The Forrest City times. [volume], May 18, 1900, Image 2

About The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919

Image provided by: Arkansas State Archives

                
~bc jforrcst fiitjj Cimcs.
LANDVOIGT & VADAKIN.
'Old it ora And Publlahara.
PKIDAT AFTERNOON. MAY IK 1*00.
DEMOCRATIC TICKET.
For Representative.
S. M. BLALOCK.
For County ami Probate .Judge.
GEO. p. TAYLOR.
For Clerk of the Circuit Court.
GEORGE B. MALLORY.
For Clerk of County and Probate Court.
T. C. MERWIN.
For Sheriff and Collector.
W. E. WILLIAMS.
For Assessor.
GEO. W. ROWLAND.
yor County Treasurer.
T. E. HASKINS.
For Surveyor.
K. L. STOCK A RD.
For Coroner.
J. II. ALLEY.
For Justice of the Peace, Madison Tp.
J. B. SANDERS.
WALTER GORMAN.
>
For Constable, Madison Township.
THAI). SELLERS.
Propositions:
For License.
Against License.
For Constitutional Amendment.
Against Constitutional Amendment
“The Reasons Mentioned.”
The editor of The Times in hi
reply to my former article still
contends “that to vote down li.
cense at the coming election will
bo a calamity to Forrest City, foi
tho reasons mentioned.”
He replies at great length and
at great range, and many of hi.
statements are too trivial or ludi
ci ous to be noticed. Bat as his cas<
booms to bo a nervous one, (hys
terics) I shall be patient with mj
brother and endeavor to convince
him that “for the reasons mention
ed” he can with absolute certainty
look for no “calamity” to follow
the departure of saloons from For
rest City in nineteen hundred ano
oii^. Jn doing this, however, ]
am confronted with this difficulty
that he hacks confidence in m.
treatment; tier he says of me, “he
is not familiar with the facts.” ]
icar from the labored effort my i
patient makes in defense of the
license system bo has about made
up his mind not to reoover, and
like Rachel weeping for her child
ren, lie “will not be oomforted.”
But his disorder (hysteria) is not
fatal and I may know more about
“the facte” than he supposes.
If this prescription does not pro
duee the desired effect, 1 shall,
donbio the dose in my next.
The editor would make it ap
pear that I had probably set him
in a taise light before tho peopU
un this question, and bonce he is
careful to have them understano
that he is no “apologist for tin
evils of whisky drinking.” In mj
article I did not question the mo
lives of the editor but dealt strict
ly with his statements. In the!
light of these he was to be inter
preted and by them he must stand
or fall.
No, wo do not say the editoi
''approves the evils of drunken
ness,” nor does the saloonkeeper
or drunkard himself approve them,
but we do say that the man who
contends for the Baloon, who
writes for it, and votes for it, does
propagate these evils, and if the
oditor can harmonize tho policy
of his paper with his above dec
laration, well enough; we will not
make tho attempt.
L/et us examine “the reasons;
mentioned" and see what show ol
argument there is in the editor’s
defense for the saloon. In speak;
ing of the costs of criminal prose
cutions in the circuit court he
says that by a comparison of the
ten years of local option in For
rest City (1879 to 1890) with the
ten years of saloons (1889 to 1900)
“we will probably find that there
is a balance in favor of the saloon
period." In answer to this it is
sufficient to» say that “we will
probably not find a balance in fa
vor of the saloon period." When
the editor proves his statement
here I will believe it, but as it is I
do not believe it, and so strong is
my faith in local option that I will
defy him or anyone else to pro
duce the proof. As there are ex
eeptions to all rules, and I have
not investigated the records of
this county, 1 could be mistaken;
but before I have done with my
part of this discussion I will pro
duce official statistics and authen
ticated faots that prove just the
contrary wherevor the matter has
been tested.
