SECTION IX.

QUESTION.

Resolved, That highlicense is the best means of checking intemperance.

Affirmative.

FIRST SPEAKER.-I. Mr. Chairman: The question before us to-night is the most important that ever occupied the attention of this or any people. The best mode of controlling the liquor traffic is really the subject for debate. If it is not by high license-then what? The American people are willing to enact any law that will hold in check the depraved appetites of those who debase themselves in their desire for drink.

II. Various laws have been enacted, but none seems to throw the proper restraint over the saloon quite as effectually as does high license.

III. With a proper enforcement of a high tax imposed upon those who receive licenses,

the saloons are placed in a position where they are compelled to observe the laws governing them, or the amount paid for the privilege will be lost by the revocation of the license.

IV. High license also makes the saloonkeeper a spy on those who seek to violate the law by selling without authority.

V. Let us suppose a village grants one license at five hundred dollars, or, if you wish, one thousand dollars. Previous to this there were four or five saloons running with unrestraint, nights, Sundays, and all the time. The man has paid one thousand dollars. No others care to invest so much in an undertaking not positively sure of success. The license money is paid, and having this large amount of money at stake the licensee will take care that no liquor is illegally disposed of in his territory. He has paid for the privilege, and if the authorities are neglectful of their duties they will be quickly notified where the law has been violated; so, instead of four or five saloons, the high license has reduced them to one, and that one, with so much at stake, dare not become a violater of the law, or it too may go.

VI. Is it better to have four or five practi

cally unrestrained drinking-places, or only one, and this one compelled by a large money consideration to be a respectable place of business?

VII. With high license all parties are on the lookout for lawbreakers, and when this is the condition of things a restraint is thrown around the entire business, and the evil is abated as far as possible.

VIII. The man who pays high license must keep his place in a manner not displeasing to the better class of people. He cannot afford to encourage drunkenness, as this would become disgusting to others and his trade would be lost.

IX. As the result of high license we can depend on the following mitigations of the evils of liquor-selling:

Sabbath closing.

Prohibition to minors.

No common drunkenness.
No disgraceful conduct.
No gambling.

Caution.

Cleanliness.

Restraint.

Respectability.

Observance of law.

If these benefits are secured by granting the affirmative of this question, then we have indeed taken a grand step in the control of this traffic, which, without restraint, is a mighty foe to mankind.

Negative.

SECOND SPEAKER.-I. Mr. Chairman: From the argument of my esteemed friend, we may make the following deductions: Give me (the saloon-keeper) a monopoly in the sale of death's poison and I will protect your people from illicit selling, and I will make my shop respectable. I will throw restraints around those who are liable to go too far. I will allow no drunkenness or misdemeanors. I will protect the minor. I will be cautious that no one catches me infringing on the law. I will be tidy and cozy, and in every way I will equip my place so that its allurements will attract all the good people who have money.

II. Now, my dear friends, you know, we all know, that the saloon-keeper's observance of law is entirely dependent on the severity of the penalty. With him it is not what is for

the benefit of the community; it is what is for his benefit.

III. If beneficence were his aim he would never take out a license. His mission is to make money for himself.

IV. High license means monopoly. Not abolition of the curse of drink, but an attempt to make it more respectable, more enticing, and consequently more dangerous and damnable.

V. High license means a gilded brightness that will attract young men whom slums would repel.

VI. High license means that the common drunkard must stand aside while we make common drunkards out of those who are in better circumstances.

VII. The statement by our friend that high license means better order, better restraint, and better obedience to law is an insult to those who should enforce the laws.

VIII. It is no argument to say that high license would facilitate the enforcement of the law. Law is law, and the duty of the citizen is obedience under all circumstances.

IX. The only real solution of this question is through prohibition.

X. Our opponents claim that high license.