24 September 2012

W.C.T.U is After the Saloon Keepers

Previously, I wrote about Addie (Dyer) Glover's membership in the Temperance Movement in Muskegon, Michigan.  She and her husband, Samuel S. Glover, Jr., were in the paper again.  This time for being on a committee that called for the arrest of saloon keepers who sold liquor on July 4, 1881, which they believed was against the law.  I think I have found where I get my sense of righteousness from. 

The newspaper article and transcription is below.  What happened to the saloon keepers?  A warrant was issued for their arrest...more to follow.


Source:  8 July 1881 p4; column 3 Muskegon Chronicle, Muskegon Michigan



AFTER THE SALOON KEEPERS

The Law will be Meted out to them by our Authorities

A Number of Ladies and Gentlemen enter the Necessary Complaints.

     Wednesday evening at a meeting of The Muskegon Reform Club, the matter of prosecuting all the saloon keepers in this city who kept open house on July 4th, was considerably argued pro and con, and finally the following committee was selected to meet at the office of Nelson DeLong, prosecuting attorney of Muskegon county; Albert Towl, Patrick J. Connell and S.S. Glover, on Thursday evening and make arrangements for the arrest of all parties who violated the liquor laws on July 4.  A committee of the W.C.T.U. composed of Mrs. I.T. Smith, Mrs. S.S. Glover and Mrs. Firman also meet at DeLong’s office for the same purpose.
     Immediately after the 4th, a couple saloon keepers went to certain authorities and offered to pay their fines saying that they had “raked in enough” to pay good fines and to retain a handsome surplus for their day’s labor, which was hautily scorned at.  It certainly would have been an excellent scheme would each one of the said individuals been permitted to “whack up” about $100 for violating our state laws, and thus escape serving out a sentence in Muskegon’s county calaboose wouldn’t it?  But the laws must not be jested with any longer, for that has been performed too often already, their dues being paid and then under some trivial excuse escaping from serving out a jail sentence.  Some of the saloonists acted as perfect gentlemen should and forbade persons entering their places on that day, refusing utterly to violate the law.  Simply for the satisfaction of making a few extra dollars, thus “biting their nose off in order to spite their faces.”

     This morning  10 complaints were entered and warrants issued for the arrest of the saloonists.
Temperance
     Are the good citizens of Muskegon, the Christian people of Muskegon doing all we ought, in this greatest work of the present time, fighting the battle with alcohol or its markers and venders or are we quietly, but surely letting our armor rust unused?  Where are our montly armor meeting of years ago when on Sunday evenings, pastors, and people of all or many of the churches would congregate in one, which would overflow, not only with worshippers, but with good fellowship and unity of feeling, that combined strength would effect great good in this mighty work.  Upon whom does this work devolve?  Will someone answer? Will our blessed Redeemer who died for his enemies tell us?  Will every man, woman and child of responsible age ponder this question and ascertain in his, or her own mind just who is expected to do it and please answer.  There is an awful responsibility resting somewhere amid the present dwellers, upon earth.
                          
Committee.

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