Again, after calling attention to
Forrest City’s calaboose at the
time the editor came to the town,
and describing it as “an old dilapi
dated, filthy and disgraceful ono
room plank building,” ho adds:
“Had it not been for the revonue
from liccnso, the probability in
that the town would still bo using
the same building for the incarcer
ation of its prisoners.” Indeed,
for “fourteen years” ago, when
the editor came to Forrest City
“local option” prevailed, and had
it not been for the return of “li
cense” the “probability” is For
rest City would have needed noth
ing more in the wuy of a prison
than her “old dilapidated, one
room plank caiabooso.” I am sur
prised at the editor’s makiug use
of such reasoning ns this, as it is a
conceded fact that the saloon is
not surpassed nor equalled by any
agency in America in building (by
creating the necessity rather than
tarnishing the money) and peo
pling the prisons. It is exactly for
this reason that we oppose the su
loon and will do so to Iho “cud of
| the world.”
•‘Wo might stop to reply, says
the editor, “to the very studied
! sarcasm which he saw fit to launch
at tho editor of The Times, but
we have long since learned that
ihero is no profit in personal jour
nulism. Therelore we shall not
notice Rev. Davidson’s efforts
along this line, and this disposes
nf the major portion of his argu
ment.” Nowr it is a fact that the edi
tor noticed, in some sort of fashion,
avery position that 1 took except
ihe one in regard to thebible from
which I quoted Habakuk 2: 6-17.
This he absolutely ignored and
must therefore constitute the
‘major portion” of my argument.
If this is not the “very studied
sarcasm” to which he alludos there
only remains unnoticed the more
pleasantry of my opening remarks.
I still insist that the editor recon
cile, if he can, his position as a be
liever in the word of God t& his
position on tho saloon question.
This was not meant for sarcasm,
but may truly be admitted as the
•‘major portion of my argument.”
I can afford to stand or fall by the
word of God, and this 1 am will
ing to do, and so should the editor
of The Times.
Ho says; “We do not pretend to
say, and never have, that it is a
good thing to drink whisky. On
the other hand those whe have
known qs long and have read our
paper know that we, as much as
anyone, deprecate and regret the
awful consequences of intemper
ance in the use of strong drink.”
This being true, then tho only dif
torenoe betwoen the editor and
myself is the method by which we
propose to deal with what both
concede to be an evil. But how
does he propose to deal with this
evil? He answers first, “by pre
cept and example.” In this I
agree with him. And just bore I
want to suggest (in a whisper of
course) that our editor, for the
take of consistency, eliminate from
his paper all the saloon advertise
ments as they must help the sa
loons in tho sale of liquor and
ihe production of evil, to
which he is opposed as well as my
«elf. In the second place he an
swers, “by licensing and controll
ing.” Here we differ. To “li*
cense” a saloon is for a certain
money consideration, not only to
consent to the liquor traffic, but it
is even to defend it in “putting
the bottle to thy neighbor’s lips
and making him drunk.” This
we are forbidden to do by Al
mighty God under the penalty of
threatened woe, and God forbid
that I should go to the judgment
with the stain of a neighbor’s
blood on my soul! Again, in deal
ing with any evil the object is not
to “control,” but to destroy all or
any part of that evil, Jesus Christ
•‘camo into tho world to destroy
the works of the devil”—not to
control them; and the editor of
1'he Times and I cannot afford to
change our Master’s polioy. He
may take the risk, but as for me
[ will take moral suasion in one
band and the law in tho other, and
with these two most powerful wea
pons in God’s armory I will drive
this enemy out.
“We believe," says tho editor,
•‘that during the last year of local
option in Forrest City there was
more drunkenness upon our
streets, and apparently just as
much or more crime due to liquor
than during the last year." If this
statement be true, it certainly re
flects no credit upon either
officer or citizen of Forrest
City at that time. All that is nec
essary to practically suppress the
illioit sale of liquor is a faithful
officer backed bya loyal citizenship.
If we lack both these inForrest City
1 am ready new to submit that lo
cal option would be not only a
failure here but an impossibility.
