The Oakes times. [volume] (Oakes, N.D.) 1906-current, 1920-03-11
THE OTHER SIDE
IS HEARD FROM
Local Members of Young Mems In
dependent League Argue
for Repeal
BLUE LAWS ARE DISCUSSED
Say the Calamity Howler is Again
at Large in the Land

tne l8n0. Inc W8lllngS, the f0ntmgS,
the evil forebodings of the species
disturb the peace and quietude. Per-
meated with the Puritanic spirit Of
staid old New England this self
styled prophet, he Of the exaggerated
ego, foretells the direfulness Of COM
ing events.
On March 18th the electors Of this
state will determine the question Of i.
the repeal Of several Of tho so-called
"Blue Laws" and the adoption Of 9TH
er laws. in lieu thereof. They include
the laws relating to Sunday baseball,
Sunday theatres, legalizing boxing
matches and the sale Of cigarettes.
We hold no brief for the elements
Of lawlessness; ON the other hand our
views do not coincide with the views
Of the sscrosanct. We have the ut
most regard for Christianity, but an
utter aversion to the wild eyed fanatic
whose zeal (?) for the welfare Of his
fellow man obscures the light Of rea-
son. You are told that the repeal of
these laws will be followed with the
most dire consequences. You are tsld
that the corruption Of morals will fol-
low in the wake Of their repeal, that
our churches will be deserted, and
that the righteous will be led from
paths of virtue to the rosy paths Of
perdition.
Let us repeal the cigarette law,
which is, under the circumstances,
unavoidable, and adopt the initiative
measure relative thereto. As long as
cigarettes are sold in neighboring
states they will find their way into
North Dakota. You all remember
how local option worked, when dry
territory was irrigated from sources
beyond its borders, without any
proper supervision or control. More
than two million of the young men
of this country saw service on the
battle fields Of France. We think
that it is safe to say that ninety per
cent Of them were cigarette smokers.
Did the action Of those men on the
battle field warrant the assertion
that their manhood had become i'm
paired, that they were degenerated?
Let the mad rush Of the enemy to-
ward the Rhine in the closing days
Of the war testify. The people Of
this nation furnished cigarettes to the
boys in the trenches. Why deprive
them Of them now? The only solu-
tion Of the problem is the adoption
Of the proposed measure legalizing
the sale to adults and prohibiting the
sale to minors under heavy penalty.
In voting upon this measure let us
be consistent with our actions dur
ing the war.
Sunday Theatres. Why not! What
is the real objection? Out here on
the prairies there are few amuse-
ments. We fail to see any injury
which could possibly result from the
proper operation Of the theatre on
Sunday, during such hours as would
not interfere with church services.
Not a proper Observance of the
Lords Day, You say. Appoint your
self an inspector any Sunday you
wish. Observe closely. Inspect every
nook and Granny, even as Diogenes
Of old. Let your own sense present
to you the evidence Of existing con-
ditions and weigh the results Of your
observation in the balance. Would
the Sunday theatre be 80 bad after
all? We think not. Give this mat
ter fair consideration.
And now the boxing match. Yes,
they have pictured to us scenes of
bloodshed. One contestant beating
mercilessly to earth his opponent.
They have drawn a picture of degrad-
ed human nature suggestive Of the
gladiatorial combats Of the arena .of
ancient Rome. Forget it. This bill
proposes nothing Of the kind. Just
good clean sport under the supervis-
icn of a State Athletic Commission.
In every army camp, both in this
country and abroad, during the war,
boxing was encouraged and in many
of them it was made compulsory.
1t constituted a part Of the regular
training. The government recognized
proficiency in the art ~ valuable
asset. This measure does NOT le-
galize prize fights. Let 10 support it.
! What has been said. Of the other
measures pertains also TO baseball.
Under the present law the playing
Of organized base ball on Sunday is
prohibited. II the usual Sunday at.
tendance at the games 10 any criter.
ion, no argument will be necessary
in support Of this measure.
Certain individuals have recently,
by innuendo, made cowardly, unlear-
ranted and vicious attacks on the
American Legion. charging that body
with fostering lawlessness, catering
to the degrading elements in life,
4 CONCLUDED on Page Six)