Rensselaer Republican, Volume 26, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 March 1894 — A New Temperance Movement. [ARTICLE]

A New Temperance Movement.

A large public meeting was held at the court house Monday, to devise ways and means for fighting the liquor evils. A permanent organization was formed, with the- name of “The Citizens’ Non-Partisan Temperance League.” AY. AY. Reeve is president. Rev. B. F. Ferguson secretary and treasurer, and Messrs.’ Ferguson, Kean, Reeve, and Benja-

min, a committee to solicit subscriptions and membership, and to have general charge of the work it is hoped to be accomplished. The full scope and intention of the organization were not fully’ developed at the meeting, but that such an . organiza tion, if possessed of plenty of wealth, wisdom and moral backing can do a great deal of good, there is no question. They can not in the present state of the law and public sentiment, keep all saloons out of Rensselaer, but they can greatly mitigate the harm they do. There are many excellent provisions in the temperance laws of the state, which, if rigidly enforced against all saloon keepers and other sellers of liquor and tobacco, will have a very salutary effect. Let every oue of these know that he must observe the laws or be rigidly prosecuted, and, if lie is a saloon-keeper, have liis next application for a license contested, and such a policy, if firmly persisted in, will do great good. Such a policy will have the law behin d it and the moral support of the people, while an indiscriminate policy of fighting every application for a license, regardless of the character and record of the applicant, will be lacking in both these necessary elements of strength, and, like all previous similar attempts, will simply exhaust the courage, the funds and the zeal of the temperance forces in a fight fore-doomed to failure

If a saloonist sells to minors, allows them in bis place, sells at unlawful times, sells" to drunkards, allows gambling or keeps a “tough joint” generally, then ‘’slap it to him” at every opportunity, and your work will be effective. But if be is honestly observing all these laws, and keeping a decent place, let him alone and devote your efforts towards reforming those who patronize him.