But this I cannot believe. Now, 1
grant it may have SEEMED to the
editor and to others, that under i
local option as much “drunken
ness, etc.," took placo as under
[license,and yet not have been a
reality. Under local option whiv
ley selling is forbidden end honce
not expected, and when drunken
ness and crime do occur they are
more noticeable. But when sa
loons are legalized and run open
on our streets such things are ex
pected and looked upon ns matters
of course. Anything will uppear
worse when forbidden than wh >n
it has the sanction of the law, and
is always more noticable when it
proceeds from an unexpected
source. .Lot one of tho min
isters of JForrcst City enter
a saloon, get drunk and go upon
the street in that condition, and it
will be in tho car and mouth of
every person in town. But let
some poor old toper or habitual
drinker do the same thing and
who will give it notico ? * Some
figures on this point later.
Tho editor further says: ‘’Our
convictions are that prohibition
and local option is a failure. * *
Those who drink whisky will
drink just as much, in many cases
more when they have the handy
jug, than they do now.” This is
tho same old chestnut, and with
out a vestige of prool. If this be
true, then I ask why it is that
whisky men do all in their power
for license when they could soli as
much or more liquor, and that too
nt less cost, without license? If
local option bo a failure why
did the inhabitants of Hawaii pe
tition congress to prohibit the li
censing of saloons within those is
lands, and why has tho house of
representatives passed a bill grant
ing that petition? If the editor’s
“convictions” be true, how is it
the state of Massachusetts, when in
an official investigation was made
in 1894, the very contrary was es
tablished in over three* hundred
and fifty towns and cities where
the test was made? Let my brother
doubt not—statistics aro forthcom
ing.
It is mere idle talk to say that
men will get more whisky out of
tho *‘handy jug” than out of the
handy saloon. Hundreds of men,
old and young, will enter the con
venient and gilded saloon for mix
ed and choice drinks from cut
glass and silver cups, under its
dreamy light, who would consider
it a degradation of their manhood
to slink away into the foul hole of
a blind tiger to drink only rot-gut
whisky. Nothing is suror to allure
to his ruin tho unsuspecting j’oung
man than tho exciting scenes and
deceitful pleasures of the open sa
loon.
It is the fascinating smile, the
half-open lips, the yawning mouth
the shining teeth, the snapping
jaws, the very throat “and bolly
of hell.” Bewaro of the open sa
loon.
It is a fact none will deny that
in Forrest City several persons
lost their lives last year from the
effects of whisky procured at the
saloons in Forrest City, two of
those having been cremated by tho
burning of the city station house.
Yet the editor reasons upon theso
sad events as follows: “The fact
that two or more lives wore lost
in Forrest City last year as the re
sult of whisky drinking, or that
the town lost a $1200 building
from the same cause, does notin
anywise prove that the open sa
loon is responsible for it. It might
have occurred under local option.
Whisky drinking may have done
so, without tho saloon being pres
ent.” Such argument is a travesty
jon logic, an outrage upon reason,
With as much sense you could say
that because I had killed a man I
should in nowise bo held respon
sible for it, as tho murder might
have been committed by some
other man had it not been for me.
This passago in the editor's reply
needs no furthor comment; it is
the climax of absurdity.
The editor would have you
understand that I offered no proof
that his “estimate” of “a calamity”
upon Forrost City was false, and
would make it appear that all the
revenue this town can command
aside from the saloons is less than
$3Q00 per annum and less than is
absolutely necessary to meet run
ning expenses, and that the with
drawal of saloons would result in
a sad depreciation of scrip. Ad
mitting that $3000 is all the reve
nue this <*own could command
without saloons, we would be none
the worse off for this, as the awful
cost of saloons to the town and
county and humanity would be
withdrawn together with their
blood stained revenue. It Is use
less tt> tell me that this town with
its wealth cannot command suffi
ciontJJ|lund8 to keep up all neces
sary ^improvements. Let all the
wealth of Forrest City be assessed
at its full property value, and im
provement districts established for
which the law makes provision,
and the proud and independent lit-!
tie city of eastern Arkansas “will
mock when your fear cometh, and
laugh at your CALAMITY.”
The editor says: “Wo have trav
eled some. We have seen scores
of towns and cities, and we do not
remember to have seen one to this
good day where local option pre
vailed which could hold a candle to
Forrest City as an up-to-date mu
nicipality.” According to this
theory an “up-to-date” town means
a town with one or more saloons.
