It grew up
with sanction it was legalized by laws
and licensed by municipalities. 1t
was never for a moment considered
anything but legitimate business,
but evolution or the law of progress
demanded it's overthrow. The proper
ty rights Of slave owners was vio-
lated Without any thought or COM
pensation.
Mr. Everett would have us believe
that the closing of the saloons and
breweries would wipe their property
ont of existence, and that the assess
or would not be able to find it. The
brewers of the city of Denver are now
making soap and canning milk at
larger profits Than ever were obtained
from their former products. If com
pensation is necessary, why not first
compensate the people who have been
ruined by the traffic, their widows
and orphans, and those now depend
ent upon charity because they have
been robbed Of everything they he'd
dear by the drink traffic. But no, they
are not to be considered 1t is the
brewers that must be compensated
because they are influential' in the
legislature.
The small saloon keeper is not often
found living over the saloon as Mr..
Everett would suggest but is usually
found living in the other end of town
because he is ashamed of his business
and his customers, they know it is
licensed but they also know that it is
not legitimate business.
The letter contains an admission
that the traffic has violated our laws
but excuses the law breaker because
others are doing the same thing in
other lines. Is it not true that these
violations have been the fault at
times of lax officials? People who
conduct blind pigs should never criti-
else the Officials they help elect for
not having themselves arrested for
these violations. Mr. Everett, you
would do well to remember that old
adage, People who live in glass houses
should not throw stones.
Mr. Editor this letter is not intend
ed as an effort to change our Assem-
blyman'S personal opinions, but to
inform him OF his constituents feel
ingS in the matter.
Villas County Dry Federation.