Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1918-04-03
A SaloonIess Rock Island.

"A SdIOOnt6SS muck ISidh0.
Several causes led to the undoing OF the saloon in
Sock Island yesterday, For number Of years the
.endency toward prohibition throughout the country
aas been marked It has been in the air and the liquor
interests have been waging losing fight City after
city and state after passed to the control
IF the anti-saIoon forces 1t only question OF
lime whein Rock Islands turn should come. The
change in Moline and Davenport obviously fastened
The day Few entertain any doubt that majority
of the states will eventually ratify the prohibition
amendment to the federal constitution and the entire
nation will thus be made dry territory.
The liquor interests this spring had to reckon
with war sentiment and its reaction to the unfavor-
able publicity the city has gained since the federal
government found it expedient to intervene for the
protection of soldiers and others connected with Rock
island arsenal. Whether not we were to maintain
our municipal seIf-respect regarded by many as
the real issue.
The attitude of some of the saloons contribut-
ed in no small degree TO their downfall. Repeated
and fragrant violations of law and rules of decency
cannot be perssted in without eventually meeting
with lust such rebuke as was administered yester
day Then we had concentration here of all the
A4'O't'N'1-S
Ihe retail liquor business Of larg community is re-
Gtricted to a small area These too obvious to
be ignored. and doubtless will be remembered and
have their effect if Rock Island should be called upon
to vote on the saloon question at future time.
There was plenty Of evidence that the people here
had made up their minds on the question before this
local option campaign was begun. While there were
some variations of sentiment from time to time the
arguments pro and had little weight Very little
real effort was necessary win the decision and it is
doubtful il any influence could have changed it. 1t
vas victory for the women.
when woman will, she will and you
may depend ont.
when woman won't she won't, and
that's the end ont"
Influences which made Rock Island vote dry in
the main were the same those which helped to in
crease the majories of anti-saloon forces else
where in this locality.
After the first of May the saloon will go out of
business in Rock Island is doubtful if it
will return MoIines verdict after giving prohibit
ton fair trial may be taken indication Of what
will take place here that is if Rock Island improves
and grows.
This does not mean, however, as The Argus has
repeatedly pointed Inat DetISr
and economic conditions has been 1t is only
started. The bootegger and those who have profted
by exploiting vice in its various forms still
here and will remain till they satisfied that the
days of easy pickings are gone to return. 1t
will take vigilance and close cooperation of all forces
which are on the side of decency definitely estab
lish sound moral conditions Presence of federal Of
ncers here now will make the easier, but there
Is still plenty TO do
Before the election it was frequently limited that
f the city did the saloons out the federal
thorities were prepared to accomplish the end
by making the liquor prohibition area about Rock
Island arsenal coextensive with the ive-nile vice
zone. The Argus is sure that nobody's feelings will
|be hurt if it is decided to take this step
Such course will make it easier to deal with the
bootegger and make thorugh job of the cleanup
Biennial local option elections always have dis
turbng effect in territory involved tending toward
factionalism and discouraging efforts for the
mon good 1t is to be hoped that Rock Island may
be spared future ordeals of this kind Let us con-
slider the issue definitely settled and bend the ener
gies we have been wasting working to individual and
ends for the good of the entire city
There never will be a better time to start than
now One Of the most hopeful signs is the tendency
which has followed the advent of the commission
form Of government to eliminate partisanship in
purely local affairs. We must put the best possible
in office regardless of their attitude upon issues
In which the community has direct concern, and
must back them in their efforts to put into ef
feet the will Of the people and to enforce the law
The people have made the saloon unlawful in
Rock Island. Enforce the law.