The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1920-03-11

In a sermon at the Methodist church
Pastor Clifford spoke in part as fol-
lows:
"Thou Shalt Not Steal" is written
big in revelation, in history, in the
statutes of states and nations. Yet
there are folks who are SO enslaved
by the Glove of money" that they will
sell society, and barter their own souls
for gain. Not only wave of sense
less extravaganza, but contagion of
money madness is today sweeping the
world. There are individuals and cor
porations whose lust for money is lead
ing into unprecedented dishonesty and
crookedness.
Now plan has been conceived and
launched to take from the pockets of
the citizens of this state, millions of
money, for which there is nothing ad-
equate to be given in return. In the
ethics of the economist that is steal
ing. The first approach to that pro-
gram is in the repeal of certain moral
| laws in this state which interfere with
the carrying out of their program.
Many excellent laws have been writ
ten into the statute books of this state
for the safeguarding of the interests
of our citizens. For instance, prohibi-
ton was written into the Constitution
of North Dakota, and now the whole
nation has approved that action. There
are many other excellent laws, some
of which BIG INTERESTS now pro-
pose to repeal because they interfere
with the prosecution of their business.
We have law in this state forbid
ding the opening of theatres and NOV
ing picture shows on Sunday. This
they wish to repeal. The result would
be that the church and religious educa-
ton would have diminishing chance,
and religion and morality-for accord
ing to George Washington you cannot
have the one without the other-would
be crowded out of life.
North Dakota does not at present
permit Sunday base ball with charge
for admission. 1t is proposed to re-
peal that law, throwing open our COM
munities to commercialized base ball
and the big league games on Sunday,
making it noisy holiday.
Then there is to be an attempt to
raise boxing commission, repeating
by substitution the laws which at pres
ent safeguard our citizens from bru-
talizing exhibitions. The proposed
law would make the state dumping
ground for the pug-uglies of the prize
ring.
The fourth proposal is to repeal the
present law forbidding the sale of Gig
arettes in this state, and license deal
ers to sell the ''little white slavers" to
men and women over eighteen years
of age. We once had such law in
with nol 1+o .,,%, 81
states at the same time, and fathered
by the Interests" and it was always
a dead letter as it was expected to be-
We had laws forbidding the sale of
liquor to minors in many states, but
while the business was tolerated the
boys got it just the anne and ninety
five per cent of the topers began drink
ing while they were under age. Fur
thermore, the license scheme would
saddle onto the state the same embar-
rasment which perpetuated the infa-
nous liquor traffic for years. And
have you given consideration to what
the cigarette does for people. DR..
Gunsaulus, Chicago's greatest orator
and educator, says, 81 do not believe
there is any agency more destructive
of soul, mind and body, or more sub,
versive of good morals than the cigar
cite. The fight against the cigarette
is the fight for civilization This
statement is upheld by facts revealed
by investigation. In our schools stu
dents who smoke are not making their
grades. In the $4,000 graduates from
Harvard, not one smoker ever gradu-
ated at the head of his class. Juvenile
crime is increasing among those who
smoke, and industrial schools and re-
formatories are being filled by those
who use the weed. Thru tests on thous-
ands of cases it has been proven that
the user of tobacco, in any occupation,
is only TWENTY-FIVE per cent below his
possible efficiency. Yet thru the infa-
nous advertising propaganda of the
American Tobacco Co. during the war,
the cigarette habit has been fastened
upon thousands as never before. Last
year 330,O0O,O00,O00 cigarettes were
produced in this country, $50 for every
man, woman, child and baby. The age
for beginning to smoke has been low
cred from % to II years, and three
people in every hundred who smoke are
and girls. Do you wish to CO.
operate with the American Tobacco
Co. until it becomes common sight to
see women and girls smoking on the
streets of North Dakota? Do you
want to see cigarette smoking mothers
raising the babies of the next gener-
alton.
Now who is asking for this breaking
Down of religion, morality and decency
IN, North Dakota? It is the fathers
and mothers, is it the citizenship of
his state? Some tell you it is the re-
,urned soldiers, that they want the IL
:ense Of the European Sabbath. l do
not believe that. They who fought for
American ideals in Flanders and in
France are not clamoring for the in
reduction Of foreign conditions here.
That would not be American, and they
ire American citizens.
Where did this movement originate?
It originated with the big interests,
he film corporations, the prize fight
promoters and gamblers, the base ball
and the American Tobacco
Company. And why are they doing
70? To make millions Of money out
# the people of this state. And what
will they give in return? They will
give a lower standard of citizenship, q
appreciated quality of manhood and
dwarfed intellectually,
n ID NJ.