Kbcn
Dyspepsia Cure
Digests what you eat.
It artificially digests the food and aids
Nature in strengthening and recon*
structlng the exhausted digestive or*
gans. It is the latest discovered digest*
ant and tonic. No other preparation
can approach it in efficiency. It in
stantly relieves and permanently cures
Dyspepsia, Indigestion, Heartburn,
Flatulence, Sour Stomach, Nausea,
Sick Headache,Gastralgi a,Cramps and
all other results of imperfectdigestion.
Price 60c. and It. Large stioconU1bs2H times
•mall size. Book all aboutdyspepelamailed free
Prepared by E. C. DeWlTT A CO. Chicago.
J. H. DUNAVANT.
Eliminate the “saloon” element
and you eliminate the “up-to-date”
element of the town; then all the
credit of Forrest City as an “up-to
date municipality” 19 due exclusive
ly to tho three saloons. Now, isn't
this fine reasoning! Mirabilo dic
tum ! Such may bo complimentary
to her saloon keepers, but it lacks
no small measure of being so to
her merchants and citizens gencr
ally. Were I guilty ot such a re
flection upon the best citizens of
Forrest City, I would not be sur
prised if they should invite “the
parson” to leave the town (?) But
my brother editor is an old-time
citizen in Forrest City and a privi
leged character, as well as a fine
reasoner.
But mark vou, the editor, who
has “traveled some” and “seen
scores of towns and citios,” which
bear him out in his statement, does
not mention a single instanco—ail
you have is his opinion. Now,
please put tho editor’s opinion iu
one end of tho ballanee and in the
other end put tho following:
“Thomasville, Ga., has been for
tho past year a no-licsnso town.
The treasurer’s books show that
tho municipality at least is, as one
of its aldermen states, ‘not depend
ant in any sense upon liquor and
the revenue derived therefrom for
its ability to meet all its obliga
tions.’ Notwithstanding tho fact
that the city’ lost tho sum of 83300,
before that time derived from the
liquor license, it entered upon the
fiscal year 1900 with $1800 more
cash on hand than it had at the
same date last year. This, too,
after it had paid off about $8000 of
debts contracted by former admin
istrations.” — Nashville Christian
Advocate. Thcso facts tell their
own story. But it my end of the
balanco is not heavy enough, I can
add a dozen more instances just as
good as the above, and better, too.
Let it be observed, that all
through the editor's reply tho sta
ple of his argument consists in
“probabilities,” “we believe,”
“our convictions,” “we deny,” in
all of which there is no attempt at
proof. The editor seems to think
that his “fourteen year*” residence
in Forrest City is sufficient proof
of “the erroneous conclusions”
which 1 “hurriedly rushed into
print.” This is simply begging
the question. If tho writer has not
lived in Forrest City during tho
past fourteen years, ho has lived
somewhere, and it is to be hoped
not wholly in vain.
Though “Rev. Davidson” is no
more than a little transient Metho
dist preacher in Forrest City,
while Brother Vadakin is ono of,
her time-honored citizens; her
honorable city recorder, and ed
itor of The Times, let him not im
agine that such a boast (“the rea
sons mentioned”) is any defense
for the saloons in Forres: City, or
his calamity (?) is inevitable.
“Big words do not simte like
war clubs,
“Boastful breath is not a bow
string,
“Taunts are not so sharp as ar
rows,
“Deeds are bettor things than
words,
“Actions are mightier than
boastings.” More anon,
W. U. Davidson, i
“Earnest Willie’’ Again.
It is with pleasure that we announce
the second coming of Mr. Will I). I'p-1
ahaw, better known as ‘ Earnest Willie,”
the rolliug chair speaker of Georgia, lie
delighted our people with one of his uni
que lecture entertainments two years ago,
and by his charming, warm hearted per
sonality made many friends in Forrest
City who will be glad to know ttiat lie is
to be with us again. Since his previous
visit he has been in college at Mercer
University, Macon, (»a., and comes pre
pared to entertain our people in a charm
ing new lecture, which he is pleased to
call “Climbing Upward.” Mr. Upshaw
is very popular in his own state, and in
deed throughout the soutii. and his record
as a platform entertainer is remarkable.
