Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 40, Number 77, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 June 1908 — Which One? [ARTICLE]

Which One?

Monti cello Herald: Editor Herald. Mrs. Bp Lk Layman, living west of town, spent a part of last Thursday working against saloons in Reynolds. Saturday morning Mr. Layman received the following letter. Mr. Ben L. Layman: I understand that d —d old Shee devil of yours was out here working against the saloons and that you intend to take a hand in it. Now if you know what-, is good for you in every wgy you will stay w;here you are now take this advice and you both will be better off. I will try and be your friend Borne day. I am not bothering your business so be ware.

The letter wag evidently written by a saloonkeeper or one of his friends. The question is, which one? The seriousness and gravity of this may be understood by the fact that were it not that the law has been technically evaded by not putting the letter in the postoffice the government would certainly administer severe punishment. The writer confesses his inability to find words in which to set. forth the infamy of the above action. There are several kinds of cowards, but the dirty cur who writes anomymous and threatning letters is the most con temptlble. He is in a class by himself, but few sink to his level. A horsethief would be a credit to him.

This is an unusual and aggravated case because the insults, epithets and threats are leveled at a woman. To be capable of such an act one must be morally bald, destitute of principle, and lost to all sense of decency. Nothing but the saloon could inspire an insult so foul and devilish. The saloon Is a bad tree which has-flour-ished too long In the soils of Reynolds. Nothing can make it good. It is getting worse. This unspeakable insuiter and traducer of women is one of the bad fruits of this bad saloon tree, and so long as that tre satnds tree, and so long as that tree stands, insult, assault and outrage of woman may‘be expected. Why keep a thing which Insults and threatens women and law-abiding citizens? The ax, in the shape of a remonstrance, lies at thb foot of the tree. The good citizens of Honey Creek township should take up the ax and destroy the tree. The women of White county should band them selves together to make White county dry forever. A. W. JACKSON.