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Newspaper
Falls City Tribune
Location
Falls City, Nebraska, United States of America
Date
Jul 17, 1908
Page
2
In 1890 Nebraska editors backed high license and local option law to curb alcohol traffic. Letters from leaders like Hon. W. J. Bryan supported the Slocumb law as a flexible, community fitted approach, while critics warned of overreach and political manipulation.
Fremont reader Mare G. Perkins writes June 2 urging that a well regulated liquor law benefits communities more than prohibition. She cites failure of nationwide efforts and predicts Nebraska prohibition would raise drunkenness, bootlegging, and liquor-related crime.
Fr P Compton writes from Greeley Nebraska arguing against the county option prohibition bill. He recounts experiences in Nebraska Kansas Iowa andUtlen Seward and York and cites enforcement concerns and revenue laws as reasons to favor state prohibitory law over county option.
A June 2 1908 letter from Loup City Neb argues against prohibition. The author claims it fails to prohibit, creates criminals among good citizens, and pits neighbors against neighbors, urging repeal of the law or system.
A June 8 1908 address from Wilber Nebraska argues against liquor prohibition highlighting Slocumb law as best regulatory form. The speaker warns of illicit access and mock piety from neighbors while defending local option and moderation amid dry forces celebrations. He condemns discriminatory rhetoric and asserts economic motives behind liquor demand.
A June issue of the Greeley Citizen notes the Merchants and Manufacturers Association of Omaha is not a saloon group but a coalition of local manufacturers and merchants aiming to advance state interests. It calls for equal press freedom and frank public discussion, contrasting with the Anti Saloon League coverage.
BE M Burnham editor of the Wy morean argues that banning saloons may not end liquor sales. He contends prohibition could drive the trade underground to bootleggers and outlaws, and he favors a regulated approach to fund the city with liquor revenue. He warns that shutting saloons may not stop sale of liquor.
Edgar Howard responds to an anonymous reader on the liquor question calling it a major issue needing thoughtful public input. He notes honest disagreement exists over prohibition versus regulation and rejects attacking those who dissent.
A Scribner News report says the Omaha Merchants and Manufacturers association, a business leader group with no liquor trade members, is mounting a strong clash against prohibition and county option. A Western Nebraska Observer letter from Kimball dated May 26, 1908 commends the Slocum law as proper and criticizes dry towns and bootlegger shipments.
A Nebraska county and towns discuss prohibiting mail order liquor to protect local merchants. Arguments cover tax burdens, insurance, and rent costs, with cited cases of cross state shipment and drought policies. Historical notes mention Kansas City and Topeka mail order imports, and Iowa's dry era curbing traffic. The piece argues the federal stance permits cross state shipment for personal use, challenging local bans.
Snyder Tanner manager Gus A W Weber attacks prohibition and mail order liquor, arguing licenses protect towns not jug houses. He cites a depot incident where a package was billed as liquor to illustrate zeal for county option and liquor access.
The Clay Center Sun editor argues Hastings commerce declined sharply after saloon closures leading to job losses. He questions how many workers, including many women, lose earnings as business shrinks and retailers suffer.
One hundred fifty five Hastings businessmen appeal to the city council noting that at the last election a 206 vote majority favored local license policy and contend that city business sickness stems from the current policy.
The writer argues Sterling should have saloons to compare with nearby towns for assessing business, drunkenness, and prohibition issues. Many temperance supporters oppose beverages and call for limits, not overall prohibition, as the best way to curb liquors’ harms.
The Kearney Democrat argues that outlying townships cannot vote on municipal matters. It says county residents should not dictate city governance, warning such cross jurisdiction voting violates law and constitutional home rule. The piece asserts cities should manage their own affairs without county domination.
The town shut saloons at noon Tuesday due to expired licenses and has stayed dry since. Despite prohibition, residents still drink, with a recent delivery from Kansas City illustrating demand. Officials and reformers known as the Water Apostles protest, but patrons will obtain liquor when desired.
Schuyler Free Lance editor Bays reports Omaha business leaders form the Merchants and Manufacturers association to fight prohibition and county option. They back Slocumb law as fair, support a press bureau and distribute literature. The editor aligns with their anti prohibition stance and presents their view of the issue.
The author warns voters against county option claiming it would strip local privilege and force distant mandates. If county option fails, the critic argues no privilege is lost, while urging support for representatives who protect self governance and resist external control.
A speaker cautions that new laws tighten control, noting liberties are given away easily but hard to reclaim once lost. The message warns citizens to resist measures that curtail freedom.
A Hastings Nebrons petition from 150 citizens and business men asks city leaders to act on requests for licenses. They cite a 206 vote majority for local license policy and claim the city’s business suffers under the current policy.
At a Hastings state meeting the Antisaloon League declared opposition to the Slocum law and favored repeal. It also supported county open law as a temporary measure. The Slocum law lets communities ban alcohol if they want it, while county option allows people outside a town to govern the area if they follow one fixed rule.
The editor condemns prohibitionists as unprincipled and aggressive, accusing them of abuse and misrepresentation. The piece supports law and order, endorses licensed saloons, and backs the Slocumb law over bootlegging.
The writer argues intelligent people oppose liquor traffic but favor local license regulation as preferable to bootlegger evils. They note revenue and community wishes should guide policy, even in areas with prohibition.
Syracuse Nebraska town votes to cut expenses after going dry. The town board eliminates street lighting, lowers the treasurer salary, disbands the town attorney office, and consolidates duties under the water and light commissioner as town elects.
The Georgia prohibitory law, effective January 1, halts Aquor manufacture and sale. Savannah Commercial Club reports state agents assess the law’s impact on business. Merchants lose hundreds of thousands monthly to out of state liquor shipments. Georgia commercial clubs seek ways to keep liquor money in state while noting consumption remains unchanged.
The text argues that local option under Slocumb liquor law protects home rule and warns that destroying it would undermine the structure. It condemns county option promoted by the Anti Saloon League as shifting power to rural voters to control village and town taxpayers.
The proposed county option would ignore village and town limits and let county voters block liquor licenses. If enacted, village home rule and local policy would be overridden by county farmers who do not pay town taxes.
The Fort Scott Commercial club secretary says Kansas has seen slower immigration over 24 years due to prohibition blight. He argues the policy hampers material progress, unlike other states where Kansas remains highly productive.
The Denison Commercial club secretary estimates county option in the city burdened merchants and property owners with significant expenses, though the exact amount remains unclear. The policy, enacted in Texas, faced opposition as towns endured the measure imposed against local will.
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