No man in the south draws larger houses
or gives more general satisfaction, and we
feel sure of a royal feast upon the occas
ion ol bis second visit to our city, lie
bas been engaged to deliver his new lec
ture. “Climbing Upward” on next Wed
nesday evening. May 28. The engage
ment is made in the interest of the Glean
ers Society of the Baptist church, and a
large house is expected.
June Magatiues at the Newsstand.
Warning Order.
f In the Chancery Court of *t. Francis County,
State of Arkansas.
Mb V. I.oslie. Plaintiff.
TS
William V, Lesli* Defendant.
The defendant. William V. Leslie, Is warn*
Od to appear In this court w ithin thirty days
and answer the cumplaintof the plaintiff, Ida
V. Leslie.
Dated May 12. 1900.
GEO. B. MALLORY. Clerk.
Trustees Sale of Land.
NOTICE is hereby given that under the
provisions and power of sale contained
I in a certain deed of trust executed to ni« as
trustee hy .lames Franks on the lllh dar of
September. 1*97. to ei -tire an indebtedness
therein mentioned, to James Fussed, which
deed of trust is recorded in the recorder's of
Bce of St. Francis county. Ark., in book
page 133. default having been made In the
payment of said indebtedness. I. having been
requested by tbe said heneffeiary. will sell at
nubile sale, to the highest bidder for cash. In
front of the court house door, ill the town of
Forrest Cl tv. in said county and state, be
tween the hours of ten 110) o'clock a m. and
three l.l) o'clock n m . on Saturday, the 2tith
day of May. »900. the following described tract
of land in St. Francis county. Ark., to-wit:
| The fractional southwest quarter iSw>t)of
section twelve (12) in township four (4) north.
1 range four (4) east, containing one hundred
i Andlforty-two and sixty-four hundredth* 147.61)
1 acres of land,more or less.
H. II. Gwrw, Trustee.
John G atm no. Attorney.
Forrest City. Ark,, May II, 1900.
ORDINANCE.
An Ordinance to Promote Health and Clean*
liness:
l<e it ordained bv the Common Councilor
the Incorporated town of Forrest City. Ar
, Kansas:
Section I. That it shall bo unlawful to
! throw into the streets and alleys nf this town,
paper, mg*, tin cans, trash,slop from kitchcu,
slops trom windows, rinds from fruit and all
other kinds of gurbuge not tiereiu mention
i ed.
Pec. All persons violating the provisions
of this ordinance shall h» Bund any sums not
more than #10 for each offense.
Pec. 3. All laws and parts of laws in con*
tlict herewith la*, and the same aie hereby
repealed, and this ordinance te take effect
from and after its passage.
Approved May 4, 1900.
J. H. Tipton, Mayor.
Attest: E. L. Varakin. Recorder.
Proposed Amendment to the State
Constitution.
Notice is hereby given that the following
joint resolution, proposing an amendment
tolheState Constitution, was passed by the
General Assembly at its regular session of
1*99. and that the same will lie submitted io
the elecinrs of the Stato at the next general
election to be held September .1,1900, foradop
I tion or rejection, via : w-a
PROPOSED AMENDMENT.
! "The sureties upon the official bonds of all
I State officers shall lie residents ot. and have
sufficient property within the Ptate. not ex
empt from sale under execution, atlachment
or other process of any court, to make good
their bonds, and trie sureties upon the official
| bonds of al county officers shall reside within
the counties where such officers reside, and
shall have sufficient property therein, not ex
empt from such sale, to make good their
bonds. Provided, however, that any surety,
i bonding or guarantee company, organized fur
tbe purpose of doing a surety or bonding bus
iness, anil authorized to do business in this
State, may become surety on the bonds of all
State, county, and municipal officers tinder
suoh regulations as insv be prescribed by law
Approved .May S. 1K99. "
Each elector may vote for cr against above
amendment.
W itness my official signature and seal of
office, this 12th day of February. 1900.
, , ALEX. O. HULL.
[sKAb.l Pecretary of Ptate.
REWARD !
