The Proposed Five-mile Act

Au important teraperance meeting was held Snnday morning in Newberry Hall. Prof. J. B. Steere read,apaper on "Ann Arbor, the University and Saloons," in which he spoke strongly against the local saloon evil and the dangers to which the moráis of stndents were Eubjected. He thought that under present conditions it would be d'fficnlt to secure a strorg enforcement of the l'qnor laws. He "believed that drunkenness is on the increase in Anu Arbor. The only means of remedying this state of affairs, he thought, was to spply to the people of the state and serure the passage -f a five-mileact. This law should be enforced by a state constable spiciatly appointed. He examined crit icwlly several arguments which had leen given in oppositionto the proposed act. More speciflcally, the points made by Prof. Síeere were as follow=: A. I. Tiicrt) are 3,000 students in Ann Aibor, mest of th"tn minors, the average age of tl ose in the high school being sevt-ntee)i and of those in the University twenty. 2. They nre away from tluir natural p -otectors. 3. They unite in dangerouf inobs, societies, clubs, etc. 4. They are too numerous to be in any way lookeil after, outside of class rooms, by the authorities of the University. 5. They are already dangerously affected by drink. B. Tliere are thirty-eight saloons in Aun Arbor. 1. All are law breakers. 2. They are especially anxious to setl to studente. 3. They are in manycases in league with gambling places and houses of ill farae. C. The city government. 1. The balance of power lies in the hands of citizpnB of foreign birth in five wards ont of six. 2. These citizens are opposed to the enforcement of restrictive üqnor laws. 3. This is a state of affairs which will require a generation to modify. D. The stilte. 1. It owns and rules the Universiiy. 2. It is its duty to profeet its children trom local conditions of injury. 3. If can do this by a five-mile law and atétate constable. After several renaarks a resolution w "flfored, calling upon the ministers of the Btateto speak of the reform from their pulpits and do all in their power to elect a favorable state legislature. It was further resolved thata committee be appointed to secure the publication of Prof. Steere's addres?. On Sunday afternoon next, at Nwberry Hall, the various ministers of the city will meet together at three o'clock for the purpose of agitatingthe temperance question.