Palisadian., 1919-01-25
SALOONS AND PROHIBITION.

The prohibition wave is receiving all
the attention from the thinking minds
of the whole world that so radical a
message of morality would be likely to
stir up. In all the history of mankind
no such radical measure was ever be-
fore enacted. There are certain out
standing facts connected with the
movement, however, that may be stud
led with interest. Some of the news
papers are claiming that the great tenn
perance wave is due to the selfiShness
of the monied interests-that is, to the
great business and manufacturing men
of the country who see more efficiency
in labor if every kind of intOXicant is
removed, so that it cannot be obtained
except by stealth or underhanded, lille
gal methods. They argue that if liquor
is withheld by law from the masses
they will be better men. The business
man, therefore, with this simple fact
before him called to his side the pro-
fessional politician.
Under our constitution it was seen
that such a drastic LAW could be made
effective without referendum hence
the rapidity with which action by
state legislatures took up the issue and
soon decided it in conformity to the
demands of the amendment to the Fed
eral Constitution. Thus the new law
becomes valid without a popular vote
on the subject.
As the situation is at this time, men
who would not oppose the action of
cta tn n,a nurnhnr of Sfptnc
orally or in common, that would want
to pass prohibition measure, are OPP
posing the present national law on the
grounds that it is not a fair law, one
not based on the rule of equity govern
ing the affairs of mankind. In other
words, the critics of the measure are
trying to prove that it is an under
handed way of establishing a law
through an evasion of the demands of
the constitution itself
Just how much there is in these
criticisms is of no special Importance
at this time because the measure is
now fixed But the liquor interests are
themselves to blame for the drastic
features of this new national prohibi-
tion law They persistently refused
to regulate the liquor traffic. They al
lowed the brOthel to exist, the business
sank lower and lower, and they allow
ed the saloon men to make their living
out of drunkards They all lied about
that end of their trade. They would
have the public believe that they did
not oversell the drinking man when
that alone filed our prisons and asy-
lums. The abuse of liquor was its
downfall.
Right here at home we have the
strongest evidence of the rigorous eff
fects of the demon rum. 1t is fact
that no less than five men were under
trial on Indictment within one year
or less for the crime of murder within
a mile of each other These cases
were right at our doors. In one in
stance, where the moral side of the
case of murder was braZen we find
the court actually renewing license
for saloon in which the murder had
been committed and following close
upon the act. There may be excuse
for taking drink, but there is none
possible for the man who takes enough
to undermine his reason.
A drink will not kill, but two may
make man want TO kill somebody
else This was the greatest curse to
the saloon The powers that made
them continually possible never looked
at anything beyond the dollar in hand.
They did not play the game with rea-
son. They were SO long tolerated that
they became openly bold and defiant.
Then it was that reason was sent
along about its business and attention
given to nothing that looked like in
reference. The saloons have them
selves and their greed, coupled with
their Indifference to the morals of So
ciety, to thank for the present situa-
ton And they richly deserve the judg-
ment that is now upon them.
Saloons do not thrive upon the pat
ronage of the moderate drinker 1t
is the steaay fellow, the man who !