Jasper County Democrat, Volume 18, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 July 1915 — Who Wants Reform? [ARTICLE]

Who Wants Reform?

By JAMES C. KELLY

Reformation of the liquor business by the liquor business, itself, may b# regarded with a degree of suspicion until the motives behind such reform are clearly understood. In this connection it must be remembered that genuine and permanent reform usually comes within. To review a bit of history, let it be here stated that certain evils have grown up in the liquor business. Either the business itself or the demands of the people, or probably both, must bear the blame. Sufficient here to say that there are few features, good or bad, in the business which were not born of a strong public demand. Public sentiment is undergoing a change. The liquor trade must conform to the new demands. If the people say, “We don t object to the moderate use of liquors, but do object to the method in which liquors are dispensed,’’ then that method must be altered. Ascribe to the liquor men what motives you please, the fact remains that they are going to satisfy public opinion and+venture when this has been done, public opinion will not trouble itself about motives. The liquor interests have a business reason for reform. Contrast, if you will, their sincerity with that of the social parasites, who have been capitalizing upon the evils of the liquor trade. These professional reformers, who pass the hat upon every occasion, know only too well that the moulding of the business to meet public approval will put a crimp in the gate receipts. And let me predict right here that their rantings against liquor reform will prove the statement I have just made. Who wants reform, the liquor man who seeks for self-preser-vation, or the demagogue who knows such reform means his own destruction?—Adv.