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Show SUPPRESSING THE LIQUOR TRAFFIC IN LOGAN. The fact that a city ordinance exists in Logan, prohibiting the disposal in any way of intoxicating liquors is very well known throughout the Territory. Many people - among them nearly all the residents of this city, also understand the reasons why such a prohibition was first ordained and is now enforced; and one would naturally suppose that the well defined position, both of the municipal authorities and the whole people, on this subject would be a sufficient answer to all inquiries. But unfortunately, such is not the case. At the last session of the City Council and at several previous meetings, as well as to the Mayor and councilmen personally, petitions were presented or applications made for the right to sell liquor either at wholesale or else at retail in Logan. The particular requests made and the arguments advanced by such applicants are of a varied and curious nature. One petitioner asks for the exclusive right of sale at this point, while another has the effrontery to solicit the rescinding of the ordinance now in force, that the field may be open to all. Such persons assert that if permitted to sell, they will pay any reasonable license, will keep orderly houses and will give bonds, in any amount, conditioned for the observance of such rules as the Council may see fit to impose upon their establishments. Some of them - those wishing to conduct only wholesale business, give the promise in advance, that they will allow no drinking on the premises, but will only sell by the barrel, keg, gallon or bottle. All of these philanthropic individuals with a self-sacrifice which will be apparent to all, represent that the well-being, the happiness, and the prosperity of the whole people here depend upon the selling of liquor; and they signify their willingness to satisfy such a great public want. They contend that surreptitiously liquor is sold here almost as extensively as it would be if regularly licensed houses were in operation; and that, there fore, the evil exists while no compensating benefit is derived. One of the petitioners, evidently possessing a poet's soul, describes, in profuse and ornate style, the many beautiful improvements which could be made here with the magnificent revenue to be derived from such a source; and seems to entertain the idea that in order to relieve the people of the burden of tax paying, to remove the Adamite curse of labor, and to make of this place a pure and bright earthly elysium, all that is necessary is to encourage whisky drinking by the inhabitants. As the climax to their petitions, and in order to enforce a compliance, the applicants usually insert an artfully worded clause to the effect that, while they believe in the right of the city to make all wholesome regulation and while they would not like to be the parties to involve the Council in a suit, still they are firmly convinced that if the question were thrown into the courts, the ordinance would be declared illegal. Every petition of this kind to the Council, no matter by whom presented, has been promptly rejected; and the same fate probably awaits all that may hereafter come. The municipal authorities hold that they would be false to the trust reposed to them were they to yield; and so far as the specious arguments and covert threats are concerned, these have no weight whatever. In the first place, no favor would be conferred upon even a respectably sized minority of the people here by giving license to liquor houses; because the almost unanimous wish of the citizens of Logan was strongly expressed some time since, before the present prohibition was ordained. Liquor selling had been previously allowed but the residents remonstrated against the continuance of the evil in such a way that they could not be misunderstood. Now that the City Council have by ordinance obeyed the wish of their constituents, we are satisfied that they will never rescind that action until a petition, equal in weight at least to the remonstrance mentioned, is brought before them. Therefore it seems that the parties, so desirous of benefiting their fellow-men by selling intoxicants to them, have made application in the wrong quarter. They should first get the consent of the entire people, by whom the City Council are controlled. Again, it is not true that liquor is sold almost as extensively now as when licenses were issued. Without doubt there are places in Logan today where liquor can be obtained; and there are some people who take advantage of the opportunity. But the traffic is conducted with great care, very few people being allowed to become purchasers. In this way drink is kept from those whom it would injure most seriously. Men and boys liable to become unruly and to commit depredations while under its effects can not, as a rule, obtain it, because the parties who sell fear that their own part in the transaction might thus be revealed. A reference to the police court records will prove this assertion. The number of cases of drunkenness, disturbing the peace, &c., was form twenty to fifty times as great when saloons were openly in operation as it is now during the same length of time. Another point advanced - that relating to the magnificent revenue to be derived from this source, merits consideration. It is true that large sums of money would be sent into the city treasury for licenses alone, and that still larger amounts would be derived from the fines of person who would commit all manner of offences when crazed by drink. But where [is] the gain? One of the aldermen of the city would have to spend nearly his entire time performing the duties of a police court justice; several policemen would need to parade the streets day and night; and then, by the time suitable jails with proper attendants and necessary furnishings had been provided, but little of the "magnificent revenue" would remain. But even if it might all be saved from such drains and expended on substantial and beautiful improvements, would Logan be benefited? No, no! All the glorious beauties that art ever designed would be too costly at such a price. This city cannot afford to purchase financial wealth by repaying her people with the poverty of vice and corruption. And there is not a citizen, if called upon for an expression, but would say, with a prominent member of the Council who spoke a few days since: "I never want Logan to have smoothly paved streets and walks, I never want her to have beautiful public parks and gardens. I never want her to have fine public buildings, which are paid for by the ruin of my own children or those of my neighbors." In conclusion: Some of the applicants have gone so far as to say that they could easily secure licenses if they were to carry the matter before the courts. But we entertain a contrary opinion. The prohibition undoubtedly was legally ordained; and any attempt to gain a contrary judgment from a court of justice would probably fail. There is no private individual or firm that could afford to provoke the contest. Logan is comparatively free from debt; and all of her yearly revenue, derived from legitimate sources, would cheerfully by [be] expended to maintain the position taken by her trusted servants. But even if this and all other public resources should prove inadequate to provide the necessary means with which to preserve the city's rights, the struggle would not be ended. There are many private parties - and we are certain that the number includes the majority of the citizens here, who would gladly take the responsibility of continuing the struggle after the city's funds should be exhausted, rather than permit a liquor house to be established within the corporate limits of Logan. The following, which we believe is warranted by official utterance, may, therefore, be considered the fact of the case. It is useless for people wanting licenses for liquor selling to apply to the present City Council; as their petitions will only be considered as of less worth and will ??????? that much blank paper. And it is equally useless to talk of planting a law-suit and thereby bringing the council to terms proposed by applicants; because Logan city, with her prosperous and united people, can and will afford to defend herself in such a suit just as long as any plaintiff can afford to fight. |