The American issue. [volume], March 01, 1912, Page 3, Image 5

About The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??

Image provided by: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library, Urbana, IL

                
involved for the perpetuation of their privileges as they are
at this moment. Never before has the subtlety of the traffic
been so clearly understood and so fearlessly assailed by the
Anti-Saloon League forces of Illinois as it is today.
It is clear to us that a long pull and a strong pull alto
gether of the foes of the liquor traffic in the coming primary
and general election will bring to the fair prairies and splendid
cities of the great state of Logan and Grant and the im
mortal Lincoln practically complete deliverance from the
visible presence of the legalized liquor traffic.
Whereas: The tragic point of contact between the sa
loon and the anti-saloon forces is in the arena of the state
and national politics, and
Whereas: It is the paramount influence of the liquor
traffic in politics hitherto that has secured to it its perpetua
tion in our fair state. In this arena, therefore, we must meet
this most despicable foe of all that is good and great and
rout it.
Resolved: That the next logical and necessary step in
Illinois is county option. From our legislature we demand
this as a political and moral right which may be no longer
reasonably denied the electorate of Illinois.
Resolved: That we demand of the officers of the law
everywhere a rigid enforcement of the law touching the sale
of intoxicants and that we pledge to them in this effort the
hearty support and co-operation of the Anti-Saloon League
forces. We recommend the formation of a law enforcement
committee in every township and precinct throughout the
state.
Thorough Organization Urged.
Resolved: That we recommend thorough precinct or
ganizations as the only efficient method of registering at the
polls the strength of the anti-saloon sentiments, and that
an untiring effort be made in the approaching primary elec
tion, April 9, to bring to the polls every “dry” voter in
Southern Illinois.
Resolved: That we heartily commend the Anti-Saloon
League of Illinois on the splendid achievements of the past,
that we particularly endorse the administration and the
superb work of John W. Perry, superintendent of the
Southern Illinois District. We urge all voters to stand by
the League’s endorsement of candidates in the coming
election.
Resolved: further, That we urge the League to endorse
only the number of candidates in each district as may be
elected. To the choice in the April primary and to the
election at the polls in November of candidates for the legis
lature pledged to the county option proposition and to the
general policy of the Anti-Saloon League of Illinois we
pledge our honor, our best efforts, our prayers and our votes.
Taylorville-A City Without Saloons-Puts
. O.K. on No-License Policy
Taylorville, Christian county, is a community
without saloons. Ask the merchants what they think
about the “wet” and “dry” proposition from the stand
point of the cash register and they will look at you in
amazement. Only slowly will the truth dawn upon them
that you are really sincere in asking, but when they
realize that you really want to know you will hear
things. You will hear that the saloon won’t do in
Taylorville; you will hear this said with the strongest
kind of emphasis. One merchant said to me:
“I thought you were joking when you first spoke.
But, of course, you don’t live here, my friend, or you
would not be asking such a question. I’ll tell you just
how it is. This town is better off in every way since
the saloons went out. It is cleaner, more orderly and
better financed. All of the boys on the square are
doing a bigger business than in “wet” times. Collec
tions are better, many old ledger customers have be
come cash buyers, and those that formerly had neither
cash nor credit are coming in and buying the best stocks
that we carry. That looks as if local option had not
hurt us a whole lot, doesn’t it?”
This was a pretty strong statement, so I went
along the street to verify it. But everywhere I found
the same sentiment. Taylorville was easy to guage.
But for that matter I knew the minute that I came
into the town that I was going to meet with a pros
perous lot of folks. It was in the air. And right here
let me say that the atmosphere of a “dry” town can be
detected from that of a “wet” the minute you step off
the train. Any traveling man will tell you that. The
“dry” town man goes out of his way to make it pleas
ant for you. You meet few rebuffs; no surly answers.
Taylorville boasts of the county seat and it is
rightfully hers. On the four sides of the city square
the principal business houses are to be found. They
act as a frame, so to speak, to the picture within—the
county building. This is a large and architecturally
attractive structure whose tower meets the eye from
any point in the city. In the summer months a per
fectly kept lawn gives the added touch to Taylorville’s
down-town civic and business prosperity.
Beautiful Residences, Splendid Schools and Churches.
Now let the stranger seek other parts of the town.
He will find a splendid school system with some of the
best teachers in all Illinois. The general standard of
scholarship is high. The pupils are orderly and well
dressed. County Superintendent of Schools Henry L.
Folkes, told me the story of Taylorville’s school system
and the reasons for its unusual success. His remarks
in reference to school attendance, comparative status
of pupils as to dress, deportment, general cleanliness,
etc., during “wet” and “dry” regimes, are highly inter
esting. Mr. Folkes is quoted under his own name in
another part of this article.
A drunken man is a rare sight in Taylorville.
Where one can be found now, a dozen might be seen
four years ago. Any man who is not a saloonkeeper,
a brewer’s agent or a confirmed liar will vouchsafe for
the truth of this statement. And with this thought in
mind let me tell you of some other things—and sombre
they are, too—which the county recorder’s office shows,
with reference to saloons that are doing business in
Christian county outside Taylorville. Such incidents
emphasize the advantages of a “dry” town.
Contrasted With “Wet” Pana.
Delia Rayhill and her daughter, Elsie, are suing
certain Pana saloonkeepers, brewers, property owners
and others for $10,000 each. These defendants, she
avers, ruined her husband financially. The latter,
Joseph C. Rayhill, formerly owned a farm valued at