The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1921-12-02
CHICAGO BUSINESS MAN DECLINES Wet INVITATION
Reasons for Refusing Join Wet Organization Forth in
Following Letter by R. G. Benjamin of Chicago

laws relating thereto. and | am highly
pleased with the result.
The greatest benefit has come
through the smaller towns and coun-
try communities. The evil effects
about which you speak only show up
to any extent in larger communities
where there are unprincipled politi-
clans III control of local affairs, who
seize this opportunity for grating
purposes instead of doing their duty.
Such officials cann6t rightly claim to
be good Americans, to say nothing OF
proper officials. certainly would not
wish to line up with them, as have
more respect for myself my family
and the public in general.
You say that morality and right
living cannot be legislated into our
citizens That is very true, but we
have laws against murder and other
crimes, and rightly SO as a deterrent;
in other words, you and | as well as
other citizens need something to pre-
vent us from exceeding our rights in
the community. We need some re-
straint and | think ii would be we'll
to have some restraint OH the people
who are clamoring for a repeal OF the
Prohibition laws. Judging from my
knowledge of their makeup. | have
never found that group of people to
be the highest grade of citizens, al
though there are some very good citi-
zens among them.
My experience in political and good
government affairs in various direc-
tons has led me to the firm convic-
ton thai where public officials have
been p ID elected by the liquor
element they have been tools of that
organization, and almost uniformly
have been opposed to any legislation
that had d moral issue OF an uplifting
character. On the other hand, where
ever the Prohibition forces have been
successful in electing their men, these
men have made good officials i'll most
cases. not only with respect to liquor
problems, but with respect to other
matters of common interest to the
public. The records of the acts OF
public officials in the city of Chicago
and state OF Illinois, insofar as | am
acquainted with same, strongly sup-
ports the above conclusion.
stand for those things which are
uplifting to humanity and not degrad-
ing. The use of liquor has not up
lifted mankind. but has greatly de-
graded same. otherwise there would
have been no issue.
We want to keep the temptation
away from the boys and girls particu-
larry We want to also put out of
existence the ordinary saloon which
has nearly always been a political
headquarter of the lowest type through
which many politicians have obtained
votes fraudulently by the use Of
money and other considerations. 1t
was also a rendezvous for all classes
of criminals and breeding place for
immortality.
Prohibition in the main has come to
stay. 1t will not be overthrown eX-
cept in some localities temporarily.
The vast majority of the people in our
, country have seen enough OF the bene-
fits of Prohibition SO that they will
not turn around and vote it out. The
efforts of your organization will not
accomplish what you hope. OF this |
am thoroughly convinced. You will
prevent a certain amount of law en-
forcement. Your attitude is encour-
aging lawlessness and lack of respect
for law This breeds criminality.
It is unnecessary for me to state
further that | will not consent to join
your organization.
Yours very truly,
(Signed) r. B. Benjamin.
RBB/FM