I will pay 85.00 reward for information
as to the whereabouts or $10 00 for the re
turn to me at Ebony, Crittenden county,
Arkansas, a chestnut sorrel, blazed faced.
Stocking feet behind and branded J. S. on
the left shoulder and heavy with foal
when she left home about March 30, 1000.
Last seen between Proctor and the Club
House on Choctaw railroad, fully 1(5 bauds
liiRli- Frank Mays.
Election Prol,.
'VOTIPK |, hereby™*''!?***
-*-N an election a..£n>,,Nlt «c
Pl.ce tn .ho town*''1. ,?' the Jjp
•'f,h,i°l IMsrricr Of I <io*'
No. i.l on I ho thirH u (‘|[. f h
• he 19th .lay of May. 'iq,*,r'!,lr "1 if
electing two iii Seho. I Tv ,or
nr against cuutuy ull S
and voting a tar fni . ,ni,»9f
polls Will be 0p(.n 97r,0,H PtnJfel
at sunset. P 0 •“ » o cl.aek
E Jj. Vadsk.n, Recorde?’ **3
_l orr^< ,»y. Arh/jfcu.. ^
An Ordinnnnp to FlxTiiTr- .
.kvmc.,,iivitas
clared to he tl... nr..
eU town of Forrest ('jo 0f 9<»<li£l!
to build „r iVVc't'any'bjni,h»1* W
any building within the «,or "•
section J of this " m ,I " ''BHtifi
walls of the same be mSSenf11!"**
tar or stone and morts? °f br** «a
tentpi^ er,etu»n^hu'i|tdln,Snuld W
building in violation of !2'?r«',*tiiS
nance, and anv ..art .toT1-1 ^ eiuJ!
I.erohy made tVdu (Jo??! * W
reel the sauip to be t™-,. 2 ,be Ruirai
al or the owner or tiuible?*’,^ Hna'>i
Of tliem, to pull down 1.. "'""i!
after being ,o direct.* *"
punishable ah bereintf?!1 ** **<
the marshal, upon siidrSS****
this ordinance shall"?,"8 p°',.l,f Pr«*i*
not exceedingf|5 oil ar.d ^h",1’19^
tlon of any of the pr*vi,|*?l\,',y
ues shall constitute a H6ii ■aJBh7*1" «
bce .V All ordinanres .m®0**1"9
nances In conflict herewith*
same are lierehy repealed.!!?1 ^ ««
to take effect from and a ij,
Approved May 4. l'.K» r 19 P»h*n
i i
LUXURIES FOR THE FASTI*
a» well as necessaries for tin«
day table, can be securod fron
choice Htock of canned goofc
glass and tin. Our exquisite)
serves of strawberries andCjfi
nia poaches, pears and chw
and our fino vegetables in 4
and tin, are the best. OnrDis
party peas should be tested—ti
have a natural sweetness and
vor that you seldom find ini
ned peas. Remember that 1
every cash purchase of$1 and
ward 1 give away absolotelj i
a handsome, hand painted pint
tablo china. W. T. SAN DEES
JOE A. BECK,
-THE
BLACKSMITH
MAKES A SPECIALTY OF
Blacksmilhing, Horse Shoeing, Wood and Repair M
Corner Rosser and Church Streets,
_Just North of Red Cin.
Fussell, Graham & Co,
A-ltAl EXCH’SlVi; AGENTS
In St. Francis 1
for the
Celebrated
W.B.
Corsets.
For ease and com
fort theso cor
sets are unex
cellod.
• ihmiwhi nn iiitiUKMiiiiKmH'iiiitifiuitrti
I
f In ForrestCitJ
for tho
W.B.
Corsets,
which fit either
long or short
waists. Hand
some values,
sriugfit''nSan“
comfortable.
Tim Best Corset
on earth.
»—^4
Bonos and Steels |
do not push through |
They Bring Happi
ness and Health
tinutniuwau.
Types of
ty and Grace •
BmJtk.
I
CORSETS
are made with PitO
Itectjvk “ Pocket
"CoveEINo” to the
Bones and Stepls. *
This new covering ,
does away with the I
complaint about the '
bones and steels
pushing through.