Local Option-no

The Ann Albor Courier states this week that the public would be pleased to learn the views of the Argus on the local option questionWe are glad that the Courier has awakened to the fact that the public appreciates our views upon the topics of the day. There is no shadow of hesitating about our views upon this question. We don't believe in voting for prohibition under the local option law. Never was a weaker prohibition law passed than the one under which we vote February 27th. It has more holes in it than a sieve. It is weaker than dishwater. It would not prohibit. It would not decrease drunkennees. As we Etated last week, any one under it could sell liquor by the ounce or glass, who could hire a drug clerk and put up a sign. Under the laws of this state, clubs could be formec that could purchase liquor with impunity. The sociability of that life would lead many young men into habits of drunkenness. We have lived under local option law in a community with an immense prohibition sentiment and believe we know whereof we speak. If prohibition carries, it will be due to some of the saloon keepers in this county,who ha ve,broken the laws who have no respect for good order, who have taken the bread from the mouths of famishing wives and children. If this law carries, these same saloon keepers will be found making drunkards. It is the ,law-abiding element of saloon keepers that wil] go out of the business. It will be the brewers of the county who will be compelled to cease purchasing grain and the whiskey makers oj Kentucky and license counttes who will enjoy a boom. I f we believed by voting for this law the curse of drunkenness could be removed fiom this nation, we would support it, but we believe that it means free whiskey and a heavy increase in taxation. If the same number oí saloons continue after May as are now in the county, the liquor tax in this county would amount to $40,225. It is fair to presume that not over one-fourth of this number of saloons will be closed. This will leave a tax of $30,000, half of which will go into the county funds. This is entirely too much money to throw away 011 an experiment which on its face is bound to be a failure. We trust nobody want the name prohibition without ,the reality.