Lane County leader., May 20, 1904, Image 9

Supplement
to
£bc Xanc County Xeaber
VOL. X V I.
COTTAGE GROVE, OREGON, MAY 20, 19M
T W E N T Y REASONS WHY
I SHOULD VOTE FOR THE LOCAL OPTION BILL
1. Because, according to Justice
Harlan, of the United Stutes Su­
preme Court, local option is the ba­
sic principle of American govern­
ment and I am an American citizeu.
2. Because, according to Win. E
Gladstone, who first advocated local
option, it has been found to be a
practical and effective solution of
the liquor problem. It is already
the law of thirty-five states and ter­
ritories of the Union.
3. Because I believe in the Initi­
ative and Referendum law, aud this
bill, the first presented under thut
popular law, is in accord with it.
4 . Because it will take
the liquor problem out of
politics by making it a non­
partisan issue, thus remov­
ing a chief cause of politi­
cal corruption.
5 Because town and city
councils could then be elect­
ed on other than saloon is­
sues and many competent
business men who refuse
to be candidates would al­
low their names to be used.
6. Because it would largely re­
move corruption from municipal
government, the weakest point in
American law.
7. Because it would confine the
saloon to the business districts aud
protect the residence districts, these
wards build up with h6mes, public
schools and churches. Tennessee
law will not allow a saloon withiu
four miles of a public school, except
in eight of the large cities. In the
cities of Oregon saloons are rnpidly
louating themselves in residence
wards, thus depreciating the value
of property und demoralizing the
youth dependence of the state. The
Supreme Court of the United States
has declared: “The saloon has been
enjoined as acommou nuisance when
set up and run in a purely residence
community.”
8. Because it would give the
citizens of towns and cities the same
temperance legislation aDd should
have the privilege of voting upon
the liquor proposition without with­
drawing from any party.
16. Because I am an American
aud believe in the “ majority rule”
underlying all American govern­
ment.
17. Because I am a loyal citizen
aud believe it to be my duty to re­
buke whatever opposes a pure ballot.
A ssloonist of Portland said : “ We
could have killed the initiative pe­
tition with $200, but it will require
$25,000 to kill the bill. Yet we
must do it.”
At a recent meeting
of the Retail Liquor Dealers of Port­
land, at Alisky Hall, it was proposed
that they assess themselves $200
each to create a fund to prevent the
people from securing home protec­
tion at the polls. This would ag­
gregate $75,000 for Portland alone.
A few days later the brewers and
wholesale dealers, according to the
Oregonian decided to join forces
with the retailers to fight the local
option bill. They declared: “ WTe
can raise millions for defense.”
Their iiBual methods of subsidizing
the public press, circulating false
statements through the mails on the
eve of election, aud buying votes
through every saloon of the state,
are a menac and a rebellion aguinste
good government.
18. Because I am a church mem­
ber, and believe that Christian civil
ization is the fonndation of real
national progress. This law would
protect our Christian institutions
from iDroadsof the saloon, the hot­
bed of vice and crime.
19. Because I am a man and be­
lieve in humauity. I am my brother’s
keeper aud “ love worketh no ill to
bis neighbor.” This law would place
my state with thirty-five others, be­
sides the five that have statutory or
constitutional prohibition, in line of
twentieth century progress.
20. Because I believe that law­
breakers, gamblers, thugs and all
the vicious class will vote against
it.
THEREFORE, FOR THE BEST
INTERESTS OF OREGON, I
SHALL VOTE “ YES” FOR LO­
CAL OPTION!
privileges of local option now en­
joyed by the rural districts, where
they have the right of remonstra­
ting against saloons in their precinct.
To prevent the people having a
voice whether there shall be a grog­
shop in their residence communities
many small villages, logging and
mining camps are being incorpor­
ated through liquor influences. It
is not a gross injustice to practically
disfranchise citizens because they
live within a uiuuicipialty.
9. Because it would give every
taxpayer the privilege of saying
whether or not he wanted the saloon.
Do not be deceived by the false
statements the brewers will circu­
late throughout the state on the eve
of the election. It has been dem­
onstrated i u ninny states that the
expense of criminality, pauperism
police protection, etc. arising from
the liquor traffic, is about ten times
the revenue received. The tax­
payers must foot the bills. The
brewers aud liquor dealers are seek­
ing to line their own pockets. Do
not be caught by selfish guile. Fore­
warned is forearmed.
10. Because it would father an
opportunity to decide whether they
would continue to sacrifice 800
Oregon boys each year to the 1600
saloons of the state. Uncal option
is a choice between the boy aud the
saloon.
11. Because I am a Republican
and believe in the principle of pro­
tection. Local Option grants pro­
tection of home, the most valuable
American institution.
12. Because I am a Democrat
nnd believe iu the rights of the sov­
ereign people to have a voice in
governmental affairs.
13. Because I am a Prohibitionist
and believe in co-operating with
Local OptionistH to prevent the sale
of fiery rum in any locality.
14. Because I am a Socialist and
believe iD the Initiative and Refer­
endum law as a step toward “ a
government of the people, by the
people, and for the people.”
Legal blanks and mining location
15. Because I am an advocate of notices at the L eadeb office.